NBA - Artigos e Análises Estatísticas para discussão

[andriy pereplyotkin]

O Sam Presti é, provavelmente, o melhor GM da liga. É que gajos como o Mitch têm o nome da equipa e o tamanho do mercado a favor.

[Pat Riley]

Já ando para te perguntar isto há algum tempo perep, porque não tenho bem a noção. Como classificavas o trabalho do Steve Kerr nos Suns?

[andriy pereplyotkin]

Mexeu-se bem overall, tentou mexer as coisas mesmo quando falhou. Aponto-lhe apenas alguma falta de visão a nível de futuro, mas também é verdade que a equipa estava em win-now mode.

[andriy pereplyotkin]

NBA players get tested up to four times during the course of a season. The fourth time can happen at any point from October to June, but once it happens, that's it. So if your fourth test occurs after your 71st game, you're clear the rest of the way. It's a running joke within NBA circles, something of a get-out-of-jail-free card: Once you pee in that fourth cup, you're good to go. Put whatever you want into your body. Feel like smoking enough weed to make Harold and Kumar blush? Knock yourself out. Feel like replacing your blood with cleaner blood so you have more endurance for the playoffs? Knock yourself out. Feel like starting a testosterone cycle because you might have to play 25 grueling playoff games over the next 10 weeks? Knock yourself out. Remember how competitive these guys are. What would they do for an edge? How far would they go? And why are we giving them the choice?

 

(...)

 

What does the word "performance enhancer" really mean? It's OK to borrow a dead person's ligament to regain your 95-mph fastball, but it's not OK to boost your testosterone for those same results? It's OK to travel to Germany to inject stem cells into your damaged knee to stimulate recovery and regeneration, but it's not OK to replace your blood with better blood to increase your stamina?

 

How did we decide what's right and wrong? Did we just arbitrarily make up a bunch of rules with no correlation to one another?

 

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8904906/daring-ask-ped-question

[Pat Riley]

Mexeu-se bem overall, tentou mexer as coisas mesmo quando falhou. Aponto-lhe apenas alguma falta de visão a nível de futuro, mas também é verdade que a equipa estava em win-now mode.

 

;)

 

Gosto muito dele. Muita gente na NBA devia olhar para a forma de estar dele e tentar seguir o exemplo.

[Bynum Lover]

lol ridiculo isso do controlo anti-doping

[Carson Wentz]

Rubio still lacks offensive efficiency

Ryan Feldman - ESPN TrueHoop

 

 

The Minnesota Timberwolves host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night (9 ET on ESPN), and it appears that Ricky Rubio is finally recovered after suffering an ACL tear last March. But that doesn’t mean Rubio’s return has greatly benefited the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves have a 2-8 record since Rubio returned to the starting lineup Jan. 17, but during that span he has posted solid numbers, with at least six assists in all but one start, including 14 assists Monday against Portland (tying a career high). He is averaging 8.1 points, 7.0 assists and 2.7 turnovers per game in those 10 games. In his past five games, he’s been even better, averaging 11.2 points, 8.0 assists and 2.4 turnovers per game while shooting 46 percent (24 percent in the five games prior). Although impressive, a deeper look into the numbers shows that Rubio is still suffering from the same weaknesses he had last season.

 

• RUBIO HASN’T SCORED EFFICIENTLY
  

 

Rubio ranks last in the NBA in points per play among the 296 players with at least 150 offensive plays this season. He is shooting 32 percent, which also ranks last in that group. Rubio’s lack of scoring efficiency shouldn’t be a surprise, as he finished last in points per play last season among the 176 players with at least 500 plays. Rubio’s midrange jumper is slightly improved. After shooting 33 percent on midrange shots (2-point shots outside the paint) last season, he’s up to 37 percent this season. But he is still struggling to score at the rim and from beyond the arc. He is shooting 36 percent in the paint and is 1-for-16 on 3-point attempts this season. The only player with as many attempts as Rubio and shooting worse from within eight feet this season is Austin Rivers of the Hornets. Rubio is especially struggling to create his own offense off pick-and-roll plays. He has turned it over on 37 percent of pick-and-roll plays this season when he doesn’t pass the ball, which ranks last among the 113 players with at least 50 plays.

 

As a result, the Timberwolves have actually been more efficient offensively with Rubio on the bench. Over the past 10 games, they’re scoring seven more points per 100 possessions with Rubio off the court while shooting better and committing fewer turnovers than when he is on the floor.

