khandor’s sports blog

Despite what some might have you think …

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Rose leading charge for Bulls

Derrick Rose may not make the All-Star team, especially since the votes were all in before the Bulls’ win Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, but he’s finally emerging as a star. His impressive performance on the road against the Thunder — 13-of-23 from the floor (56.5 percent), seven assists, just two turnovers — was the latest in a series of virtuoso efforts.

It seems that the only thing that was holding him back the first month and a half of the season was the ankle injury he suffered in training camp. Check out his monthly splits:

• November: 16.2 points, 5. 3 assists, 46.4 percent shooting
• December: 20.4 points, 6.1 assists, 45.0 percent shooting
• January: 23.5 points, 6.5 assists, 51.4 percent shooting

Thanks to Rose, the Bulls are 12-5 in their past 17 games, including 10 road games. Out of the blue, Chicago stands in complete control of the No. 8 seed in the East and in position to surge as high as No. 5 by the end of the season.

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the recently improved performance of the Bulls has not been rooted, soley, in the increased scoring production of their 2nd-yr PG, considering:

I. The shift of Kirk Hinrich into the Starting OG position;

II. The shift of John Salmons into the Sixth Man Role [i.e. coming off the bench];

III. The return of Tyrus Thomas, from the injured list …

Tyrus Thomas Regular Season  - Game Log							FG					3PT						FT					Rebounds					Misc
Oppo	Score	GS	Min		M	A		Pct		M	A		Pct		M	A	Pct			Off	Def	Tot			Ast	TO	Stl		Blk	PF	Pts
@ OKC	W 96-86	0	18:32		6	8		75.0		0	0		N/A		1	1	100.0			3	2	5			1	5	1		2	3	13
@ SAS	W 98-93	0	21:33		1	4		25.0		0	0		N/A		0	0	N/A			2	5	7			0	1	1		2	0	2
@ HOU	W 104-97	0	23:35		3	5		60.0		0	0		N/A		1	2	50.0			0	4	4			1	2	0		6	4	7
@ PHO	W 115-104	0	20:56		1	7		14.3		0	0		N/A		1	2	50.0			0	7	7			2	0	1		2	0	3
@ LAC	L 97-104	0	36:19		8	11		72.7		0	0		N/A		2	4	50.0			0	6	6			1	1	2		3	6	18
@ GSW	L 97-114	0	19:48		2	7		28.6		0	0		N/A		0	0	N/A			1	8	9			0	1	0		1	6	4
WAS	W 121-119	0	27:33		1	1		100.0		0	0		N/A		2	2	100.0			2	2	4			0	0	0		2	3	4
@ BOS	W 96-83	0	17:15		2	8		25.0		0	0		N/A		1	4	25.0			6	1	7			1	1	4		0	3	5
DET	W 120-87	0	26:09		3	6		50.0		0	0		N/A		1	1	100.0			2	4	6			1	0	6		2	1	7
MIN	W 110-96	0	21:42		3	7		42.9		0	0		N/A		3	4	75.0			0	5	5			0	6	2		3	5	9
@ MIL	L 93-96	0	29:19		1	4		25.0		0	0		N/A		2	2	100.0			0	5	5			2	1	1		1	2	4
@ CHA	L 108-113	0	22:48		2	5		40.0		0	0		N/A		2	6	33.3			1	4	5			3	1	1		2	2	6
OKC	L 85-98	0	20:37		3	12		25.0		0	0		N/A		1	1	100.0			3	3	6			2	3	0		1	2	7
ORL	W 101-93	0	14:59		3	7		42.9		0	0		N/A		0	0	N/A			1	4	5			1	2	1		0	4	6
Oppo	Score	GS	Min		M	A		Pct		M	A		Pct		M	A	Pct			Off	Def	Tot			Ast	TO	Stl		Blk	PF	Pts
@ DET	W 98-87	0	27:31		4	6		66.7		0	0		N/A		11	14	78.6			4	3	7			2	3	2		1	1	19
IND	W 104-95	0	31:08		2	10		20.0		0	0		N/A		4	4	100.0			2	13	15			3	5	1		3	1	8
NOR	W 96-85	0	32:15		10	17		58.8		0	1		0.0		1	3	33.3			0	9	9			2	3	1		2	2	21

each of which coincided with the Bulls’ game against New Orleans [Dec 26];

and,

IV. The continued solid play of Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and Brad Miller, since the start of the season.

The truth of the matter is that during this specific stretch of games played, the Bulls’ head coach … the once-beleaguerd Vinnie Del Negro … not Derrick Rose [PG], has actually been the person most responsible for Chicago’s improved W-L record.

In an effort to build further on a specific request which was made of yours truly this past weekend …

This is the recap which Kelly Dwyer [BDL] posted concerning Saturday’s Chicago Bulls/Boston Celtics game:

Behind the Box Score, where the C’s outclassed the Bulls

This is the specific comment [#9] which yours truly then contributed:

KD,

PART ONE

When I was an active contributor to the Blog-a-Bull comment section 2 seasons ago, I did my best to inform the regulars there that Chicago’s problems at that time were NOT rooted in the poor [shot-happy] play of one Ben Gordon and that, instead, what the Bulls needed to do was:

1. Use Ben Gordon as their Starting Point Guard;

2. Use Thabo Sefolosha as their Starting Off Guard;

3. Use Luol Deng as their Starting Small Forward;

4. Use Tyrus Thomas as their Starting Power Forward;

5. Use Joakim Noah as their Starting Center; and,

6. Trade Kirk Hinrich, in return for either: A. The Scoring Player they needed to bring off their bench; or, B. An Interior Scoring Center.

