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Cody Zeller can't finish in the paint either
2013-2014 NBA Thread - IND @ WAS and OKC @ LAC on ESPN
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by big j 33,
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Rck is definitely the most interesting man in Sacramento.
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akajae
formerly akajaedeuce
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Tim Hàrdaway Jr
lawdog1
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Yeah, I think I heard he had the highest vert ever measured at the combine for a guy his height. Like 36" or something like that. I haven't seen him do anything to suggest to me that score is accurate.
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i'm happy with steven adams so far.. and roberson, the little we've seen of him
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Oreos are amazing. I eat them daily and I'm always trying to find new flavors. Mint Oreos are my favorite. Peanut butter, golden, candy cane...they're all good. Except that Berry Burst :x :x :x
I've heard a lot of Nets fans say they want to dump D Will. His ankles are in poor shape and they'll be a serious issue for the rest of his career most likely.
I've heard a lot of Nets fans say they want to dump D Will. His ankles are in poor shape and they'll be a serious issue for the rest of his career most likely.
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Serviceable role players is most of the 2013 draft
antidope
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Mint Oreos?.....Oreos are amazing. I eat them daily and I'm always trying to find new flavors. Mint Oreos are my favorite. Peanut butter, golden, candy cane...they're all good. Except that Berry Burst
I've heard a lot of Nets fans say they want to dump D Will. His ankles are in poor shape and they'll be a serious issue for the rest of his career most likely.
BALLERIFIC GONNA BALLERIFIC
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Thought I was the only one..
darthska
Staff member
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On my 'snack shelf' in the pantry, RIGHT NOW:Oreos are amazing. I eat them daily and I'm always trying to find new flavors. Mint Oreos are my favorite. Peanut butter, golden, candy cane...they're all good. Except that Berry Burst
- 3 boxes of white fudge dipped Oreos
- one box of chocolate dipped Oreos
- 1 package banana split Oreos
- 1 package mint Oreos (I never don't have these on hand)
- like a few left of the PNB joints
- 1 package Double Stuf
Just killed a Berry Burst package. Terrible by itself, but crumbled up, in milk? Yes, please.
I know, I know, "One word:"
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artichoke pls
ur fewd opinions r bad
ur fewd opinions r bad
antidope
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They are great by themselves... But PUT THEM IN VANILLA ICE CREAM!!!On my 'snack shelf' in the pantry, RIGHT NOW:Oreos are amazing. I eat them daily and I'm always trying to find new flavors. Mint Oreos are my favorite. Peanut butter, golden, candy cane...they're all good. Except that Berry Burst
- 3 boxes of white fudge dipped Oreos
- one box of chocolate dipped Oreos
- 1 package banana split Oreos
- 1 package mint Oreos (I never don't have these on hand)
- like a few left of the PNB joints
- 1 package Double Stuf
Just killed a Berry Burst package. Terrible by itself, but crumbled up, in milk? Yes, please.
I know, I know, "One word:"
You will thank me later.
Last edited:
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True and Greek Freak
Why KD has double the amount of 30 pt games compared to Bron who has the second most though?
Just filthy, he's not a nice guy at all.
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oh god
Mint Oreo's? :x that just sounds awful 
But then again, I eat Oreo's with Peanut Butter
The case for keeping Rondo.
Who's the NBA's worst shooter?
Under-the-radar NBA leaders.
But then again, I eat Oreo's with Peanut Butter
The case for keeping Rondo.
Rajon Rondo's return from a torn ACL suffered a year ago sparks all sorts of interesting conversation surrounding his future with the Boston Celtics. With the offseason trade of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, there was seemingly instant speculation about whether Rondo would be the next piece to be jettisoned, as Boston undergoes a franchise reset. The NBA is a copycat league, and when a team hoists the white flag of "rebuild," the assumption is that the team is looking to sell any and all assets in an effort to hoard draft picks and young players on affordable rookie-scale contracts, with the hope that one (or some) might actually hit and turn into a transcendent talent.
But what if you already have that kind of talent on your roster, just entering his prime? This week, we saw the Celtics effectively ask that same question, as news reports indicate that there have been discussions between the team and Rondo's representatives regarding a contract extension. Here's an explanation for why Boston would take this strategy rather than dumping him.
