Now that we got a glimpse of McCollum

[ponderguy]

I can't get the vision of him not being able to get around Fisher out of my head. That is bad. Any good guard can get by Fisher.

Olshey already struck out on Leonard. Let's hope it doesn't happen with McCollum.

I am not the biggest fan of Leonard but I hesitate to call him a bust or that he struck out by choosing him. Henson would have been a better choice imo but there weren't many players taken after Leonard that are even as good as he is.

 

[ponderguy]

Batum held him to zero points in the 4th last night.

and he still had 26 points for the game

 

[riverman]

I am not the biggest fan of Leonard but I hesitate to call him a bust or that he struck out by choosing him. Henson would have been a better choice imo but there weren't many players taken after Leonard that are even as good as he is.

I'm convinced Leonard will never be a 5 and wants to be another Dirk..7ft jump shooter. He's about 22 now and when he's CJ or Dames 24, he may have a better understanding of the game. There's talent there, just not sure he's got the big man coach he needs to develop his game. Leonard makes free throws and can run like a deer. He has value, he's just not a quick study on post play by any stretch of the imagination. He's 22..same age as my son who's a senior at OSU this year. When I realize his age, it puts it in perspective.

 

[PapaG]

At 6'3 CJ doesn't have much wingspan it looks like. At any rate, the young man is facing somebody he's never played before every game so I've said before, he's a project. Guy has a good looking jump shot though.

His shot always seems like it's going in, but if it isn't, he does nothing else well at the NBA level.

 

[PapaG]

and he still had 26 points for the game

...on 28 shots, and with zero assists. I'll take it.

 

[Strenuus]

and he still had 26 points for the game

The stats held true, though. 4th quarter is statistically his worst quarter.

 

[ponderguy]

The stats held true, though. 4th quarter is statistically his worst quarter.

it's no wonder why. He is leading the league in minutes played at 38.8/game and is the only player that opposing defenses have to respect.

 

[Strenuus]

it's no wonder why. He is leading the league in minutes played at 38.8/game and is the only player that opposing defenses have to respect.

Eh. He wants those minutes, so he should be prepared for it. That's not really an excuse. If he was a rookie or in his first couple years, sure... but not now.

 

[ponderguy]

I'm convinced Leonard will never be a 5 and wants to be another Dirk..7ft jump shooter. He's about 22 now and when he's CJ or Dames 24, he may have a better understanding of the game. There's talent there, just not sure he's got the big man coach he needs to develop his game. Leonard makes free throws and can run like a deer. He has value, he's just not a quick study on post play by any stretch of the imagination. He's 22..same age as my son who's a senior at OSU this year. When I realize his age, it puts it in perspective.

for sure. I was very unhappy with his play last season but I was being too hasty. He just needs time to develop and he could be the reverse DeAndre Jordan

 

[ponderguy]

Eh. He wants those minutes, so he should be prepared for it. That's not really an excuse. If he was a rookie or in his first couple years, sure... but not now.

Carmelo is the only star on his team right now. Defenses zero in on him and he is still getting 27 ppg on 44% shooting on nearly 1 less shot per game than LMA. The team around him is horrendous and he is still getting more apg than LMA. His assist % is higher as well. It's not like he is underperforming on a nightly basis, it was one game where he was good for the first 3 quarters and was worn out by the 4th. He was 10/22 before the 4th started.

 

[PapaG]

Carmelo is the only star on his team right now. Defenses zero in on him and he is still getting 27 ppg on 44% shooting on nearly 1 less shot per game than LMA. The team around him is horrendous and he is still getting more apg than LMA. His assist % is higher as well. It's not like he is underperforming on a nightly basis, it was one game where he was good for the first 3 quarters and was worn out by the 4th. He was 10/22 before the 4th started.

He's a perimeter player who creates his own offense. I'm not sure why you're comparing his assist numbers to LMA. I mean, one could counter and say LMA rebounds better, but he should, since he's an interior defender.

 

[ponderguy]

He's a perimeter player who creates his own offense. I'm not sure why you're comparing his assist numbers to LMA. I mean, one could counter and say LMA rebounds better, but he should, since he's an interior defender.

I'm comparing them because they are both forwards who are the #1 option for their teams. Anthony plays at the 4 more than he plays the 3 anymore. LMA is rebounding better this year but that can almost entirely be credited to Lopez. Melo is getting 8.7 rpg this year, only .4 less than LMA had last year and is a better mark than any year LMA had before last year.

 

[PapaG]

I'm comparing them because they are both forwards who are the #1 option for their teams. Anthony plays at the 4 more than he plays the 3 anymore. LMA is rebounding better this year but that can almost entirely be credited to Lopez. Melo is getting 8.7 rpg this year, only .4 less than LMA had last year and is a better mark than any year LMA had before last year.

What does last year have to do with anything? What an odd thing to use as a comparison to this year.

LMA 2.9 apg
Anthony 3.0 apg

What exactly is your point?