Unfortunately …

7. Most Bulls fans were under the delusional impression that Captain Kirk was a better NBA player than Gentle Ben;

8. Ben Gordon was incapable of succeeding as a Prime-time PG, in the NBA, and was the player who Chicago needed to trade, in order to improve their prospects for the future.

If the Bulls would have done what I suggested and then Derrick Rose fell into their lap in the 2008 NBA Draft, they would not be where they are today.

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PART TWO

How to fix the Bulls’ problems right now?

1. Cut Lindsey Hunter

2. Sign Von Wafer.

3. Scale back Derrick Rose’s MPG to 32.

4. Increase Pargo’s MPG to 16, as the Primary Back-up PG.

5. Sign a post-up Guard-Forward like, Bonzi Wells.

6. Use Aaron Gray as their Starting Center [until Tyrus is healthy].

7. Use Joakim Noah as their Starting Power Forward [until Tyrus is healthy].

8. Use the following rotation:

STARTERS
Rose + Wafer + Deng + Noah + Gray

KEY SUBS
Pargo + Hinrich + Salmons + Gibson + Miller

RESERVES
Wells + Johnson

That 12 man team, right there, would be good enough to make the playoffs in the EC this season.

Cheers

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Then, this is the follow-up comment [#13] submitted by Keith Singer:

Hi Khandor,

You’ve done an excellent job of analyzing the Bull’s problems and made intelligent suggestions. Here are a few thoughts for you. Please respond on the forum or via e-mail, your choice (ksinger@kasesq.com).

1. Ben Gordon- Bulls management may have undervalued the contributions of Ben Gordon or they may have recognized his talents but decided that the asking price was too high. They probably felt that Gordon was too small to guard some 2’s and his defense was sub-par. They obviously thought that Salmons would step in and continue his production of last year. Personally, I felt Salmons would drop off closer to his career numbers. His defense was expected to be better than Gordon’s but that D has been disappointing. They probably felt that the cap space saved would be better spent on a free agent in 2010 than on Gordon. We won’t be able to assess the wisdom of their choice until the summer.

2. Derrick Rose- I think they expected a big season from Rose; they couldn’t have known that he would experience an ankle injury. Part of the failure of the current team is the sub-par year that Rose has experienced, thus far.

3. Tyrus Thomas- They couldn’t have anticipated the injury to Tyrus Thomas. I think they believed that Thomas would have been the starting PF all year. Yes, Taj Gibson is a rookie and looked good but Bulls Management expected a career year from Thomas. When Noah is out of position trying to block a shot or overmatched in girth, Thomas could double team or grab a rebound for which Noah would be out of position.

4. Aaron Gray- I think your point about Gray is interesting. I am not sure if Gray is as good as you think. Although I agree with you that he is on the roster and large enough to keep the larger centers out of the lane. We have not seen him play enough but giving him a chance is not a bad idea. Look at the Dallas Mavericks, they are utilizing a platoon system with Dampier and Drew Gooden. That could work with Noah and Gray as well.

5. Kirk Hinrich- I agree that Kirk Hinrich is overrated. He has had a sub-par season thus far. He was touted for his shooting and defense; both aspects of his game have been missing. The Bulls did sign a back up in Pargo, however he is a scorer more than a pass first point guard.

6. Von Wafer- It is tantalizing to think about his potential and how he could help the Bulls or any other team for that matter. However, you must remember the problems that Rick Adelman had with him. Adelman has proven that he is a fantastic coach but could not get Wafer to listen and learn his system. Other point guards are available like Brevin Knight who was a pass first point guard. I don’t know about his conditioning and ability to play today.

7. Bonzi Wells- An inside scorer would help the Bulls but Bonzi Wells caused trouble wherever he went. They would be better served looking for a post up player in 2010 free agency.

I think you make some good points and the Bulls certainly have their work to do the rest of the year and over the summer to improve. They are definitely not playing at the same level as the Celtics; but remember the Celtics are an older team. They Bulls should be building a younger team that will compete for a championship in future when the Celtics are rebuilding. Regarding the article by Kelly Dwyer, I couldn’t agree more. Luol Deng played well while the rest of the team was not as talented and not as well prepared as the Celtics. The Bulls do have their work to do but they do have cap money to spend in 2010.

Best regards,

Keith Singer, Esq.

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Hopefully, Keith [and KD] won’t mind too much if we shift the discussion over to this location … i.e. to allow it room to grow in a place where it will be easier to moderate and ensure that other interested parties can have direct access to it without first having to sort through a series of unrelated comments.

Keith,

The answers to your specific questions are as follows:

1. Chicago’s management … and a great many of the Bulls fans … have been wrong about the specific skill-set which Ben Gordon brings to the table in the NBA game.

Yes, Ben Gordon is a shorter Off Guard, when it comes to checking some of the taller #2/3′s in the NBA.