Rondo's value proposition
When we think of franchise players, we often envision a dominant offensive force scoring effortlessly. Rondo doesn't fit that mold, but he brings an undeniable gift in his ability to maximize the talent of the supporting cast around him. He has an uncanny ability to keep his dribble alive and probe until finding the seam through which to deliver precision passes. His length and unorthodox stride also allow him to evade and elude defensive traps and get into the teeth of the defense, forcing the collapse that inevitably opens up more passing lanes.
Like other successful point guards with unreliable perimeter shots, Rondo retains his offensive aggression and will seek to attack any cushion of space given by defenders aiming to dare him to shoot. He's historically been an above-average finisher at the rim (restricted-area field goal percentage in the high 50s, low 60s), and even started to develop into a reliable midrange shooter, especially on pull-ups off low pick-and-rolls.
Defensively, Rondo has tremendous instincts that are sometimes diluted by his penchant to gamble for steals in the passing lanes. He can be a ball hawk when his mind is set to it, and he is an extraordinary rebounder for a player his size (career defensive-rebounding percentage greater than 12 percent). Most importantly, he is an extremely vocal (and opinionated) player, something that rubbed his veteran teammates the wrong way in his earlier days but comes as a welcome benefit for a team looking for leadership and direction.
In his limited time on the court this season, Rondo appears to still be in the feeling-out process, testing the strength of his knee and trying to find his timing and touch. He's shown flashes of the old Rondo, splitting double-teams and getting to the front of the rim.
Why not trade him?
It's hard to replace elite talent: When 100 percent, Rondo is among the very best at affecting the game's outcome. Over the past four seasons, his assists generate more than 20 points per game for the Celtics, as he is able to give teammates easier scoring opportunities. The point guard position in the NBA is experiencing a golden age, so having a guard who can legitimately claim a seat at the "elite" table (both offensively and defensively) is not something to be discarded so easily.
They've been in this position before: The Celtics' last nonplayoff season was 2006-07, a season that saw a young Boston team go 24-58, including losing a franchise-record 18 consecutive games. The crown jewel of that roster was Paul Pierce, then 29 years old and a five-time All-Star. Pierce was rumored to be on the trading block and was seen as incongruent with the young roster that was a far cry from the playoff teams he played for a few seasons previously. Of course, the Celtics ended up packaging much of that young talent to surround Pierce with the veterans Boston needed to get back into contention. Fast-forward seven years later, and we are eerily in the same situation, only now Rondo is the veteran All-Star who is mentioned as incongruent with a young roster that is markedly different from the title-contending teams of a few years ago. The aim shouldn't be trading the elite vet but to find a way to upgrade the talent surrounding him.
The Celtics have the assets: Connected to the previous point is Boston's ability to surround Rondo with roster enhancements. The Celtics own a bevy of draft picks over the next four years, including unprotected first-rounders from the Clippers and the Nets and several pick swaps, not to mention all of their own first-rounders going forward. They also have young pieces like Jared Sullinger, productive vets like Jeff Green and expiring deals like those of Kris Humphries and (effectively by virtue of non-guaranteed salary) Keith Bogans. Depending on how much Avery Bradley receives in a new contract, the Celtics are in position to have a ton of cap flexibility over the next few seasons (even with Gerald Wallace's albatross deal weighing down the books), giving them ample ammunition to craft deals to upgrade their talent level without including Rondo in any deals.
Impediments to keeping Rondo
Health: If Rondo shows ill effects in his return from ACL reconstructive surgery, the Celtics would be better served moving him for whatever assets they can get in return before his value completely tanks.
Cost: Rondo's demands in a contract extension could also be a reason to move him. I called him a franchise-level player earlier, but the fact is his gift relies greatly on having the type of talent around him that can be maximized. In other words, Rondo's abilities shine brighter with better teammates, and he isn't as valuable if forced to play with players who have lesser abilities. By paying him too much, Boston might find itself in the unenviable situation of having someone who makes stars better, and no stars with which to pair him.
Offers: There might be a team that is willing to present an offer that cannot be refused, and the Celtics have to be cognizant of when the scales tip in favor of the talent coming in return than for Rondo himself and be willing to leverage trade partners' desperation into extracting additional assets.
But what if you already have that kind of talent on your roster, just entering his prime? This week, we saw the Celtics effectively ask that same question, as news reports indicate that there have been discussions between the team and Rondo's representatives regarding a contract extension. Here's an explanation for why Boston would take this strategy rather than dumping him.
