Three Weeks In...
As someone who takes his “job” as an analyst far too seriously, I struggle with what to write about early in the season. So rather than jumping to conclusions I’ll probably regret after each club has only played between seven and ten games, I thought I’d comment on individual players instead of entire teams.
Rookies
Kevin Durant – This kid leads the league in hype, but after watching him play I don’t really get it. I’m sure he’ll be a good scorer in time, but right now he’s borderline bad. The fact that he’s averaging 20.1 points per game means nothing when you see how he gets them.
Durant is allowed to take TERRIBLE shots from all over the place. A one dribble contested pull-up 3 from five feet behind the line? Nothing but backboard. Seriously, I’ve see Kevin miss the rim from deep entirely about three to five times.
The reason for his poor shooting (38.2% FG & 30.2% 3FG) is simple. He’s too skinny to get to his spots. That lack of muscle also plays into his poor rebounding (4.9 rpg) for his size. But maybe most troubling of all for someone as athletic as Durant is his defense. He’s pretty much clueless on that end of the floor.
Kevin looks like a more athletic version of Adam Morrison right now, with his upside being something along the lines of Glenn Robinson. Since I never saw him play in college I'm only going on what he's done as a pro. And basically KD has a long way to go, but at 19 years old he does have plenty of time.
Jeff Green – I can’t figure this guy out. Not what position he’s best suited for or what his actual skill set is. He’s kind of like a more athletic version of Luke Walton at the moment, or someone that is OK at everything but good at nothing.
Yi Jianlian – I’ve been very impressed with him thus far. Yi can put it on the floor, hit from mid-range to out deep and is an above average athlete for his size. It doesn’t end there though, as he also has a high basketball IQ and understands how to play team defense already. As an example, I’ve seen him come for the weak side to block or alter numerous shots already.
While Yi can rebound some (6.9 rpg) I think he’s capable of doing a better job there. Where he’s really poor at the moment is individual defense. Pretty much anybody blows right by him off the dribble, and he’s no better in the post. He’s kind of a hybrid Dirk Nowitzki/Andrei Kirilenko clone right now.
Even though I highly doubt that Yi is 20 years old, GM Larry Harris deserves credit for sticking to his guns and picking him. Coach Larry Krystkowiak is also worthy of praise for starting Yi over Charlie Villanueva. Nice calls all around.
Al Horford – He looks like he’ll be a double-double guy for years to come. In addition to being able to rebound, Horford can also play defense in the post either on the ball or away from it. The thing with Al is I don’t see him as a star in the league. Solid is the word I’d use to describe Horford, or like a slightly better version of P.J. Brown in his prime.
Jamario Moon – The 27 year old rookie first caught my eye when he beat out Luke Jackson for Toronto’s final roster spot. Well Mr. Moon can play a little bit too. He’s a long athletic swingman that can defend, rebound and finish at the rim. Jamario went from not playing in the Raptors first four games to starting their last three. Not bad for someone who was never drafted out of Meridian Community College and bounced around the NBDL, USBL, CBA, ABA and WBA.
Young Players
Ronnie Brewer – He leads the Jazz in steals (2.7 spg), is third in scoring (14.2 ppg) and sports a 21.11 PER. I think it’s safe to say that Utah has finally filled their SG void. My only question is, why didn’t he play last season?
Jason Maxiell – He’s done a fine job off the bench and filling in for the injured Antonio McDyess (strained left shoulder) as a starter. Max plays with an attitude and is a beast down low. Jason is a HUGE upgrade from the artist formerly known as Chris Webber.
Ike Diogu – Was playing really well (19.01 PER) for the Pacers until he tore his left calf muscle.
Brandon Bass – Is giving the Mavericks quality minutes off the bench and is a productive player for the first time in his career. BB is putting up 9.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 22.9 mpg. His PER of 15.35 blows away his previous high of 9.17.
Darko Milicic – It looks as if he’s finally playing with his head in the game. It’s amazing what a little intensity will do for ya. The days of Darko’s star potential are gone, but I’m sure Memphis will take 10.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.88 bpg and 50.7% shooting.