However …

I. Ben Gordon is not considered a shorter player when he’s used defensively to check the Point Guard position. If he’s allowed to use his height/size to advantage … i.e. by gapping … and not required by his coach to apply “turn-the-screws” defensive pressure at all times, Ben Gordon is a capable defender at the PG position.

II. If/when Ben Gordon plays beside Derrick Rose, they become almost inter-changeable, at the PG and OG positions, minimizing any height advantage an opponent’s taller OG might have … due to the fact that the opponent’s guard tandem would then have to:

i. Cope with the Bulls’ ad hoc ”Switchability”, on defense, while still maintaining a physically solid player [Gordon/6-3, 200; Rose/6-3, 190] against their scoring/shooting guard [e.g. Ray Allen/6-5, 205; or, Kobe Bryant/6-6, 205]; and,

ii. Cope with the Bulls’ ad hoc “ability to generate high percentage shots which stem from dribble penetration” by either Rose or Gordon, for both [A] themselves and/or [B] their less dynamic teammates.

iii. Cope with the Bull’s ensuing height/size advantage at the Point Guard position, while attempting to Rebound and Defend against Rose and Gordon.

On Offense, Gordon’s specific skill-set [i.e. his ability to create his own shot and stretch the defense with long range 3's] is a terrific pairing with Rose’s ability to dribble penetrate.

III. On offense, when Derrick Rose is out of the game …

If Ben Gordon is used at the PG position, what’s required is:

* 1st, to get the ball out of his hands

[e.g. with a simple pass to either wing]

* 2nd, to get the ball back into his hands, in a scoring position, from a designated action which also allows his teammates to touch the ball

[e.g. with a simple UCLA cut/back screen to the block; and a straight-forward "Single-Double" action, Ben Gordon becomes a devastating scoring Combo Guard, in the mode of Vinny "The Microwave" Johnson.]

Used in this fashion, Ben Gordon is a High Level NBA player … who is worth every penny of a large, long term contract.

Chicago made a BIG MISTAKE in letting him go this past summer.

[Please Note: While there's a great deal to like about the specific skill-set which John Salmons has, as a Big Guard, when the starting SF on your team is Luol Deng ... who specializes in the mid-range game, as well, without really being able to stretch the D with the 3, or slash to the hoop in a first-class way ... then, it is simply not a good fit using him for major minutes beside a PG like Derrick Rose, who struggles with his perimeter jump-shot and a Center like Joakim Noah, who is not a high precentage back-to-the-basket scorer, or an efficient mid-range jump-shooter.]

2. Yes, Derrick Rose’s ankle injury has significantly reduced his overall effectiveness, so far this season … but, primarily it’s because Chicago has not yet replaced Ben Gordon’s ability to stretch the defense with long range 3′s and create open shots for himself and/or his teammates. If Rose still had this type of player beside him in the line-up for major minutes, his limited agility/mobility/explosiveness/etc. would not be such a detriment to the Bulls.

3. Yes, losing an athletic, energetic and exuberant Power Forward like Tyrus Thomas, for a major stretch of games, has been a huge factor in the Bulls’ poor play this season. In partnership with terrific overall athletes like Rose, Gordon and Noah [i.e shot-blocker #1A], last season Thomas [i.e. shot-blocker #1] gave Chicago 4 starting players who were each capable of Rebounding and Defending multiple positions on the floor during any given possession … which is a major advantage for a team.

4. It’s a total fallacy that a player needs to have a high degree of “NBA talent” in order to play effectively at the Center position. What matters most is:

- Does a player have the speed and quickness and stamina required to run the floor consistently in transition?

- Does a player have a solid frame with adequate size [i.e. some combination of girth, strength and length]?

- Does a player have a solid aptitude for the game [i.e. the ability to read the game and play with/off his teammates]?

- Does a player have solid eam attitude [i.e. unselfishness]?

- Does a player have a specific type of shot which he can make on a consistent basis [i.e. Catch & Shoot mid-range jump-shot; Drop-step power lay-up; Turn-around jump-shot; etc.]

- Does a player have the ability to pass the ball with his back to the basket? 

If the answers to these questions are, “Yes”, then the player can succeed playing the Center position in the NBA. 

The two simple equations look like this:

OPTION #1. The less “NBA athletic” talent a player has at the C position the more “NBA athletic” talent his 4 teammates must be.

OPTION #2. The more “NBA athletic” talent a player has at the C position the less “NBA athletic” talent his 4 teammates can be.

Aaron Gray [C, 7-0, 270] is plenty “good enough” to be used for spot minutes in the NBA.

5. Kirk Hinrich simply hasn’t been the same player since he lost his spot with the USA National Team.

IMO, no other player who participated with the USA national teams that failed to win Gold Medals at the 2002 and 2006 World Championships, and the 2004 Olympic Games, has been [psycho-emotionally] “damaged” more by those specific losses … and the impression which they created across the NBA … than Captain Kirk. It’s a real shame, too, as prior to his experience with that team … where his confidence was shot … he was on track to have an outstanding pro career, as a highly versatile Combo Guard, who could do a little bit of everything fairly well without excelling at any specific aspect of the game.

6. Von Wafer can be a difficult player to handle … but, only if your roster is filled with other players who are just as good or better than he is, as an explosive scorer at the wing position. This is not the situation with the Bulls current line-up.