Rondo's value proposition
When we think of franchise players, we often envision a dominant offensive force scoring effortlessly. Rondo doesn't fit that mold, but he brings an undeniable gift in his ability to maximize the talent of the supporting cast around him. He has an uncanny ability to keep his dribble alive and probe until finding the seam through which to deliver precision passes. His length and unorthodox stride also allow him to evade and elude defensive traps and get into the teeth of the defense, forcing the collapse that inevitably opens up more passing lanes.
Like other successful point guards with unreliable perimeter shots, Rondo retains his offensive aggression and will seek to attack any cushion of space given by defenders aiming to dare him to shoot. He's historically been an above-average finisher at the rim (restricted-area field goal percentage in the high 50s, low 60s), and even started to develop into a reliable midrange shooter, especially on pull-ups off low pick-and-rolls.
Defensively, Rondo has tremendous instincts that are sometimes diluted by his penchant to gamble for steals in the passing lanes. He can be a ball hawk when his mind is set to it, and he is an extraordinary rebounder for a player his size (career defensive-rebounding percentage greater than 12 percent). Most importantly, he is an extremely vocal (and opinionated) player, something that rubbed his veteran teammates the wrong way in his earlier days but comes as a welcome benefit for a team looking for leadership and direction.
In his limited time on the court this season, Rondo appears to still be in the feeling-out process, testing the strength of his knee and trying to find his timing and touch. He's shown flashes of the old Rondo, splitting double-teams and getting to the front of the rim.
Why not trade him?
It's hard to replace elite talent: When 100 percent, Rondo is among the very best at affecting the game's outcome. Over the past four seasons, his assists generate more than 20 points per game for the Celtics, as he is able to give teammates easier scoring opportunities. The point guard position in the NBA is experiencing a golden age, so having a guard who can legitimately claim a seat at the "elite" table (both offensively and defensively) is not something to be discarded so easily.
They've been in this position before: The Celtics' last nonplayoff season was 2006-07, a season that saw a young Boston team go 24-58, including losing a franchise-record 18 consecutive games. The crown jewel of that roster was Paul Pierce, then 29 years old and a five-time All-Star. Pierce was rumored to be on the trading block and was seen as incongruent with the young roster that was a far cry from the playoff teams he played for a few seasons previously. Of course, the Celtics ended up packaging much of that young talent to surround Pierce with the veterans Boston needed to get back into contention. Fast-forward seven years later, and we are eerily in the same situation, only now Rondo is the veteran All-Star who is mentioned as incongruent with a young roster that is markedly different from the title-contending teams of a few years ago. The aim shouldn't be trading the elite vet but to find a way to upgrade the talent surrounding him.
The Celtics have the assets: Connected to the previous point is Boston's ability to surround Rondo with roster enhancements. The Celtics own a bevy of draft picks over the next four years, including unprotected first-rounders from the Clippers and the Nets and several pick swaps, not to mention all of their own first-rounders going forward. They also have young pieces like Jared Sullinger, productive vets like Jeff Green and expiring deals like those of Kris Humphries and (effectively by virtue of non-guaranteed salary) Keith Bogans. Depending on how much Avery Bradley receives in a new contract, the Celtics are in position to have a ton of cap flexibility over the next few seasons (even with Gerald Wallace's albatross deal weighing down the books), giving them ample ammunition to craft deals to upgrade their talent level without including Rondo in any deals.
Impediments to keeping Rondo
Health: If Rondo shows ill effects in his return from ACL reconstructive surgery, the Celtics would be better served moving him for whatever assets they can get in return before his value completely tanks.
Cost: Rondo's demands in a contract extension could also be a reason to move him. I called him a franchise-level player earlier, but the fact is his gift relies greatly on having the type of talent around him that can be maximized. In other words, Rondo's abilities shine brighter with better teammates, and he isn't as valuable if forced to play with players who have lesser abilities. By paying him too much, Boston might find itself in the unenviable situation of having someone who makes stars better, and no stars with which to pair him.
Offers: There might be a team that is willing to present an offer that cannot be refused, and the Celtics have to be cognizant of when the scales tip in favor of the talent coming in return than for Rondo himself and be willing to leverage trade partners' desperation into extracting additional assets.
Who's the NBA's worst shooter?
At the season's midpoint, it's safe to say that the Josh Smith era in Detroit isn't going so well.