 

[ponderguy]

What does last year have to do with anything? What an odd thing to use as a comparison to this year.

LMA 2.9 apg
Anthony 3.0 apg

What exactly is your point?

You said LMA is a better rebounder than Melo. The only reason LMAs numbers are better this year is because of Lopez.

 

[PapaG]

You said LMA is a better rebounder than Melo. The only reason LMAs numbers are better this year is because of Lopez.

LMA is a jump shooter who only rebounds because of Ropez.

Got it.

 

[ponderguy]

LMA is a jump shooter who only rebounds because of Ropez.

Got it.

Lopez is fantastic at boxing out and getting his teammates easier rebounds. The move from JJ Hickson at center to Lopez is huge for the teams rebounding %. Last year the on/off trb% for Hickson was +0.1. Lopez this year is at +3.7%. We very nearly rebounded better last year with Hickson on the bench despite his 10.4 rpg.

 

[ponderguy]

LMA is a jump shooter who only rebounds because of Ropez.

Got it.

also, I haven't criticized LMAs shot selection once. Not sure where you're getting that from but it's not me.

 

[PapaG]

Lopez is fantastic at boxing out and getting his teammates easier rebounds. The move from JJ Hickson at center to Lopez is huge for the teams rebounding %. Last year the on/off trb% for Hickson was +0.1. Lopez this year is at +3.7%. We very nearly rebounded better last year with Hickson on the bench despite his 10.4 rpg.

Before LMA went out late in the season, the team did rebound better when JJ was on the bench and LMA was in the game.

 

[PapaG]

Oh, and LMA is a better rebounder than Anthony. To say otherwise flies in the face of statistics. This is a career year for Anthony rebounding the basketball.

Career per/26 rebounds.

Anthony 6.5
LMA 8.2

Anthony is at 8.1 this year per/36. In other words, LMA's career average is better than Anthony's best season rebounding the basketball.

 

[Strenuus]

Carmelo is the only star on his team right now. Defenses zero in on him and he is still getting 27 ppg on 44% shooting on nearly 1 less shot per game than LMA. The team around him is horrendous and he is still getting more apg than LMA. His assist % is higher as well. It's not like he is underperforming on a nightly basis, it was one game where he was good for the first 3 quarters and was worn out by the 4th. He was 10/22 before the 4th started.

22 shots to get 27 points isn't exactly great.

and APG with Carmelo... it's hard to really say that when his most prolific scoring night has him with 0 assists (and again against us the other night)... so APG isn't really his strong suit.

 

[Strenuus]

also, I haven't criticized LMAs shot selection once. Not sure where you're getting that from but it's not me.

Yeah, I didn't see it either.

 

[ponderguy]

Oh, and LMA is a better rebounder than Anthony. To say otherwise flies in the face of statistics. This is a career year for Anthony rebounding the basketball.

Career per/26 rebounds.

Anthony 6.5
LMA 8.2

Anthony is at 8.1 this year per/36. In other words, LMA's career average is better than Anthony's best season rebounding the basketball.

the reason I wasn't comparing their career numbers was because for much of Melos career he was playing at the 3. When he was in Denver he also played with great rebounders like Nene and Marcus Camby. Its only the last season and a half where he has been getting heavy minutes at the 4 spot.

 

[ponderguy]

22 shots to get 27 points isn't exactly great.

and APG with Carmelo... it's hard to really say that when his most prolific scoring night has him with 0 assists (and again against us the other night)... so APG isn't really his strong suit.

I just have a hard time faulting him for a low apg and calling him a ballhog when his teammates are so crappy. LMA puts up more shots and has a worse assist % than Melo and is never called a ball hog or selfish.

 

[PapaG]

the reason I wasn't comparing their career numbers was because for much of Melos career he was playing at the 3. When he was in Denver he also played with great rebounders like Nene and Marcus Camby. Its only the last season and a half where he has been getting heavy minutes at the 4 spot.

So this year counts for Anthony, but LMA's increase doesn't count. LOL

I think we're done here.

 

[Strenuus]

I just have a hard time faulting him for a low apg and calling him a ballhog when his teammates are so crappy. LMA puts up more shots and has a worse assist % than Melo and is never called a ball hog or selfish.

I hear what you're saying. But, precedents are set.

 

[ponderguy]

So this year counts for Anthony, but LMA's increase doesn't count. LOL

I think we're done here.

Lopez is a huge boon to this teams rebounding. I don't see how you can say that he hasn't helped increase LMA's rebounding numbers.

 

[Blazinaway]

Nice game from CJ yesterday

 

[PapaG]

Nice game from CJ yesterday

Maybe it's Mo that's holding CJ back? His shot looked great, which is really all the Blazers need from him off the bench.

 

[BBert]

Maybe it's Mo that's holding CJ back? His shot looked great, which is really all the Blazers need from him off the bench.

CJ's shot was butter. Wow.

 

[Blazinaway]

Nice game from CJ yesterday

well an even nicer game from CJ, the kid has game and nice job runnin the point as well, me like