 

• WHERE RUBIO HELPS
  

 

Since he returned to the starting lineup, Rubio has helped the Timberwolves get more easy opportunities near the basket. In the past 10 games, 40 percent of Minnesota’s field goal attempts have come in the restricted area while Rubio is on the court. When he’s off the court, only 28 percent of their shots have been in the restricted area.

 

Rubio’s size and length also benefits the Timberwolves on the defensive end. With Rubio as a starter this season, Minnesota is allowing five fewer points per 100 possessions and forcing five more turnovers per 48 minutes with Rubio on the floor during that span.

 

The Timberwolves are playing without Kevin Love, who broke his hand in early January. But with or without Love, the Timberwolves’ success could depend largely on how much Rubio, and Minnesota, addresses his weaknesses moving forward.

 

 

* (artigo datado de 6 de Fevereiro)

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

Não tinha, de todo, a noção destes números por parte do Rubio, principalmente na ineficácia vir já da época passada.

[ProkhoLov]

Basicamente a única arma que ele tem é o passe. As defesas simplesmente cortram-lhe as linhas de passe obrigando-o a lançar (picks por baixo, pressão off the ball e etc). Se em condições normais ele não é bom lançador, forçado pelas circunstâncias é ainda pior.

 

Isso não era difícil de prever que acontecesse. Esperava-se que ele desenvolvesse o lançamento de média/longa distancia, mas a lesão lixou-lhe tanto a evolução no jogo-a-jogo como o verão e o training camp.

 

Ainda vai a tempo de tornar-se um all-star ou ate mesmo franchise player, acredito eu.

[Rafinha]

Não sei se este é o lugar indicado para colocar isto mas wtv

 

 

Muito interessante.

[andriy pereplyotkin]

Phoenix Suns’ signing of P.J. Tucker has turned out to be ‘great find’

 

Jan. 11, 2013 - Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) is blocked by Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second quarter.

 

 

Bargains are relative in the NBA, where the average salary is more than $5 million.

 

Often, the lowest-paid players are merely fliers on potential or a convenient payroll balancer to avoid the luxury tax.

 

Rarely, a six-figure salary player makes a huge impact like P.J. Tucker has for the Suns this year.

 

Tucker has proved to be one of the league’s better finds. It is not only because he had been out of the NBA for five seasons. It is not only because he has become a Suns starter and one of the league’s better defenders. It is because the Suns made an under-the-radar summer move to slip him into the league with a two-year, $1.65 million contract.

 

Suns Director of Player Personnel John Treloar tracked Tucker’s play overseas, where he starred in Germany last season after previous stops in Israel, Ukraine, Greece, andPuerto Rico. It did not hurt that Tucker is a former Texas Longhorn, like Suns General Manager Lance Blanks.

 

Tucker was not an instant starter or even rotation player for the Suns. It appeared that Tucker’s role might be as an occasional stopper, with Wes Johnson’s preseason play claiming an available wing rotation spot. But Tucker became an indispensable defender and eventually worked into the starting lineup under former coach Alvin Gentry. Gentry and interim head coach Lindsey Hunter have often spoke about Tucker being an example of the type of hard-nosed player the Suns want.

 

A money player

“That was a great find,” Hunter said. “You look at a guy like that and the impact he has made not only on our team but the league, and that has to be one of the great moves of the season for any team. We’ve put P.J. on one through five (point guard through center). He’s guarded everybody in the league and has done a good job. We expect that from him. I still challenge him to get in the gym and shoot 1,000 corner 3s because that’s where he is going to get the bulk of his shots, but he has been great for us.”

 

Tucker is one of seven players currently starting in the NBA who play for salaries of less than $1 million. The other members of the six-figure club are Dallas rookie second-round pick Bernard James (a recent starting-lineup addition), Houston second-year, second-round pick Chandler Parsons (the star of the group), Indiana 2010 second-round pick Lance Stephenson (pressed into starting by Danny Granger’s injury), New York undrafted 28-year-old Chris Copeland, Sacramento 2011 second-round pick Isaiah Thomas (who beat out Aaron Brooks for the job) and Washington undrafted guard Garrett Temple (starting with Bradley Beal hurt).

 

There are only 22 players in the NBA who are starters for less than $2 million, and the Suns have Tucker for $762,195, lower than what he could have made overseas. He sacrificed money to return to the NBA for the first time since he was a seldom-used Toronto second-round draft pick in 2006-07.

 

Trying to stick

Tucker has averaged 6.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in 19 starts for Phoenix. His shooting has dropped off from 52 percent as a reserve to 43 percent as a starter, but his duties have increased with such assignments as covering Kevin Durant Friday night in Oklahoma City. Durant was the reason Tucker worked his way into the starting lineup when Gentry tried the 6-foot-6, 224-pounder against Durant as a one-game wrinkle that became permanent.

