Game Thread 2023-24 Game #35 - BLAZERS @ NETS - JANUARY 7, 2024 - SUNDAY -12:00 PM PST - ROOT

[wizenheimer]

Getting shots is an underrated and valuable skill.

Antoine Walker agrees

 

[Tince]

Ant has scored a lot in 4th Q's

however, in that snapshot you showed, there are only 2 players with more averaging more than 6 shots, Ant at 7.0 and Fox at 6.2. I'd imagine those two players average fewer points/shot than most of the others. Ant's at 1.30; Giannis is 1.72, for example

in other words, using raw points is leaving out some pretty important context

His 42/45/95 shooting percentages in the 4th quarter are ALL above the team averages, despite being the #1 focus of defenses, and not having near the support some of the other players have. So it appears him taking more shots is a good thing, especially considering the supporting cast he has in comparison to most others on that list.

 

[Tince]

Getting shots is an underrated and valuable skill.

Especially when you're making them at or above the team averages.

It's one thing to shoot 45/40/90 when you're the #4 concern on the defensive scouting report, and you get to catch the ball open, with the defense rotating at you. It's another thing to do it when you're the #1 concern, teams are blitzing or loading up their help to slow you down. If anything, Ant's scoring & shooting averages understate his value and productivity. Brogdon got good looks because of Ant of OT.

 

[wizenheimer]

His 42/45/95 shooting percentages in the 4th quarter are ALL above the team averages, despite being the #1 focus of defenses, and not having near the support some of the other players have. So it appears him taking more shots is a good thing, especially considering the supporting cast he has in comparison to most others on that list.

but that's why he's leading the league in 4thQ shots...either that or he's just way more aggressive about looking for his shots than any of his teammates

I'm just looking at that snapshot you posted. Compare Ant to LaMelo...Ant is averaging 1.30 points/shot; LaMelo 1.52. LeMelo is shooting quite a bit better on both FG's and Three's. If Lamelo averaged 7 FGA like Ant, he'd be outscoring Ant 10.6 vs 9.1. If Giannis averaged 7 shots like Ant he'd be outscoring Ant 12.4 vs 9.1. Trae Young would average 10.4; Curry 10.2, Maxey 10.1

But even that's not complete context because LaMelo averages 2.6 assists while Ant averages 0.7. In fact, Ant averages the fewest assists of anybody on that chart. And it's not like LaMelo is playing with Curry or Giannis. Charlotte is a worse team that Portland

my point isn't that Ant's 4th Q production isn't impressive, it is. It's that pointing exclusively at points without the context of shot attempts, efficiency, or assists, is kind of misleading.

 

[Tince]

but that's why he's leading the league in 4thQ shots...either that or he's just way more aggressive about looking for his shots than any of his teammates

I'm just looking at that snapshot you posted. Compare Ant to LaMelo...Ant is averaging 1.30 points/shot; LaMelo 1.52. LeMelo is shooting quite a bit better on both FG's and Three's. If Lamelo averaged 7 FGA like Ant, he'd be outscoring Ant 10.6 vs 9.1. If Giannis averaged 7 shots like Ant he'd be outscoring Ant 12.4 vs 9.1. Trae Young would average 10.4; Curry 10.2, Maxey 10.1

But even that's not complete context because LaMelo averages 2.6 assists while Ant averages 0.7. In fact, Ant averages the fewest assists of anybody on that chart. And it's not like LaMelo is playing with Curry or Giannis. Charlotte is a worse team that Portland

my point isn't that Ant's 4th Q production isn't impressive, it is. It's that pointing exclusively at points without the context of shot attempts, efficiency, or assists, is kind of misleading.

I could've made the screenshot with just points, shared it, and said "Ant is the best 4th quarter scorer", but I wanted to show the entire picture. I also did not say anything about Ant being better than LaMelo, let alone the best in the NBA. I'm not sure how anyone could look at Ant's 4th quarter numbers and say they are bad; at one point that was the narrative. The people who were quick to point out Ant being below average in a 4 game sample size, are silent as his numbers have been good/great over a 12 game sample size that includes his below average start.

I shared the graphic, including a bunch of other stats, so people could see a more complete picture. Good, bad, or indifferent. Let me know if I'm way off base for thinking Ant has been fairly good, and certainly not bad, in the 4th quarter.

 

[wizenheimer]

I could've made the screenshot with just points, shared it, and said "Ant is the best 4th quarter scorer", but I wanted to show the entire picture. I also did not say anything about Ant being better than LaMelo, let alone the best in the NBA. I'm not sure how anyone could look at Ant's 4th quarter numbers and say they are bad; at one point that was the narrative. The people who were quick to point out Ant being below average in a 4 game sample size, are silent as his numbers have been good/great over a 12 game sample size that includes his below average start.

I shared the graphic, including a bunch of other stats, so people could see a more complete picture. Good, bad, or indifferent. Let me know if I'm way off base for thinking Ant has been fairly good, and certainly not bad, in the 4th quarter.

from above:

my point isn't that Ant's 4th Q production isn't impressive, it is........

by the way, that Blazer Broadcasting stat doofus said Ant was the 'best' 4thQ scorer in the NBA and he didn't add any context at all. Maybe I was remembering that when I saw your post

 

[Tince]

from above:

Correct. You originally said "using raw points is leaving out some pretty important context" and I'm pointing out that I did provide a bunch of other metrics FOR CONTEXT and never said total points = best or anything along those lines.

 

[handiman]

I enjoy watching the Ant, Malcolm, Sharpe, Grant, and Duop lineup at the end of games.

Can Duop be our Draymond? If so, that could be our Dreath lineup, to steal a term from GSW's Toradol medicine cabinet.

 

[kjironman1]

Correct. You originally said "using raw points is leaving out some pretty important context" and I'm pointing out that I did provide a bunch of other metrics FOR CONTEXT and never said total points = best or anything along those lines.

You guys must type way better than I do.
Just not sure I could keep up with these conversations.

 

[Tince]

You guys must type way better than I do.
Just not sure I could keep up with these conversations.

Whatever ChatGPT spits out, I just copy and paste.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Can Duop be our Draymond? If so, that could be our Dreath lineup, to steal a term from GSW's Toradol medicine cabinet.

No, he does not have the D for that. But remember when we were down 0-3 to Dallas and decided to go big with Zebo, Sheed, and Sabonis together, and things turned around........OK, no comparison, but hell let's try it with Ayton, Grant, and Duop just for the hell of it.

 

[ant]

Fun win, but damn we might not get another for a long stretch. All playoff teams till we see the Spurs on the 26th. Could be a solid 9 game losing streak. Knicks, Thunderx2, Wolves, Lakers, Nets, Suns, Rockets, Pacers

 

[handiman]

No, he does not have the D for that. But remember when we were down 0-3 to Dallas and decided to go big with Zebo, Sheed, and Sabonis together, and things turned around........OK, no comparison, but hell let's try it with Ayton, Grant, and Duop just for the hell of it.

That ought to be this year's motto.