Andrea Bargnani – I don’t like what I’ve been seeing from him at all. He’s become a stand around jump shooter and nothing else. That wouldn't be so bad if he wasn’t shooting a paltry 38.6% from the field.
Injured
Gilbert Arenas – His left knee is still not right no matter what he says. He’s shooting career low’s from the field (39%) and 3 (21.2%) while committing a career high in turnovers (4.9 topg) . His free throw shooting (75.3%) and PER (16.54) are also the second lowest of his career. Not exactly the numbers Gil was hoping for in a contract year.
Ben Wallace – While there’s no doubt he’s on the decline, I don’t think he’s really this bad. The 5.5 rpg, 3.7 ppg, 1.1 bpg and .7 spg he’s averaging are the lowest since his first two years in the league. Wallace is also sporting career lows in field goal shooting (30.3%) and PER (7.37). Since Big Ben can hardly move out there right now (sprained left ankle) a few games off might not be a bad idea.
Nenad Krstic – Is no where near fully recovered from his torn left ACL. It may be more mental than anything because he looks very tentative on the court.
Larry Hughes – I mean what’s this guy made of, glass? He’s out four weeks with a deep bone bruise in his left leg now. Whether it is ankles, knees, wrists or fingers, you name it, Larry has missed games because of it. What a colossal $60 million dollar BUST!
Nene Hilario – Another $60 million dollar BUST that is constantly injured. This time he’ll miss up to six weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb. I’m sure all the restaurants around his house are ecstatic.
Babies
Stephon Marbury – Leaves the Knicks for a game after being told he was losing his starting spot. Ummm Steph, you’ve never won anything and the teams you join ALWAYS get worse after you arrive. Marbury’s PER has dropped from a high of 21.97 in ’04-05 to 16.52 to 15.36 to 14.47 now. He and Steve Francis are the case studies for scoring PG’s that relied solely on their athletic ability and never learned to play their position properly. This explains how “Starbury” lost his job to the illustrious Mardy Collins and Nate Robinson.
John Salmons – Storms out of the locker room after his first game coming off the bench behind Ron Artest. WHAT?!?! Listen up here buddy, you’re John freaking Salmons for cripes sake. Just because you put up decent numbers as a starter on a bad team doesn’t mean you deserve minutes over Ron Artest. Coach Reggie Theus summed it up nicely when he said, “That's his role, and he's got to make an adjustment. There's really nothing more you can say about it.”
Veterans
Manu Ginobili – Currently has the highest PER in the NBA at 33.27. Manu a renewed pep in his step and is easily playing the best ball of his career.
Jason Terry – Has adapted extremely well to his new role as 6th man putting up 21.8 ppg on 56.8% shooting from the field and 53.7% from 3.
Chris Kaman – Has really stepped up in Elton Brand’s (left Achilles’) absence to average 18.4 ppg, 14 rpg, 2.5 bpg on 49.1% shooting and 89.2% from the free throw line.
Richard Jefferson – Is back to his old self and leads the Nets in scoring at 24.9 ppg, which also happens to be a career high. With Vince Carter (right ankle) out RJ must keep it going as New Jersey’s primary option on offense.
Yao Ming – He’s been dominating like he should so far, but will need to take it up yet another level while Tracy McGrady (right elbow) is out.
Jason Richardson – Has struggled mightily to start the season. He’s jacking up the most shots on the Bobcats (15.8 fgapg) but shooting 39.7% from the field, 42.2% from 3 and 60% from the free throw line. J-Rich, you’re not making me look good here.
Bonzi Wells – Is back from the dead.
Next
Dwight Howard – This dude is an absolute MONSTER. He’s improved his touch around the basket and on short jumpers alike. He also has noticeably improved his footwork in the low post. It’s scary to think how good he’ll be in five years when he’s already averaging 21.8 ppg, 15 rpg (leads league), 2.4 bpg and shooting 54.7%. Even his free throw shooting (65.4%) is the best it’s been since his rookie year.
LeBron James – His jumper is consistently on balance now when he releases it and he squares up his shoulders much better as well. He leads Cleveland in scoring (29.2 ppg, leads league), assists (8 apg), steals (1.8 spg) and blocks (1.7 bpg). Bron is also third on his team in rebounds (7.8 rpg), shooting (47.2%) and 3-point shooting (37.5%). Needless to say, the Cavaliers would STINK with him.