 

“I’m getting familiar with guys and making them take tough shots and put them in bad positions and take teams out of their offense by denying and getting after guys,” Tucker said. “I’m getting better with each game. Getting tougher and smarter.”

 

As familiar as it has become to see Tucker confidently crowd top scorers, it actually is not the same player from a team called Brose Baskets in Germany. New Orleans reserve guard Brian Roberts was on Tucker’s team last season and foresaw his NBA future, but not as a stopper.

 

“Defender?” Roberts said. “Ehh, not really. He played all-right defense, but ... he was more of our everything — a utility player who could do everything.

 

“I’m happy for him. He’s done a great job. He’s a hard worker. That’s the one thing I always noticed about him was that he was always going to play hard and give everything he can. I could see the talent he had. As long as he directed that into the court and gave everything he could, I knew the sky was the limit for him.”

 

“He has a great situation in Phoenix and he is making the most of his opportunity.”

 

Cinderella story :cool:

[Carson Wentz]

Cinderella com o Parsons na lista, repep pls

[Carson Wentz]

How far can the Boston Celtics go?

Jeff Clark - Celtics Blog

 

 

The original Ewing Theory team went all the way to the Finals. How far can this one go? Buckle up buttercup..

 

I'm done trying to figure this thing out. I really, truly don't care if we are a better team without Rondo or if we just happen to be playing better without him. Either way, what they are doing right now is working, and working well. Earlier this year I (melodramatically) said that a similar 6 game win streak (on the heels of Avery Bradley's return) "saved the season." Well, by that logic, this 7 game streak (on the heels of losing Rondo and then losing Sullinger) might very well have saved the team from detonation.

 

Two weeks ago, we were staring at the 8 seed and wondering if Ainge would just decide to set the charges and give the all-clear to the demolition crew. Then Rondo went down and it almost seemed inevitable, ...for about half an hour. Then the Heat win happened. Fast forward to now and where are we? Well, we're in the 7th seed and just 1.5 games out of the 6 seed (behind an Atlanta team that is shopping Josh Smith).

 

Frankly, I'm not sure how much it matters what seed the Celtics end up with anyway. Do you think any team wants to face Boston in the playoffs? True, some of Rondo's greatest moments have been in the playoffs and we'll miss that element. But as last night and the last 2 weeks should remind us, this team still has two Hall of Famers with enormous amounts of pride. They know full well that this could be their last ride together (man, how many times have I used that line over the years and every time it has seemed perfectly legit).

 

You never count out a team that plays championship defense. Kevin Garnett is not going to allow this team to give anything less. You can likewise never count out any team featuring Paul Pierce, regardless of how far the chips may be down. The team will have to rely more heavily on those two down the stretch and into the playoffs, so fatigue will be a concern.

 

However, the supporting cast has been stepping up as well. Jason Terry is ...well, looking like Jason Terry again. Jeff Green is flat out playing his best basketball since becoming a Boston Celtic. Avery Bradley is who we thought he was and then some. Courtney Lee has had some big games in this stretch. Same goes for Barbosa and Bass as well. This is the kind of execution that Danny Ainge was envisioning when he put this team together.

 

But how far can it take us without Rondo? It always comes back to the Heat doesn't it? They've already proven that they can beat the Heat in one game. That's encouraging but ultimately not worth a whole lot once the second season starts. The Heat have the best record in the East and you get the feeling that they haven't even really turned it on yet. They now have a continuity that comes with playing with each other for years and when all else fails, they can hand the ball to LeBron and let him win a game all by himself (like he did in game 6 last year).

 

Still, in a 7 game series, the Celtic defense will frustrate the Heat in ways they aren't used to. They'll have to account for Pierce and Garnett and this time they can't pack the paint daring Rondo to shoot. Which leaves driving lanes for Jeff Green and others. It is going to be a big, big challenge. But this team will not be intimidated by it in the least. They will stare down the Heat and growl in their faces.

 

Of course, it has to get that far first. There's a lot of time left and as we've learned, a lot can happen in a short period of time. We've still got a trade deadine and 32 games left before the playoffs begin. The Knicks, Nets, Pacers, and Bulls (with Rose back) are not to be overlooked or dismissed either. Each is dangerous and talented in their own right.

 

But so are the Celtics and that's the wonderful thing about this 7 game streak. The whole narrative changes from "will they blow it up" to "how far can they go?" That alone is something to celebrate and appreciate.

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

Continuam, na minha perspectiva, a ser os únicos do Este com possibilidades de bater os Heat em 7 jogos, com ou sem Rondo. Mais do que os Knicks.