7. Bonzi Wells … signed to a 1-yr, NBA veteran’s minimum contract … would not be a difficult player for the Bulls’ to incorporate at this time. When he knows his role, and is actually used in that role, exclusively, he becomes a very valuable post-up scorer for a team like Chicago, without a high percentage post-up player on its current roster. To get the Bulls to next season, without being totally embarrassed this year, he becomes a decent, inexpensive add that effectively addresses a specific short term need.

Thanks for your feedback!

re: How an astute NBA observer might expect the first part of the schedule to unfold for the Raptors this year

Game 8– vs Chicago [Wed Nov 11]

 

RAPTORS		ADV	BULLS
PG	Calderon	à	PG	Rose
OG	DeRozan *	à	OG	Hinrich
SF	Turkoglu $^	=	SF	Deng
PF	Bosh	ß	PF	Thomas
C	Bargnani	=	C	Noah
PG	Jack #	ß	PG	Pargo $
OG	Belinelli ^	=	OG	Salmons
SF	Wright ^	=	SF	Johnson *
PF	Evans ^	ß	PF	Gibson *
C	Nesterovic $	=	C	Miller
G/F	Douby	=	G	Hunter
PF	Johnson ^	=	C	Gray
HC	Triano	à	HC	Del Negro
+3		OUTCOME	+3
Legend: ADV – Individual match-up advantage; * - 2009 NBA Draftee; ^ - Acquired via trade; # – Restricted free agent; #M – Restricted free agent, matched offer; $ – Unrestricted free agent; $R – Unrestricted free agent, re-signed; $^ – Acquired via Sign & Trade; Italics – Returning player.

The Bulls will be a significantly bigger team than they were for much of last season, substituting Luol Deng at the #3/SF position in place of John Salmons, shifting Salmons to the #2/OG position in place of Ben Gordon, and then introducing 2 athletic 1st Round Draft Picks … each with good size at their position … into their rotation at the back-up #3/SF-#4/PF and #4/PF positions, i.e. James Johnson [No. 16, overall] and Taj Gibson [No. 26, overall], respectively. Last year’s arrival of Derrick Rose [PG, 2008 No. 1, overall, Draft Pick], in conjunction with Joakim Noah [C, 2007 No. 9, overall Draft Pick] and Tyrus Thomas [PF, 2006 No. 4, overall Draft Pick], means that Chicago now has a collection of talented young players that can rival the other up-and-coming teams across the NBA. Given the invaluable experience the Bulls gained from their epic 1st Round playoff loss to the Celtics, this team is going to be a dangerous squad this year … but, one which is still going to suffer periods of inconsistency considering the youth on the roster. Playing their 3rd game in 5 days and the 2nd half of a back-2-back, Chicago should be in a vulnerable position for this game … with the Raptors in desperate need of a home-court victory to get back on the right track after their disappointing road trip. 

Raptors expected W-L Record: W, 3-5

FINAL SCORE: Raptors 109, BULLS 98
Complete Game Info

———-

Earlier this season, Scott G., an astute NBA observer with a backgound in the game as a former university player, asked if this corner might be able to unearth some more information about what was casually referred to here as The Jason Kapono Effect on this year’s Toronto Raptors.

Although some might find it hard to believe, yours truly is a rather busy camper these days and doesn’t have nearly as much time available to devote to an in-depth statistical analysis of all-things Raptors, especially, in a season like this one … which has seen the team plummet to 13th place in the EC Standings.

Still, whenever possible, it’s a pleasure to provide a brief glimpse of something specific like this for a first-class individual like Scott G., if the opportunity presents itself, admittedly, in a limited way.

Such was the occasion last night, for the Raptors’ final game of the 2008-2009 season, versus the Chicago Bulls [7th place in the EC].

This is how the game played out for the Raptors:

TORONTO RAPTORS’ SHIFT TRACKER Wed Apr 15 2009 at Chicago Bulls
#	Time	1	2	3	4	5	Diff
1st Quarter
1	08:42	Calderon	Parker	Marion	Bosh	O’Bryant	+13
2	01:30	Calderon	Parker	Marion	MBonsu	Bosh	0
3	01:09	Ukic	Parker	Marion	MBonsu	Bosh	+1
4	00:39	Ukic	Parker	Marion	MBonsu	O’Bryant	0
2nd Quarter
5	01:46	Ukic	Kapono	Graham	MBonsu	O’Bryant	-2
6	02:59	Ukic	Kapono	Graham	Bosh	O’Bryant	+4
7	00:54	Calderon	Kapono	Graham	Marion	Bosh	-5
8	01:57	Calderon	Parker	Kapono	Marion	Bosh	-7
9	03:37	Calderon	Parker	Marion	Bosh	O’Bryant	+3
10	00:25	Calderon	Parker	Graham	Marion	Bosh	+4
11	00:22	Calderon	Ukic	Graham	Marion	Bosh	0
3rd Quarter
12	06:21	Calderon	Parker	Marion	Bosh	O’Bryant	+1
13	02:13	Calderon	Parker	Marion	Bosh	Voskuhl	0
14	01:39	Ukic	Parker	Marion	Bosh	Voskuhl	+2
15	00:47	Ukic	Kapono	Graham	Bosh	Voskuhl	0
4th Quarter
16	03:04	Ukic	Kapono	Graham	Marion	O’Bryant	+1
17	03:30	Calderon	Kapono	Graham	Marion	Bosh	-5
18	05:05	Calderon	Parker	Kapono	Marion	Bosh	+1
19	00:21	Calderon	Parker	Kapono	Graham	O’Bryant	-1
LEGEND: Bold – Player subbed into game; Italics – Player shifted to different position.

