The Official 2015-16 Media Day Thread......

[blue9]

I wouldn't go that far. As has been pointed out by others, his defense on Zach kind of suggests otherwise.

That was entirely a personal battle - he did that for himself, not for his team.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wouldn't go that far. As has been pointed out by others, his defense on Zach kind of suggests otherwise.

Yeah, but he wasn't the guy that lit up Houston the previous year. Not even close.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Yeah, but he wasn't the guy that lit up Houston the previous year. Not even close.

I imagine you expend a lot more energy on the defensive end guarding Z-bo than defending Terrence Jones. It was a completely different situation. I agree he wasn't as good, but I don't attribute that to lack of effort.

 

[Mediocre Man]

That was entirely a personal battle - he did that for himself, not for his team.

I must have missed that article

 

[blue9]

I imagine you expend a lot more energy on the defensive end guarding Z-bo than defending Terrence Jones. It was a completely different situation. I agree he wasn't as good, but I don't attribute that to lack of effort.

Z-Bo defended LMA better than LMA defended Z-Bo. Let that sink in for a minute.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Z-Bo defended LMA better than LMA defended Z-Bo. Let that sink in for a minute.

Their statistical comparison for last year's playoffs suggests otherwise.

 

[blue9]

Their statistical comparison for last year's playoffs suggests otherwise.

LMA's FG% dropped 13.6%, and he never shot >38.2% for the series.
Z-Bo's FG% dropped 12.7% and he had one game where he shot 50%.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

LMA's FG% dropped 13.6%, and he never shot >38.2% for the series.
Z-Bo's FG% dropped 12.7% and he had one game where he shot 50%.

Zach's 50% game had 12 FGA; every other game he was under 37%. The total FG% for the series--33% for LA, 34% for Zach, a negligible difference. However, LA got to the line a lot more (46 times to Z-Bo's 12) and therefore actually had a higher TS% and eFG%. He also significantly outrebounded Z-Bo (21 ORB to Zach's 13, 56 TRB to Zach's 42) and blocked more shots (12-0) while committing fewer fouls (16-18).

LA clearly expended a lot more energy on the defensive end of the floor (certainly connected to Z-Bo's offensive game being more physical and difficult to defend). Based on the numbers, t's silly to say that he quit on the team in the playoffs.

 

[BBert]

IMO, from my observation deck on my couch, LaTex quit after Game 2. Not remotely the same player. I'd rather see a guy put it all on the line and fail, than read the handwriting on the wall and quit. Good riddance. I am soooo much happier with Dame leading this team, win or lose.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

LMA's FG% dropped 13.6%, and he never shot >38.2% for the series.
Z-Bo's FG% dropped 12.7% and he had one game where he shot 50%.

Can we also factor in Tex Gave Up into that drop, though?

 

[Natebishop3]

I am soooo much happier with Dame leading this team, win or lose.

Exactly this. Obviously the season hasn't started yet, so we don't have a lot to go off of, but Dame has shown more leadership in a couple months of the offseason than I saw/heard about Aldridge in the nine years he was in Portland.

 

[THE HCP]

As fierce a competitor Dame is, I could see him getting in peoples face about stuff like CP3 does this season. And I believe that's a good thing.

 

[Strenuus]

As fierce a competitor Dame is, I could see him getting in peoples face about stuff like CP3 does this season. And I believe that's a good thing.

Are you saying Plumlee is going to grab a rebound and not dunk it to win a game... instead, he holds on to the ball while Dame is screaming at him.

(seriously, that was the funniest thing all year)

 

[Natebishop3]

(seriously, that was the funniest thing all decade)

FTFY

 

[Strenuus]

FTFY

BEST FIX IN THE LAST DECADE

HYPERBOLE IS GREAT!

(Though, you are correct. It's up there.)

 

[Natebishop3]

BEST FIX IN THE LAST DECADE

HYPERBOLE IS GREAT!

(Though, you are correct. It's up there.)

It shall never touch Van Gundy hanging on Mourning's leg while he tries to fight with Larry Johnson.

 

[THE HCP]

I forgot about that crazy play!