Rookies
Kevin Durant – This kid leads the league in hype, but after watching him play I don’t really get it. I’m sure he’ll be a good scorer in time, but right now he’s borderline bad. The fact that he’s averaging 20.1 points per game means nothing when you see how he gets them.
Durant is allowed to take TERRIBLE shots from all over the place. A one dribble contested pull-up 3 from five feet behind the line? Nothing but backboard. Seriously, I’ve see Kevin miss the rim from deep entirely about three to five times.
The reason for his poor shooting (38.2% FG & 30.2% 3FG) is simple. He’s too skinny to get to his spots. That lack of muscle also plays into his poor rebounding (4.9 rpg) for his size. But maybe most troubling of all for someone as athletic as Durant is his defense. He’s pretty much clueless on that end of the floor.
Kevin looks like a more athletic version of Adam Morrison right now, with his upside being something along the lines of Glenn Robinson. Since I never saw him play in college I'm only going on what he's done as a pro. And basically KD has a long way to go, but at 19 years old he does have plenty of time.
Jeff Green – I can’t figure this guy out. Not what position he’s best suited for or what his actual skill set is. He’s kind of like a more athletic version of Luke Walton at the moment, or someone that is OK at everything but good at nothing.
Yi Jianlian – I’ve been very impressed with him thus far. Yi can put it on the floor, hit from mid-range to out deep and is an above average athlete for his size. It doesn’t end there though, as he also has a high basketball IQ and understands how to play team defense already. As an example, I’ve seen him come for the weak side to block or alter numerous shots already.
While Yi can rebound some (6.9 rpg) I think he’s capable of doing a better job there. Where he’s really poor at the moment is individual defense. Pretty much anybody blows right by him off the dribble, and he’s no better in the post. He’s kind of a hybrid Dirk Nowitzki/Andrei Kirilenko clone right now.
Even though I highly doubt that Yi is 20 years old, GM Larry Harris deserves credit for sticking to his guns and picking him. Coach Larry Krystkowiak is also worthy of praise for starting Yi over Charlie Villanueva. Nice calls all around.
Al Horford – He looks like he’ll be a double-double guy for years to come. In addition to being able to rebound, Horford can also play defense in the post either on the ball or away from it. The thing with Al is I don’t see him as a star in the league. Solid is the word I’d use to describe Horford, or like a slightly better version of P.J. Brown in his prime.
Jamario Moon – The 27 year old rookie first caught my eye when he beat out Luke Jackson for Toronto’s final roster spot. Well Mr. Moon can play a little bit too. He’s a long athletic swingman that can defend, rebound and finish at the rim. Jamario went from not playing in the Raptors first four games to starting their last three. Not bad for someone who was never drafted out of Meridian Community College and bounced around the NBDL, USBL, CBA, ABA and WBA.
Young Players
Ronnie Brewer – He leads the Jazz in steals (2.7 spg), is third in scoring (14.2 ppg) and sports a 21.11 PER. I think it’s safe to say that Utah has finally filled their SG void. My only question is, why didn’t he play last season?
Jason Maxiell – He’s done a fine job off the bench and filling in for the injured Antonio McDyess (strained left shoulder) as a starter. Max plays with an attitude and is a beast down low. Jason is a HUGE upgrade from the artist formerly known as Chris Webber.
Ike Diogu – Was playing really well (19.01 PER) for the Pacers until he tore his left calf muscle.
Brandon Bass – Is giving the Mavericks quality minutes off the bench and is a productive player for the first time in his career. BB is putting up 9.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 22.9 mpg. His PER of 15.35 blows away his previous high of 9.17.
Darko Milicic – It looks as if he’s finally playing with his head in the game. It’s amazing what a little intensity will do for ya. The days of Darko’s star potential are gone, but I’m sure Memphis will take 10.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.88 bpg and 50.7% shooting.
Andrea Bargnani – I don’t like what I’ve been seeing from him at all. He’s become a stand around jump shooter and nothing else. That wouldn't be so bad if he wasn’t shooting a paltry 38.6% from the field.