 

and this is how things looked from a “Best Raptors” and “Best Bulls” on the floor perspective, according to the rudimentary k-PER [i.e. khandor's Player Efficiency Rating] which was explained here last week:

Bulls  98 Raptors  109
Player MIN kPER D-Rose 43 +28 J-Noah 31 +21 B-Miller 30 +20 Ty-Thomas 30 +17 B-Gordon 36 +9 L-Johnson 4 +2 Ti-Thomas 19 +2 J-Salmons 29 -3 K-Hinrich 17 -6 A-Gray DNP – L-Hunter DNP – A-Roberson DNP – L-Deng DNP – J-James DNP – D-Nelson DNP – TOTAL   90	Player MIN kPER S-Marion 42 +43 J-Calderon 36 +23 C-Bosh 42 +20 A-Parker 35 +10 P-O’Bryant 27 +8 J-Kapono 20 +7 R-Ukic 12 +4 J-Voskuhl 6 +3 J-Graham 14 +1 P-MBonsu 5 -5 Q-Doubyl DNP – M-Banks DNP – N-Jawai DNP – K-Humphries DNP – A-Bargnani DNP – TOTAL   114

If you examine these two indexes thoroughly what you should be able to see for yourself are the following facts:

The Raptors played without Andrea Bargnani last night.

The Raptors finished +23 when Chris Bosh played Power Forward [20:42].
The Raptaors finished -11 when Chris Bosh played Center [14:52].
The Raptors finished -1 when Chris Bosh was on the bench [05:50].

When Chris Bosh played Center AND Jason Kapono was on the floor … for 11:26 … the Raptors finished -16.

When Chris Bosh played Center AND Jason Kapono was NOT on the floor … for 03:26 … the Raptors finished +5.

———-

Preliminary Conclusions

When the Raptors play without Andrea Bargnani in their line-up AND play Chris Bosh at Center AND do NOT have Jason Kapono on the floor in a 5-Man Unit with CB4 they may be a solid team in the EC that is capable of competing effectively with squads like the Chicago Bulls.

Pointing Toward The Future

Some other enterprising young person should take the time to study initial data like this and then track the “cumulative negative effect” it has on a NBA team when a non-rebounder/defender who is also an infrequent shooter and does not get to the Free Throw very much at all … like Jason Kapono … is on the court for as much as 20 minutes per game, beside a finesse Center like Chris Bosh and finesse Point Guards like Jose Calderon and/or Roko Ukic and/or Anthony parker.

What they might find is that this type of comparative analysis actually yields a statistically significant finding … with the benefit of a representative sample size … which indicates that the Raptors are simply WASTING THEIR AVAILABLE RESOURCES by employing a player like Jason Kapono in this way.

From the perspective of this corner … although these old eyes could always be mistaken about this … a formal research study of that particular type doesn’t appear to be necessary.

Coming out of the annual All-Star Break and heading toward this week’s Trade Deadline  [Feb 19, 3:00 PM] … as different trade rumours swirl about the NBA [on-line & elsewhere] … it can be instructive to assess where certain marquee players rank amongst their brethren, at the specific position[s] they play the best.

When considering Big Men [i.e. Centers/C and Power Forwards/PF], it is also imperative to understand what their fundamental role is within the NBA game and what qualities are the most important for them to exhibit on a consistent basis, if their respective team’s are going to have a legitimate chance to win a League Championship, now or in the not-too-distant future.

Big Man Ranking Criteria

* Leadership
* Rebounding [which includes: i. Defensive; ii. Offense]
* Team Defense [which includes: i. Interior Rotations; ii. Perimeter Rotations; iii. Execution of Pick & Roll Techniques; iv. Transition Effectiveness; v. Shot blocking off the ball; Switching off the ball]
* Low-Mid Post Scoring
* Passing Effectiveness
* Individual Low-Mid Post Defense [which includes Shot blocking on the ball]
* Individual Perimeter Defense
* Screening Effectiveness
* Picking Effectiveness
* Perimeter Scoring
* Offensive Transition
* Physical Traits: i. Quickness; ii. Agility; iii. Explosive Power; iv. Size & Strength
* Psycho-Emotional Traits: i. Stability; ii. Intelligence; iii. Intensity; iv. Toughness 

These are the current rankings, according to this corner:

 

Rankings for Starting Centers
No.	EASTERN	No.	WESTERN
1	D-Howard/Magic	1	T-Duncan/Spurs
2	C-Bosh/Raptors	2	A-Stoudemire/Suns
3	A-Horford/Hawks	3	A-Bynum/Lakers
4	K-Perkins/Celtics	4	Y-Ming/Rockets
5	R-Wallace/Pistons	5	A-Jefferson/Timberwolves
6	Z-Ilgaukas/Cavaliers	6	Nene/Nuggets
7	A-Bogut/Bucks	7	T-Chandler/Hornets
8	D-Lee/Knicks	8	S-O’Neal/Suns
9	J-O’Neal/Heat	9	Mehmet Okur/Jazz
10	R-Nesterovic/Pacers	10	Andre Biedrins/Warriors
11	E-Okafor/Bobcats	11	Marc Gasol/Grizzlies
12	B-Heywood/Wizards	12	Marcus Camby/Clippers
13	S-Dalembert/76ers	13	Nick Collison/Thunder
14	B-Lopez/Nets	14	Greg Oden/Blazers
15	J-Noah/Bulls	15	Eric Dampier/Mavericks
		16	Spencer Hawes/Kings