Did you catch it in the first quarter of the Dallas Mavericks game on Sunday? Smith backed down Shawn Marion on the left block, turned around and launched a contested fadeaway with 12 seconds left on the shot clock. The ball hit the backboard and caromed off out of bounds. That wasn't notable. What was notable was that it bounced off the top of the backboard. Yes, the top.
But that wasn't even the worst Josh Smith misfire of the season. That probably came Jan. 8 against the New York Knicks when he sized up Carmelo Anthony on the right elbow and unfurled a potential game-winning long 2 that looked like it hit a wind gust midair and landed about three feet short of the rim. There was no wind gust. Just gasps from the Madison Square Garden audience.
That shot has been the microcosm of the Detroit Pistons' season so far: aiming high, falling way short. Smith, signed by longtime Detroit GM Joe Dumars this offseason for $54 million, has been the worst version of himself. There is nothing more deflating to a fan base than an ill-advised jumper. This long has been a Smith specialty, but his jump-shooting ability from deep has reached its nadir this season as the Pistons try to find some spacing with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.
The numbers are staggering. Smith is shooting a ghastly 24.1 percent from downtown this season on 3.6 attempts per game. And it's only getting worse. Over his past 15 games, he is 5-of-34 (14.7 percent) from beyond the arc. One would think he would smarten up and phase out this part of his game, but he shoots more 3-pointers per minute than big-name players who shoot at a far healthier rate such as Rudy Gay (.372), LeBron James (.375) and Andre Iguodala (.433). Smith just can't help himself.
No one in NBA history has averaged at least 3.5 3-pointers per game and shot as poorly on them as Smith.
The closest that anyone has come while shooting this many is Mookie Blaylock in 1997-98, when he converted just 26.9 percent of his 4.8 3s per game. Again, Smith is at 24.1 percent. Smith is probably going down as the worst volume 3-point shooter of all time.
But Smith's incompetence isn't limited to 3-pointers. If you recall, those two shots at the top weren't 3s. Smith's ineptitude on shooting extends far past that. He is shooting 58 percent from the free throw line, far below his career rate of 65 percent. He's shooting just 33.7 percent from the midrange, which is so bad that electing to shoot a 3-pointer at 24.1 percent -- which is effectively 36.1 percent on 2s because of the bonus value of a 3-pointer -- actually yields a higher payoff. Somehow, a Smith 3-pointer is the lesser of two evils.
So, is Smith the NBA's biggest bricklayer?
To answer the question, I've dusted off a handy tool developed years ago by Per Diem predecessor John Hollinger. It's called the Brick Index. It tells us how many points a player costs his team with his shooting compared to the league average on a per-40-minute basis. The metric is based on true shooting percentage, which is a shooting percentage that incorporates 3-point shooting and free throws.
Smith's true shooting percentage this season currently stands at 46.1 percent. For perspective, Kevin Durant has shot that poorly in only one game this season and it came back in November.
The Brick Index takes true shooting percentage a step further and considers shot frequency, not just efficiency. This makes intuitive sense. The more missed shots you take, the more costly it is to your team. Orlando Magic big man Jason Maxiell has a similar true shooting percentage as Smith, but he is self-aware enough to take half as many shots. Smith is another story.
So, how does Smith fare in Brick Index?
Not well at all. Smith has cost his team 1.46 points per 40 minutes on his shooting alone. That's the most damaging rate among 151 qualified players (minimum 1,000 minutes). And it's not really close.
View media item 771780
mith might be a fine finisher at the rim (he shoots 66 percent there), but his frequent jump shooting is so poisonous that it wipes out all of the good work he's done around the basket. Tayshaun Prince registers a far worse true shooting percentage than Smith (42.9 percent), but the Memphis wing barely shoots the ball (9.3 field goal attempts every 36 minutes), so his miscues only inflict pain every so often. Not so with Smith.
If you're wondering how Smith's masonry work compares historically, you're in luck. I pulled up every player since 2000 who has played at least 30 games and at least 30 minutes per game in order to compare apples to apples. We're talking a sample of 1,818 player-seasons. Where does Smith's 2013-14 season rank over the past 15 seasons? Fourth worst.
Biggest bricklayers since 2000
Who has the worst Brick Index over the past 15 seasons? Here's the list. Note: TSPG is the number of true shots (field goal attempts and fouled shots) per game.