[andriy pereplyotkin]

Dropping the bombshell: Rondo's overfuckingrated. Statpadding. I'm out.

 

[Carson Wentz]

:mrgreen:

 

Ah e dizer que os Pacers para mim são uma incógnita, mais ainda tendo em conta o factor Granger.

[LgD]

First

Round

Exit

[Taka]

Acredito mais nos Pacers/Celtics contra os Heat, do que os Knicks. Contudo, acho que este esforço suplementar dos Celtics vai-lhes custar caro nos PO. É esperar para ver

[Rōnin]

A vida tem destas coisas.

 

Numa altura em que o valor do Rondo já não era fortemente questionado, este lesiona-se. A equipa dá-se bem sem ele e voltam as dúvidas do passado.

 

E só mesmo os Celtics ou Pacers poderão fazer frente aos Heat. Os Knicks ainda não conseguiram provar que conseguem neste momento ombrear defensivamente com os melhores.

[Pat Riley]

Eu acho que os Knicks têm são um caso sério para poder eliminar Miami. Tenho dúvidas é que cheguem à final. O roster deles está muito bem construido tendo em conta as nossas debilidades. E viu-se bem a maneira como não conseguimos jogar contra eles.

 

Os Pacers são sempre uma equipa a ter em conta, tem potencial para eliminar os Heat, mas precisavam do factor casa. No ano passado criaram tantos problemas por causa das lesões mas também é de ter em conta que são uma equipa bem evoluida.

 

A 3ª incognita são os Bulls. Ainda tou para ver o que são capazes.

 

Os C's limpamos fácil.

[andriy pereplyotkin]

Os Knicks dependem imenso de dois wildcards, o Shumpert e o combo Amar'e/jogo interior. O Shump porque entre Wade e Lebron, alguém tem que ser abrandado. O Amar'e/jogo interior porque é aí que se ganha um jogo contra os Heat. Se o Amar'e estiver bem e eles jogarem para dentro, então têm hipóteses.

[Jonas F]

Equipa para eliminar os Heat? Fácil, Bulls :-

Esta temporada que eu me lembre acho que está 1-0, com o Rose (se voltar em forma), acho que podemos perfeitamente lutar quase cara a cara.

Editado 11 Fevereiro 2013 por Jonas

[Rui Cardoso]

Eu concordo que Knicks sao bem capazes de vencer Miami em 7 jogos, nao acredito e que cheguem la. Mas depende de muita coisa ainda. Nota-se que a equipa anda meia perdida a defender e que a atacar ainda dependem demais do Melo, quando nao tem razao para isso tendo em conta o arsenal que tem a disposicao. Vai ser um grande teste para o Woodson, eu acho que da para ver que ele e um bom gestor de homens, o Amar'e anda todo contente a sair do banco, o JR igualmente e ainda se tem esforcado a defender, o Felton voltou rapidamente a forma e o Melo anda com um mindset completamente diferente agora falta ver o resto.

[Carson Wentz]

Acho sinceramente que falta algo aos Knicks. O quê, não sei. :mrgreen:

[LgD]

Os Knicks já não são o que eram no início da época. Os 3 não caem todos e o "6th Man of the Year" está lentamente a voltar ao que sempre foi. Espero que os Bulls apanhem os Knicks nos play-off para largar um sweep! Pacers e Bulls são os mais fortes candidatos a destronar Miami no este.

[vakjew]

A vida tem destas coisas.

 

Numa altura em que o valor do Rondo já não era fortemente questionado, este lesiona-se. A equipa dá-se bem sem ele e voltam as dúvidas do passado.

 

E só mesmo os Celtics ou Pacers poderão fazer frente aos Heat. Os Knicks ainda não conseguiram provar que conseguem neste momento ombrear defensivamente com os melhores.

 

Let Celtics boss Danny Ainge take it from here.

 

"We are different without him,'' Ainge explained. "We're running better now because five guys are running. Honestly, I think we rely on Rondo too much.

 

"For example, with Rondo out you see Jeff Green grab a rebound and push it up the court himself. If he gets a rebound when Rondo is playing, he just gives it to him.

 

"That's not Rondo's fault. It's only because he's a great player and guys see him in that role.''

 

So how can Rondo rectify that when he returns next season?

 

"So, when Jeff Green gets the rebound,'' Ainge replied, "Rondo has to take off down the court in that situation. Then Jeff can take two dribbles and hit Rondo. Now you see Rondo attack the basket in the open court. He is unguardable in those situations.''

[bobzz]

Knicks = 1st round exit.