 

 

Rankings for Starting Power Forwards
No.	EASTERN	No.	WESTERN
1	K-Garnett/Celtics	1	D-Nowitzki/Mavericks
2	J-Smith/Hawks	2	P-Gasol/Lakers
3	S-Marion/Raptors	3	C-Boozer/Jazz
4	R-Lewis/Magic	4	L-Scola/Rockets
5	A-Varejao/Cavaliers	5	A-Stoudemire/Suns
6	C-Bosh/Raptors	6	D-West/Hornets
7	A-Jamison/Wizards	7	L-Aldridge/Blazers
8	T-Prince/Pistons	8	K-Martin/Nuggets
9	LRM-A Moute/Bucks	9	S-Jackson/Warriors
10	B-Diaw/Bobcats	10	D-Milicic/Grizzlies
11	T-Murphy/Pacers	11	J-Green/Thunder
12	U-Haslem/Heat	12	Z-Randolph/Clippers
13	T-Young/76ers	13	C-Smith/Timberwolves
14	A-Harrington/Knicks	14	B-Miller/Kings
15	T-Thomas/Bulls	15	M-Bonner/Spurs
16	Y-Jianlian/Nets

 

Use the “comments” section to provide your feedback.

 

How good are the Miami Heat at the moment?

According to this corner, good enough to say, “No Deal,” to all potential suitors for Shawn Marion [PF/SF] … even those prepared to take Marcus Banks‘ bad contract off the Heat’s ledger. 

Why is that?

At the moment, Miami has a 24-29/.558 W-L Record, is in 3rd place in the Southeast Division, and in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, with a 7-6 mark since Jan 1, having picked up two Quality W’s in their most recent games vs Orlando [1st Southest] and Atlanta [2nd Southeast].

However, when you examine these respective Box Scores more closely:

GAME 1

Orlando
Starters		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
J. Nelson	G	34:49	4-11	3-6	5-6	+4	0	4	7	3	1	0	0	2	16
C. Lee	G	33:02	3-9	1-4	0-0	+8	0	5	2	1	0	0	1	2	7
D. Howard	C	37:41	9-11	0-0	4-7	+2	0	10	0	2	0	3	0	5	22
H. Turkoglu	F	40:06	6-13	1-4	5-5	+1	0	6	6	3	0	0	0	2	18
R. Lewis	F	36:59	6-12	3-6	6-8	-2	3	8	2	2	0	1	0	3	21
Bench		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
A. Johnson		13:11	1-3	1-2	0-0	-10	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	3
J.J. Redick		11:09	1-3	0-2	2-2	-8	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	4
M. Gortat		10:18	1-1	0-0	0-0	-8	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
B. Cook		8:21	0-3	0-0	0-0	-1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
K. Bogans		7:23	1-2	0-1	0-0	-11	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	2
T. Battie		7:00	1-1	0-0	0-0	-5	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	2
A. Foyle		DNP – Coach’s Decision
Totals			33-69	9-25	22-28		5	41	17	14	1	4	1	24	97
Percentages:			.478	.360	.786		Team Rebounds: 9

Miami
Starters		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
D. Wade	G	36:13	11-21	0-1	5-9	+3	0	8	6	0	0	1	0	2	27
M. Chalmers	G	32:38	8-12	1-3	3-3	+1	0	1	6	0	3	0	0	2	20
J. Anthony	C	6:34	1-1	0-0	0-0	-4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2
U. Haslem	F	31:41	5-8	0-0	2-2	0	0	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	12
Y. Diawara	F	24:02	1-4	1-4	0-0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	3
Bench		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
D. Cook		30:02	3-8	0-2	2-3	+8	1	4	0	0	0	0	1	2	8
J. Magloire		22:07	1-4	0-0	2-4	+4	3	7	1	1	0	0	1	3	4
M. Blount		19:19	3-8	1-1	0-0	+6	0	1	1	2	0	0	1	2	7
M. Beasley		16:19	1-6	0-0	8-8	+6	1	5	1	0	0	0	0	3	10
C. Quinn		15:22	3-5	2-2	2-3	+5	1	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	10
J. Jones		5:43	0-1	0-1	0-0	+1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
M. Banks		DNP – Coach’s Decision
Totals			37-78	5-14	24-32		6	36	16	4	3	1	4	21	103
Percentages:			.474	.357	.750		Team Rebounds: 5