He's a brickhouse
Player Team Season MPG TSPG TS% BI
Ron Mercer CHI/IND 2001-02 32.4 15.8 43.9% 1.58
Baron Davis LAC 2008-09 34.6 16.2 46.0% 1.57
Michael Jordan WAS 2001-02 34.8 24.5 46.8% 1.49
Josh Smith DET 2013-14 35.3 17.0 46.1% 1.46
Larry Hughes GSW 2000-01 36.9 18.3 44.9% 1.36
Smith can take some solace that his name is on a leaderboard next to His Airness. But this is not a leaderboard you want to be on. Remember, we adjust Brick Index for the league average for each respective season. So Baron Davis' rates look similar to Smith's but they were comparatively more damaging because the league-average shooting efficiency was higher.
So, yes, what we're watching with Smith is going down as one of the biggest bricklaying seasons in recent memory. It's not entirely his fault since he has been enabled with a $54 million contract and a coach who insists on playing him at small forward, where 3-pointers tend to be part of the job description.
If the Pistons want to make a push for the playoffs, they'll need to figure out what to do with Smith. He's a useful player and a borderline star when properly utilized, but not at the 3 where he's predisposed to fail.
Thing is, the Pistons are between a rock and a hard place since they already have Monroe and Drummond in the fold. Which brings us to the inevitable question: Why did Dumars sign Smith in the first place? We asked ourselves that same question four years ago when Dumars shelled out $55 million to another unabashed gunner, Ben Gordon, despite already having a loaded backcourt. Evidently, Dumars hasn't learned from his past mistakes.
With a $54 million price tag and one of the most dangerous shooting habits in the game, Smith might be stuck in Detroit. After a 3-11 slide, the Pistons are currently a game out of the playoffs and going nowhere fast. While Dumars hoped the new-look Pistons would find a home near the top of the East this season, Smith has turned the Palace into a house of horrors, brick by brick.
Did you catch it in the first quarter of the Dallas Mavericks game on Sunday? Smith backed down Shawn Marion on the left block, turned around and launched a contested fadeaway with 12 seconds left on the shot clock. The ball hit the backboard and caromed off out of bounds. That wasn't notable. What was notable was that it bounced off the top of the backboard. Yes, the top.
But that wasn't even the worst Josh Smith misfire of the season. That probably came Jan. 8 against the New York Knicks when he sized up Carmelo Anthony on the right elbow and unfurled a potential game-winning long 2 that looked like it hit a wind gust midair and landed about three feet short of the rim. There was no wind gust. Just gasps from the Madison Square Garden audience.
That shot has been the microcosm of the Detroit Pistons' season so far: aiming high, falling way short. Smith, signed by longtime Detroit GM Joe Dumars this offseason for $54 million, has been the worst version of himself. There is nothing more deflating to a fan base than an ill-advised jumper. This long has been a Smith specialty, but his jump-shooting ability from deep has reached its nadir this season as the Pistons try to find some spacing with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.
The numbers are staggering. Smith is shooting a ghastly 24.1 percent from downtown this season on 3.6 attempts per game. And it's only getting worse. Over his past 15 games, he is 5-of-34 (14.7 percent) from beyond the arc. One would think he would smarten up and phase out this part of his game, but he shoots more 3-pointers per minute than big-name players who shoot at a far healthier rate such as Rudy Gay (.372), LeBron James (.375) and Andre Iguodala (.433). Smith just can't help himself.
No one in NBA history has averaged at least 3.5 3-pointers per game and shot as poorly on them as Smith.
The closest that anyone has come while shooting this many is Mookie Blaylock in 1997-98, when he converted just 26.9 percent of his 4.8 3s per game. Again, Smith is at 24.1 percent. Smith is probably going down as the worst volume 3-point shooter of all time.
But Smith's incompetence isn't limited to 3-pointers. If you recall, those two shots at the top weren't 3s. Smith's ineptitude on shooting extends far past that. He is shooting 58 percent from the free throw line, far below his career rate of 65 percent. He's shooting just 33.7 percent from the midrange, which is so bad that electing to shoot a 3-pointer at 24.1 percent -- which is effectively 36.1 percent on 2s because of the bonus value of a 3-pointer -- actually yields a higher payoff. Somehow, a Smith 3-pointer is the lesser of two evils.
So, is Smith the NBA's biggest bricklayer?
