Wes/Batum second best players at their position in the conference

[Draco]

Interesting article from ESPN insider Kevin Pelton projecting the Western All-stars

As it turns out, Bryant isn't the only likely starter who doesn't make my team, chosen based on a combination of performance to date and expected production the rest of the season. Let's take a look.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10168582/nba-early-leaders-west-all-star-squad

Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers
With apologies to Monta Ellis, Manu Ginobili and Klay Thompson, Matthews has been the second-best shooting guard in the West this season. His .645 true shooting percentage ranks third in the NBA. Still, the conference's depth at point guard precludes Matthews for legitimate All-Star consideration.

Nicolas Batum, Portland Trail Blazers
Like teammate Matthews, Batum is the second-best player in the conference at his position, but the West's superb set of power forwards means Durant will surely be the only small forward on the All-Star team.

His rankings are based on WARP, in which LaMarcus is a starter with Durant and Love. Lillard is a reserve behind CP3 and Curry.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Aldridge has played his way into the MVP discussion with a dominant first two months. While he's not as efficient a scorer as you think (his .521 true shooting percentage is below average because he rarely gets to the free throw line), Aldridge's versatility is key to the league's best offense and a defense good enough to contend.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
If Bryant is back by mid-February, it's going to be difficult for Lillard to unseat his more experienced peers in the West backcourt -- a lesson Curry learned last season. Lillard has done everything in his power to earn a spot. He's third in WARP among West guards, behind only Paul and Curry. The second-year guard is running the league's best offense (Portland is averaging 114.5 points per 100 possessions) and has won multiple games with his clutch shots. Per NBA.com/Stats, Lillard's four field goals to tie or take the lead in the final 30 seconds of games are double anyone else in the NBA.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

TRADE BATUM AND WES!!!

It's really quite funny to me that Pelton and Golliver said Wes would be traded, that he couldn't close games, and that he wasn't the answer at SG.

Pelton needs a spread sheet to tell him who is good. Apparently, he can't determine that from watching a Blazer game.

 

[Natebishop3]

One through five, we might have the best starting five in basketball. Dame and LA could be one of the best one/two punches in the league, and Batum is the perfect third start. He can do so many different things. Wes is really just icing on the cake.

 

[Draco]

One through five, we might have the best starting five in basketball. Dame and LA could be one of the best one/two punches in the league, and Batum is the perfect third start. He can do so many different things. Wes is really just icing on the cake.

Our core starting four is lethal. They were all very good together last year and have each improved. I love what Lopez is doing for this team but really if you put Freeland, Leonard, Jeff Withey, a lot of centers from any team with those four guys you have a special group.

 

[Draco]

TRADE BATUM AND WES!!!

It's really quite funny to me that Pelton and Golliver said Wes would be traded, that he couldn't close games, and that he wasn't the answer at SG.

Pelton needs a spread sheet to tell him who is good. Apparently, he can't determine that from watching a Blazer game.

I can understand Pelton, how is he going to follow every single player for every team in the NBA? Relying on stats for a lot of analysis is fine, and he admits to that being his basis for evaluation. But reporters who solely follow one team should know more about players than just box scores.

 

[Natebishop3]

Our core starting four is lethal. They were all very good together last year and have each improved. I love what Lopez is doing for this team but really if you put Freeland, Leonard, Jeff Withey, a lot of centers from any team with those four guys you have a special group.

I disagree. Lopez is an integral part of what we do on offense. Joel isn't even remotely good at scoring. Leonard is probably a better scorer, but not nearly as good at defense or rebounding.

Jeff Withey?

 

[jlprk]

They oughtta just clean house and start over.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

Our core starting four is lethal. They were all very good together last year and have each improved. I love what Lopez is doing for this team but really if you put Freeland, Leonard, Jeff Withey, a lot of centers from any team with those four guys you have a special group.

Hmm, then why weren't we MUCH better last year with that same core four and JJ Hickson as a center?

Gramps...

 

[THE HCP]

Is the cake finally baked?

 

[cmeese47]

If you use Hollingers EWA then Matthews is behind Harden Ellis Dragic and Martin. Batum is still ranked 2nd just barely above Parsons but is behind Leonard and Parson in PER. Matthews is behind Ellis, Dragic, Ginobili, Allen and Martin in PER.

Both of them have been good this year especially Matthews shooting and the team has be great. I am not sure both of them are actually the second best at their positions in the conference. Still it is nice to get good press.

 

[Draco]

Hmm, then why weren't we MUCH better last year with that same core four and JJ Hickson as a center?

Gramps...

Because those four players have all improved a lot since last year, especially Damian. Lopez is a part of it but I suspect the team would be much better with anyone at center.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

I can understand Pelton, how is he going to follow every single player for every team in the NBA? Relying on stats for a lot of analysis is fine, and he admits to that being his basis for evaluation. But reporters who solely follow one team should know more about players than just box scores.

And we know the latter is a pipe dream.