———-

GAME 2

Atlanta
Starters		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
J. Johnson	G	44:18	7-15	0-2	5-6	-14	1	4	4	5	2	0	0	0	19
M. Bibby	G	32:11	1-6	0-4	0-3	-18	0	4	0	5	1	1	0	1	2
Z. Pachulia	C	21:11	0-2	0-0	1-2	-9	2	4	0	1	1	3	1	2	1
M. Williams	F	37:58	4-13	2-4	7-8	-15	6	8	1	1	0	1	3	1	17
J. Smith	F	36:31	5-10	1-2	3-6	-7	2	10	2	4	1	1	2	3	14
Bench		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
F. Murray		24:32	5-11	0-2	4-5	-5	0	0	0	1	4	0	4	5	14
M. Evans		21:36	0-4	0-2	4-4	-1	1	7	0	0	1	0	0	1	4
S. Jones		13:13	4-5	0-0	0-0	-1	1	3	0	2	0	1	1	5	8
A. Law		8:30	0-2	0-0	0-0	-10	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	0
O. Hunter		DNP – Coach’s Decision
R. Morris		DNP – Coach’s Decision
M. West		DNP – Coach’s Decision
Totals			26-68	3-16	24-34		13	42	7	19	10	7	12	19	79
Percentages:			.382	.188	.706		Team Rebounds: 9

Miami
Starters		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
M. Chalmers	G	36:05	5-14	1-4	1-1	+12	0	2	6	5	1	0	0	3	12
D. Wade	G	34:12	13-19	0-0	9-10	+9	0	5	4	4	2	2	1	2	35
J. Magloire	C	16:58	3-4	0-0	0-0	-2	2	6	0	0	0	2	1	3	6
U. Haslem	F	43:03	2-6	0-0	4-4	+12	5	13	4	1	0	2	0	2	8
Y. Diawara	F	18:26	2-7	1-5	0-0	+2	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	5
Bench		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
D. Cook		30:51	5-13	3-7	3-3	+6	1	4	1	0	1	1	1	0	16
M. Blount		19:08	3-4	1-1	1-2	+9	2	4	0	2	0	2	0	3	8
J. Jones		12:30	0-1	0-1	0-0	+15	0	2	1	0	0	1	0	2	0
C. Quinn		11:55	1-4	1-2	0-0	+4	0	0	0	1	1	0	2	1	3
J. Anthony		8:37	0-0	0-0	0-0	+5	0	2	0	1	0	2	0	3	0
M. Beasley		8:14	1-4	0-1	0-2	+8	0	2	0	1	0	0	1	2	2
M. Banks		DNP – Coach’s Decision
Totals			35-76	7-21	18-22		10	42	16	15	5	12	7	23	95
Percentages:			.461	.333	.818		Team Rebounds: 4

———-

… what you’ll see is that an interesting transformation is taking place with this team right now, in the absence of Shawn Marion.

* After playing “0″ minutes in the month of December …

Mark Blount [C, 7-0, 250] averaged 19 MPG against Orlando & Miami.

* After receiving “0″ minutes during the Heat’s first 15 games this season, and then only sporadic minutes through the month of December [during their next 13 games], since Jan 1, 2009 …

Jamaal Magloire [C, 6-11, 265] has averaged 15.4 MPG and got his first start of the season against the Hawks.

* After working as the Heat’s Starting Center for the month of December and averaging almost 18 MPG, on the season as a whole …

Joel Anthony [C, 6-9, 260] did not start at Center for the Heat vs Atlanta and averaged only 7.5 MPG against the Magic and the Hawks.

* After playing sporadically in Nov-Dec-Jan …

Yakhouba Diawara [SF, 6-7, 225] averaged 21 MPG against the Magic and the Hawks.

* After playing “0″ minutes at all prior to Jan 9, 2009 …

James Jones [SF, 6-8, 200], an UFA acquisition from Portland this past summer, averaged 8.5 MPG against the Magic and the Hawks.

Using a revamped 12-Man line-up:

STARTERS

PG – Mario Chalmers [6-1, 190] 
OG – Dwyane Wade [6-4, 212]
SF – Yakhouba Diawara [Shawn Marion, when healthy?]
PF – Udonis Haslem [6-8, 235]
C – Jamaal Magloire

KEY BENCH SUBS

PG – Chris Quinn [6-2, 185]
OG – Daequan Cook [6-5, 210] [or James Jones]
SF – James Jones [or Yakhouba Diawara]
PF – Michael Beasley [6-8, 235]
C – Mark Blount

RESERVES

PF/SF – Shawn Marion [or Daquan Cook or James Jones]
PF/C – Joel Anthony

the Heat, under the direction of Eric Spoelstra [1st-yr], is plenty big and tough and good enough to challenge for a berth in the EC Finals or, at least, the Semi-finals, this season … carried by a healthy D-Wade.

Then, once the off season arrives, Pat Riley [GM] will be sitting in the catbird’s seat, in position to:

1A. Re-sign Shawn Marion, if both parties are so inclined;

1B. Execute a Sign & Trade with Shawn Marion, if a suitable deal is on the table for Miami;

1C. Allow Shawn Marion to walk away … and use the available capitol instead to sign a player or two or three who might be a better fit upfront with the Heat than an injured former All-Star like Jermaine O’Neal [C/PF, Toronto] or a serviceable but strictly ordinary Big like Brad Miller [C, Sacramento];

2. While adding another Key Rotation Player to the mix for the Heat from the 2009 NBA Draft.

Come on Pat … Show this corner what you’ve got! … When it comes to being an authentic TOP NOTCH Executive in the NBA.

Have some patience, ride it out, and the Heat will be rewarded BIG TIME, down-the-road.