To answer the question, I've dusted off a handy tool developed years ago by Per Diem predecessor John Hollinger. It's called the Brick Index. It tells us how many points a player costs his team with his shooting compared to the league average on a per-40-minute basis. The metric is based on true shooting percentage, which is a shooting percentage that incorporates 3-point shooting and free throws.
Smith's true shooting percentage this season currently stands at 46.1 percent. For perspective, Kevin Durant has shot that poorly in only one game this season and it came back in November.
The Brick Index takes true shooting percentage a step further and considers shot frequency, not just efficiency. This makes intuitive sense. The more missed shots you take, the more costly it is to your team. Orlando Magic big man Jason Maxiell has a similar true shooting percentage as Smith, but he is self-aware enough to take half as many shots. Smith is another story.
So, how does Smith fare in Brick Index?
Not well at all. Smith has cost his team 1.46 points per 40 minutes on his shooting alone. That's the most damaging rate among 151 qualified players (minimum 1,000 minutes). And it's not really close.
View media item 771780
mith might be a fine finisher at the rim (he shoots 66 percent there), but his frequent jump shooting is so poisonous that it wipes out all of the good work he's done around the basket. Tayshaun Prince registers a far worse true shooting percentage than Smith (42.9 percent), but the Memphis wing barely shoots the ball (9.3 field goal attempts every 36 minutes), so his miscues only inflict pain every so often. Not so with Smith.
If you're wondering how Smith's masonry work compares historically, you're in luck. I pulled up every player since 2000 who has played at least 30 games and at least 30 minutes per game in order to compare apples to apples. We're talking a sample of 1,818 player-seasons. Where does Smith's 2013-14 season rank over the past 15 seasons? Fourth worst.
Biggest bricklayers since 2000
Who has the worst Brick Index over the past 15 seasons? Here's the list. Note: TSPG is the number of true shots (field goal attempts and fouled shots) per game.
He's a brickhouse
Player Team Season MPG TSPG TS% BI
Ron Mercer CHI/IND 2001-02 32.4 15.8 43.9% 1.58
Baron Davis LAC 2008-09 34.6 16.2 46.0% 1.57
Michael Jordan WAS 2001-02 34.8 24.5 46.8% 1.49
Josh Smith DET 2013-14 35.3 17.0 46.1% 1.46
Larry Hughes GSW 2000-01 36.9 18.3 44.9% 1.36
Smith can take some solace that his name is on a leaderboard next to His Airness. But this is not a leaderboard you want to be on. Remember, we adjust Brick Index for the league average for each respective season. So Baron Davis' rates look similar to Smith's but they were comparatively more damaging because the league-average shooting efficiency was higher.
So, yes, what we're watching with Smith is going down as one of the biggest bricklaying seasons in recent memory. It's not entirely his fault since he has been enabled with a $54 million contract and a coach who insists on playing him at small forward, where 3-pointers tend to be part of the job description.
If the Pistons want to make a push for the playoffs, they'll need to figure out what to do with Smith. He's a useful player and a borderline star when properly utilized, but not at the 3 where he's predisposed to fail.
Thing is, the Pistons are between a rock and a hard place since they already have Monroe and Drummond in the fold. Which brings us to the inevitable question: Why did Dumars sign Smith in the first place? We asked ourselves that same question four years ago when Dumars shelled out $55 million to another unabashed gunner, Ben Gordon, despite already having a loaded backcourt. Evidently, Dumars hasn't learned from his past mistakes.
With a $54 million price tag and one of the most dangerous shooting habits in the game, Smith might be stuck in Detroit. After a 3-11 slide, the Pistons are currently a game out of the playoffs and going nowhere fast. While Dumars hoped the new-look Pistons would find a home near the top of the East this season, Smith has turned the Palace into a house of horrors, brick by brick.
Under-the-radar NBA leaders.
Labeling a player is just too easy to do. Fans do it. Scouts, coaches and league executives do it, as well. They see a player for what he is at that moment, because the evidence is right there in front of them.
However, the reality is that players grow and change during their NBA careers just as much as they do when making the initial jump from college to the NBA (or the pro leagues overseas). Labels can be shed. Those who fail to change and adapt don't stick around long.
There are a number of players who until this season have flown somewhat under the radar but are now playing nothing like their "label" would suggest and even ranking among the league leaders in particular categories. In the process, they have had an enormous impact this season, on their careers and their teams.
