State of the Team (by the stats)

[Boob-No-More]

@Dan Marang talked about that in his CJ podcast, specifically noting that in addition to his historically low free throw rate, CJ also has had a very low rate finishing at the rim. Over the last several games, however, CJ's rim finishing seems to have improved significantly, which could be the thing that takes him to the next level.

That's the thing that Dame and C.J. have in common, when someone points out a weakness in their game, they work on improving that area. They don't pout or get defensive, they listen to legitimate criticism and work hard to improve their weaknesses.

And this isn't the same thing as having a chip on your shoulder when you feel slighted or disrespected and using that as motivation. This is about being smart, realizing you still have areas for improvement, and working hard to improve those facets of your game.

BNM

 

[Pinwheel1]

CJ's next step is to improve his ability to draw fouls. Despite shooting 45/40/80 on the season, his TS% is actually a pretty pedestrian 54% which is hovering around league average. Being able to drop 21 every night on league average efficiency is great don't get me wrong but if he could get a few more foul shots a game it's going to really cement his status as one of the premier offensive players in the league.

I suppose getting hit a few more times at the rim wouldn't hurt. And I do like his latest CP3 / Steph Curry move where he stops when he feels a defender approaching from behind. But for the most part I really enjoy his ability to stop on a dime and hit the open jumper. His move and his shot is so quick he is not going to draw fouls, because no one is close to him. And that is a very good problem to have. Plus it take less of a toll on his body. Maybe he is fresher in the 4th because of it?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

@Dan Marang talked about that in his CJ podcast, specifically noting that in addition to his historically low free throw rate, CJ also has had a very low rate finishing at the rim. Over the last several games, however, CJ's rim finishing seems to have improved significantly, which could be the thing that takes him to the next level.

I'm not sure about the finishing at the rim thing. CJ has a stellar floater from 10 feet. He avoids unnecessary contact. It'll prolong his career.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm not sure about the finishing at the rim thing. CJ has a stellar floater from 10 feet. He avoids unnecessary contact. It'll prolong his career.

It's not about quantity of rim finishes, but quality. If, when he gets to the rim, he's converting less than half the time, then more attention will be paid to the possibility of that floater, and it will be less accessible to him. If he can convert above 60% of the time when he gets to the rim, then he'll be considered a threat there, and defenders will endeavor more to prevent him from reaching the hoop, making other shots easier, or at least more open.

 

[Dan Marang]

@Dan Marang talked about that in his CJ podcast, specifically noting that in addition to his historically low free throw rate, CJ also has had a very low rate finishing at the rim. Over the last several games, however, CJ's rim finishing seems to have improved significantly, which could be the thing that takes him to the next level.

CJ has kicked up up a notch particularly on drives lately- what's been the bigger factor for his success lately is the fact that he's shooting 65% on the catch and shoot. All season long his pull up game was masterful, but that has fallen to the wayside- around 38%. He's clearly benefitting from the additional attention that defenses are paying to Lillard, and he's knocking down open J's more regularly.

There will be some regression when you're shooting like that- but if he gets hot with his pull up game at the same time?! Well.. you've seen what he's done the last few games.

EDIT: for reference sake- the time period I'm quoting is the month of February. Small sample size but it's a definite change (game plan/execution wise) so I feel it's wise to take a look at it (with a grain of salt of course).

http://stats.nba.com/tracking/#!/pl...&CF=TEAM_ABBREVIATION*E*por&sort=DRIVES&dir=1

 

[Dan Marang]

It's not about quantity of rim finishes, but quality. If, when he gets to the rim, he's converting less than half the time, then more attention will be paid to the possibility of that floater, and it will be less accessible to him. If he can convert above 60% of the time when he gets to the rim, then he'll be considered a threat there, and defenders will endeavor more to prevent him from reaching the hoop, making other shots easier, or at least more open.

Both Dame and CJ are getting to the rim more- but a lot of those "rim looks" are coming in the open court. They've both increased their points in transition and points in the paint over the last month- quite a bit. That factors into the increasing percentage/efficiency at the rim from both of them- CJ is actually drawing less fouls (crazy, right?!) While Dame is getting to the line more often - particularly off the PnR action with a trailing defender.

As for CJ in particular, he's going to the rim more aggressively and adjusting on the fly better. He's not floating towards the baseline/away from the hoop as much on lay ups. But, he's still using the rim to protect his shot a ton (going to the reverse or other side of the hoop). Hell, he even dunked the other night (14th dunk of his career BTW- yes I checked...)