Injured
Gilbert Arenas – His left knee is still not right no matter what he says. He’s shooting career low’s from the field (39%) and 3 (21.2%) while committing a career high in turnovers (4.9 topg) . His free throw shooting (75.3%) and PER (16.54) are also the second lowest of his career. Not exactly the numbers Gil was hoping for in a contract year.
Ben Wallace – While there’s no doubt he’s on the decline, I don’t think he’s really this bad. The 5.5 rpg, 3.7 ppg, 1.1 bpg and .7 spg he’s averaging are the lowest since his first two years in the league. Wallace is also sporting career lows in field goal shooting (30.3%) and PER (7.37). Since Big Ben can hardly move out there right now (sprained left ankle) a few games off might not be a bad idea.
Nenad Krstic – Is no where near fully recovered from his torn left ACL. It may be more mental than anything because he looks very tentative on the court.
Larry Hughes – I mean what’s this guy made of, glass? He’s out four weeks with a deep bone bruise in his left leg now. Whether it is ankles, knees, wrists or fingers, you name it, Larry has missed games because of it. What a colossal $60 million dollar BUST!
Nene Hilario – Another $60 million dollar BUST that is constantly injured. This time he’ll miss up to six weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb. I’m sure all the restaurants around his house are ecstatic.
Babies
Stephon Marbury – Leaves the Knicks for a game after being told he was losing his starting spot. Ummm Steph, you’ve never won anything and the teams you join ALWAYS get worse after you arrive. Marbury’s PER has dropped from a high of 21.97 in ’04-05 to 16.52 to 15.36 to 14.47 now. He and Steve Francis are the case studies for scoring PG’s that relied solely on their athletic ability and never learned to play their position properly. This explains how “Starbury” lost his job to the illustrious Mardy Collins and Nate Robinson.
John Salmons – Storms out of the locker room after his first game coming off the bench behind Ron Artest. WHAT?!?! Listen up here buddy, you’re John freaking Salmons for cripes sake. Just because you put up decent numbers as a starter on a bad team doesn’t mean you deserve minutes over Ron Artest. Coach Reggie Theus summed it up nicely when he said, “That's his role, and he's got to make an adjustment. There's really nothing more you can say about it.”
Veterans
Manu Ginobili – Currently has the highest PER in the NBA at 33.27. Manu a renewed pep in his step and is easily playing the best ball of his career.
Jason Terry – Has adapted extremely well to his new role as 6th man putting up 21.8 ppg on 56.8% shooting from the field and 53.7% from 3.
Chris Kaman – Has really stepped up in Elton Brand’s (left Achilles’) absence to average 18.4 ppg, 14 rpg, 2.5 bpg on 49.1% shooting and 89.2% from the free throw line.
Richard Jefferson – Is back to his old self and leads the Nets in scoring at 24.9 ppg, which also happens to be a career high. With Vince Carter (right ankle) out RJ must keep it going as New Jersey’s primary option on offense.
Yao Ming – He’s been dominating like he should so far, but will need to take it up yet another level while Tracy McGrady (right elbow) is out.
Jason Richardson – Has struggled mightily to start the season. He’s jacking up the most shots on the Bobcats (15.8 fgapg) but shooting 39.7% from the field, 42.2% from 3 and 60% from the free throw line. J-Rich, you’re not making me look good here.
Bonzi Wells – Is back from the dead.
Next
Dwight Howard – This dude is an absolute MONSTER. He’s improved his touch around the basket and on short jumpers alike. He also has noticeably improved his footwork in the low post. It’s scary to think how good he’ll be in five years when he’s already averaging 21.8 ppg, 15 rpg (leads league), 2.4 bpg and shooting 54.7%. Even his free throw shooting (65.4%) is the best it’s been since his rookie year.
LeBron James – His jumper is consistently on balance now when he releases it and he squares up his shoulders much better as well. He leads Cleveland in scoring (29.2 ppg, leads league), assists (8 apg), steals (1.8 spg) and blocks (1.7 bpg). Bron is also third on his team in rebounds (7.8 rpg), shooting (47.2%) and 3-point shooting (37.5%). Needless to say, the Cavaliers would STINK with him.
posted by D$ at 4:09 PM
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