Lopez
Robin Lopez | C | Portland Trail Blazers
Notable stat: Fourth in offensive rebounds
Labels that were used to describe Lopez in the past were "strange," "lazy," "not very skilled," "doesn't love basketball." However, check out the league leaders in offensive rebounds this season. Sitting behind "man-child" Andre Drummond, "elite athlete" DeAndre Jordan and the "world's strongest post player" Nikola Pekovic, is the "strange" and "lazy" Robin Lopez.
It's true that Lopez is playing in a perfect system to snatch missed shots; Portland has lots of shooters who spread the floor and plays at a fast pace. He might be a role player on that team, but it takes size and heart, plus agility, to make the kind of impact Lopez has made. That is a huge key for good teams -- role players who aren't just "glue" guys but rather impact players.
Lopez is not just grabbing rebounds in the air, he is outcompeting guys to get those balls. His quick feet and omnipresence inside allows him to make plays on most missed shots, and he has improved his ability to go up and finish those missed shots in traffic. Simply put, he is a problem for opponents who must now account for him in their scouting reports. They are failing to do so thus far.
Thompson
Tristan Thompson | PF | Cleveland Cavaliers
Notable stat: Fifth in offensive rebounds
When we think of the game's top offensive rebounders, names like Dwight Howard, Kevin Love and Joakim Noah come to mind. These are relentless rim guys who have size, strength and, in Love's case, an amazing feel for where the ball is going.
This season, however, Thompson has more total offensive rebounds than all of them. He does an impressive job in two areas: he either runs right to the front of the rim and just waits for the miss or he quickly moves in between the man guarding him and the rim when he anticipates the shot being taken. He then lowers his hips and maneuvers into a position that makes it hard for his defender to move him away from the rim. It sounds simple but it requires effort and a willingness to get hit from all sides.
On defense, most bigs in this position try to push their man under the rim, where the only rebound to get is the one that falls through the net (thus no rebound at all), but Thompson's lower-body strength and those lowered hips make him very hard to push. From that point he can rely on his ability to tip or catch the missed shot with his long arms totally outstretched, showing excellent hand-eye coordination. Just 22 years old, there is still a ton of growth left in his game.
Belinelli
Marco Belinelli | SG | San Antonio Spurs
Notable stat: NBA's best 3-point percentage (48.3)
Kyle Korver generally is considered the league's best "pure" shooter, and with good reason. When asked "who's the best shooter in the league?" most people would answer Stephen Curry. But it is Belinelli who leads the league in 3-point percentage at 48.3 percent, an astonishingly impressive number for someone who has already taken 145 3s.
His success is the classic case of an already-special shooter going to a team with supreme coaching, spacing and talent surrounding him. Belinelli's form is spot on and he does a great job of completing his follow-through. He also moves to his spots more quickly than a lot of other shooters do when they play off someone else, giving him ample time to set before firing. It is not a coincidence that the Spurs have rehabbed the careers of Gary Neal and Danny Green and now Belinelli, though that should not take any credit away from the incredible season he has enjoyed thus far.
Pekovic
Nikola Pekovic | C | Minnesota Timberwolves
Notable stat: Among league leaders in points in the paint
When you think of the Timberwolves, you think of Love and whether or not he is long for the frozen tundra of Minnesota or whether he's eventually headed to Los Angeles or New York City. You also think of Ricky Rubio, who's leading the league in steals and second in assists, but the jury's still out on whether or not he is going to be a long-term starter due mainly to his scoring and shooting woes. Maybe you even think of their 0-11 start in close games -- they finally won a close one the other night in Golden State.
However, you should probably start thinking about Pekovic, as well. He might still be a bit stiff, but his combination of power and touch are now unmatched in the league, and he now has added some "craft" to his low-post game with an ability to face up and score. Pekovic already is well-established as a premier offensive rebounder, but now he should be mentioned among the few NBA post players who almost always need to be double-teamed. That few teams do double him is more in awareness to Minnesota's 3-point threats (notably Kevin Martin and Love) and a lack of awareness to Pekovic's new, and profound, post skills.
Johnson
James Johnson | SF/PF | Memphis Grizzlies
Notable stat: Leads the league in blocks among wings
Johnson always has been an intriguing athlete who never "figured it out." So he ended up just another former first-round pick who had to go to the D-League to right his ship. Now, as a Grizzly, he has become an integral part of one of the hottest teams in the league (8-2 in their past 10 games), while leading the league in blocked shots for wing players. Johnson blocks so many perimeter shots -- including 3s -- that shooters are having to account for him in their game prep.