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Maybe CJ can learn to get whistles at the rim like Dame did magically overnight. I'm sure Dame will tell CJ his secret method that has nothing to do with the refs calling reputation instead of the game.

 

[fugawibill]

Maybe CJ can learn to get whistles at the rim like Dame did magically overnight. I'm sure Dame will tell CJ his secret method that has nothing to do with the refs calling reputation instead of the game.

Maybe they should talk to a teacher from the "flopping school" that Harden attends

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Maybe they should talk to a teacher from the "flopping school" that Harden attends

 

[Boob-No-More]

Maybe they should talk to a teacher from the "flopping school" that Harden attends

The school harden "attends"? He's the dean of students with an honorary doctorate in floppology.

BNM

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Postus Prematurus.... OKC about to beat Dallas giving us sole possession of 6th place in the West.

Current Record: 30-27 (6th in West, 3 games behind 5th)
+/-: +1.3 (Tied for 5th in West)
ORtG: 108.0 (7th in NBA)
DRtG: 106.6 (18th in NBA)
SOS: -.31 (23rd in NBA)

Streak(s):
6-0 in last 6, longest streak in nba
10-1 in last 11
15-3 in last 18

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential

After win against Brooklyn...

Current Record: 30-27 (Tied for 6th in West, 3 games behind 5th)
+/-: +1.3 (Tied for 5th in West)
ORtG: 108.0 (7th in NBA)
DRtG: 106.6 (18th in NBA)
SOS: -.31 (23rd in NBA)

Streak(s):
6-0 in last 6, longest streak in nba
10-1 in last 11
15-3 in last 18

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Current Record: 32-28 (6th in West (tie), 3 games behind 5th)
Win %: .533
Extrapolated Win %: 43.7 wins

+/-: +1.3 (5th in West)
ORtG: 108.1 (7th in NBA)
DRtG: 106.7 (19th in NBA)
SOS: -.32 (21st in NBA)

vs. .500 and above: 10-17 (7th in West)

Streak(s):
2-0 in last 2

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential

Postus Prematurus.... OKC about to beat Dallas giving us sole possession of 6th place in the West.

Current Record: 30-27 (6th in West, 3 games behind 5th)
+/-: +1.3 (Tied for 5th in West)
ORtG: 108.0 (7th in NBA)
DRtG: 106.6 (18th in NBA)
SOS: -.31 (23rd in NBA)

Streak(s):
6-0 in last 6, longest streak in nba
10-1 in last 11
15-3 in last 18

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Current Record: 32-28 (6th in West (tie), 3 games behind 5th)
Win %: .533
Extrapolated Win %: 43.7 wins

+/-: +1.3 (5th in West)
ORtG: 108.1 (7th in NBA)
DRtG: 106.7 (19th in NBA)
SOS: -.33 (21st in NBA)

vs. .500 and above: 10-17 (7th in West)

Streak(s):
2-0 in last 2

Projections (from 538):
% chance to make playoffs: 97%
Projected Final Record: 44-38
Seed: 6th, play against Thunder

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-nba-picks/

Current Record: 32-28 (6th in West (tie), 3 games behind 5th)
Win %: .533
Extrapolated Win %: 43.7 wins

+/-: +1.3 (5th in West)
ORtG: 108.1 (7th in NBA)
DRtG: 106.7 (19th in NBA)
SOS: -.32 (21st in NBA)

vs. .500 and above: 10-17 (7th in West)

Streak(s):
2-0 in last 2

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Current Record: 33-28 (6th in West (tie), 3 games behind 5th)
Win %: .541
Extrapolated Win %: 44.4 wins

+/-: +1.6 (5th in West)
ORtG: 108.1 (7th in NBA)
DRtG: 106.4 (17th in NBA (tied))
SOS: -.37 (24th in NBA)

vs. .500 and above: 10-17 (7th in West)

Streak(s):
3-0 in last 3
9-1 in last 10

Projections (from 538):
% chance to make playoffs: 98%
Projected Final Record: 44-38
Seed: 6th, play against Thunder

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-nba-picks/

Current Record: 32-28 (6th in West (tie), 3 games behind 5th)
Win %: .533
Extrapolated Win %: 43.7 wins

+/-: +1.3 (5th in West)
ORtG: 108.1 (7th in NBA)
DRtG: 106.7 (19th in NBA)
SOS: -.33 (21st in NBA)

vs. .500 and above: 10-17 (7th in West)

Streak(s):
2-0 in last 2

Projections (from 538):
% chance to make playoffs: 97%
Projected Final Record: 44-38
Seed: 6th, play against Thunder

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-nba-picks/