Afterall, that’s exactly what building an upper echelon team is all about, in the NBA, when you’ve got the right type of Basketball Acumen, in the first place.

Raptors fans …

Coming down the stretch of last night’s game versus Sacramento …

What did you learn about your favourite NBA team?

Player Alignment

PG – Jose Calderon vs Beno Udrih
OG – Anthony Parker vs Bobby Jackson
SF – Joey Graham vs John Salmons
2B - Chris Bosh vs Spencer Hawes
1B - Jermaine O’Neal vs Brad Miller

With 56.9 left in the 4th quarter, Brad Miller made 2 free throws.

Raptors 103, Kings 99.

Possession #1

The Raptors then advanced the ball into the front-court without the benefit of a Time-out and attempted to execute a set play in their half-court offense, i.e. PG dribble to the Right Wing; Right Wing cross-screen for 1st Big, Flash High off the clean-up screen from the 2nd Big. When Hawes successfully denied the entry pass to O’Neal [1B], Bosh went to set a pick on the Wing for Calderon. Calderon used the pick to drive to the middle of the court. O’Neal executed a Duck-in, and moved across the lane and into the Left Low Post position. Udrih was picked off. Hawes jumped out to Show/Help vs Calderon. Udrih recovered to Calderon. Calderon passed the ball to Bosh who had begun his roll to the basket and was stopped just outside the lane when Miller positioned himself to middle the Raptors’s two Bigs. Hawes recovered to Bosh. Miller re-positioned vs O’Neal. Bosh executed a shot-fake and drove baseline vs Hawes for a layup attempt. Salmons helped off Graham and was able to knock the ball free from Bosh’s hands as the drive unfolded. The loose ball was recovered by Jackson. Jackson advanced the ball into the front-court and Sacramento called a Time-out.

Possession #2

With 29.2 seconds left the Kings inbounded the ball with the following player alignment:

1 Beno Udrih vs Anthony Parker
2 Bobby Jackson vs Joey Graham
3 John Salmons [Inbounder] vs Jamario Moon [replaced Calderon]
4 Brad Miller vs Jermaine O’Neal
5 Spencer Hawes vs Chris Bosh

Sacramento then had difficulty completing their inbounds pass, after which Salmons had the ball returned to him, drove the Right Baseline vs Moon, and beside Graham, and was smothered under the basket by Moon & Bosh. Salmons’ attempted pass out from there was then intercepted by O’Neal [who had rotated down to the opposite baseline [in support of Bosh's rotation]. Toronto called a Time-out with 21.9 seconds left.

Possession #3

When play resumed the two teams were aligned in the following way:

1 Beno Udrih vs Jose Calderon [Inbounder, Right Sideline]
2 Bobby Jackson vs Anthony Parker [outside Left Elbow]
3 John Salmons vs Jason Kapono [Left Corner]
4 Brad Miller vs Jermaine O’Neal [Right Elbow]
5 Spencer Hawes vs Chris Bosh [Left Elbow]

at which point the Raptors then ran the same Sideline Inbounds play they attempted several weeks ago vs Portland but had failed to execute properly, which eventually contributed to one of their most dis-heartening losses this season.

The OG cuts over the top of stationary screens by 2B & 1B into the near Corner. The 1B pops out towards the Centerline, as a Pressure Release, to receive a pass from the PG. The PG cuts to receive a quick return pass from the 1B. The SF remains still in the Weak Side Corner.

The difference was … last time Kapono [Inbounder] and Calderon [Opposite Corner] were in the opposite roles.

After the Raptors successfully inbounded the ball, Sacramento then fouled Calderon with 18.3 seconds remaining.

Calderon stepped to the FT Line, in an effort to keep alive his league-leading consecutive FT’s Made streak … and to preserve a much-needed road W for the Raptors.

Calderon made both FT’s.

Raptors 105, Kings 99

At which point, Sacramento then called a Time-out and moved the ball into the front-court inbound position.

Possession #4

When play resumed the teams were aligned in this way:

1 Beno Udrih vs Anthony Parker
2 Bobby Jackson vs Joey Graham
3 John Salmons vs Jamario Moon [replaced Calderon]
4 Franscisco Garcia [Inbounder] vs Chris Bosh
5 Spencer Hawes vs Jermaine O’Neal

The Kings then had a difficult time making a successful inbounds pass and eventually took and missed a contested 3PT-shot [Garcia vs Graham, on a defensive Switch] that was rebounded by O’Neal, who was then fouled.

O’Neal made 2 more FT’s.

Raptors 107, Kings 99

At which point, Sacramento called a Time-out and moved the ball to the front-court inbounding position.

When play resumed, the Raptors used the same 5 players on defense.

Sacramento made a final driving layup [Salmons].

FINAL SCORE: Raptors 107, Kings 101
Game Info

——————————————–

On Offense

1. When the game was on the line, the Raptors best match-up advantage was with Chris Bosh, facing up versus the Opponent’s Big, 12-15 feet from the basket, initiating a drive to the rim. 

On Defense

2. When the game was on the line, the Raptors best defensive match-ups were:

vs PG – Anthony Parker

vs OG/SF – Jamario Moon

vs SF/OG – Joey Graham

If these 4 Possessions in last night’s game actually did signal a New Awareness of these perceptions/FACTS? by the Raptors’ coaching staff then another corner may have been turned for this team.

Time will tell.