He is a great leaper with exquisite timing, and he goes to block the shot at a spot beyond the shooter's hand, making it less likely he will foul them. This season, his ability to play either forward spot, along with the additions of Courtney Lee and Mike Miller, and Ed Davis last season, allows the Grizzlies to feature lineups with four top athletes on the court at one time or four 3-point threats, or even sometimes both. Compare that to a season ago, when their postseason starting lineup of Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Tayshaun Prince, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol (their most used lineup) had just one shooter and two athletes.
However, the reality is that players grow and change during their NBA careers just as much as they do when making the initial jump from college to the NBA (or the pro leagues overseas). Labels can be shed. Those who fail to change and adapt don't stick around long.
There are a number of players who until this season have flown somewhat under the radar but are now playing nothing like their "label" would suggest and even ranking among the league leaders in particular categories. In the process, they have had an enormous impact this season, on their careers and their teams.
Lopez
Robin Lopez | C | Portland Trail Blazers
Notable stat: Fourth in offensive rebounds
Labels that were used to describe Lopez in the past were "strange," "lazy," "not very skilled," "doesn't love basketball." However, check out the league leaders in offensive rebounds this season. Sitting behind "man-child" Andre Drummond, "elite athlete" DeAndre Jordan and the "world's strongest post player" Nikola Pekovic, is the "strange" and "lazy" Robin Lopez.
It's true that Lopez is playing in a perfect system to snatch missed shots; Portland has lots of shooters who spread the floor and plays at a fast pace. He might be a role player on that team, but it takes size and heart, plus agility, to make the kind of impact Lopez has made. That is a huge key for good teams -- role players who aren't just "glue" guys but rather impact players.
Lopez is not just grabbing rebounds in the air, he is outcompeting guys to get those balls. His quick feet and omnipresence inside allows him to make plays on most missed shots, and he has improved his ability to go up and finish those missed shots in traffic. Simply put, he is a problem for opponents who must now account for him in their scouting reports. They are failing to do so thus far.
Thompson
Tristan Thompson | PF | Cleveland Cavaliers
Notable stat: Fifth in offensive rebounds
When we think of the game's top offensive rebounders, names like Dwight Howard, Kevin Love and Joakim Noah come to mind. These are relentless rim guys who have size, strength and, in Love's case, an amazing feel for where the ball is going.
This season, however, Thompson has more total offensive rebounds than all of them. He does an impressive job in two areas: he either runs right to the front of the rim and just waits for the miss or he quickly moves in between the man guarding him and the rim when he anticipates the shot being taken. He then lowers his hips and maneuvers into a position that makes it hard for his defender to move him away from the rim. It sounds simple but it requires effort and a willingness to get hit from all sides.
On defense, most bigs in this position try to push their man under the rim, where the only rebound to get is the one that falls through the net (thus no rebound at all), but Thompson's lower-body strength and those lowered hips make him very hard to push. From that point he can rely on his ability to tip or catch the missed shot with his long arms totally outstretched, showing excellent hand-eye coordination. Just 22 years old, there is still a ton of growth left in his game.
Belinelli
Marco Belinelli | SG | San Antonio Spurs
Notable stat: NBA's best 3-point percentage (48.3)
Kyle Korver generally is considered the league's best "pure" shooter, and with good reason. When asked "who's the best shooter in the league?" most people would answer Stephen Curry. But it is Belinelli who leads the league in 3-point percentage at 48.3 percent, an astonishingly impressive number for someone who has already taken 145 3s.
His success is the classic case of an already-special shooter going to a team with supreme coaching, spacing and talent surrounding him. Belinelli's form is spot on and he does a great job of completing his follow-through. He also moves to his spots more quickly than a lot of other shooters do when they play off someone else, giving him ample time to set before firing. It is not a coincidence that the Spurs have rehabbed the careers of Gary Neal and Danny Green and now Belinelli, though that should not take any credit away from the incredible season he has enjoyed thus far.
Pekovic
Nikola Pekovic | C | Minnesota Timberwolves
Notable stat: Among league leaders in points in the paint
When you think of the Timberwolves, you think of Love and whether or not he is long for the frozen tundra of Minnesota or whether he's eventually headed to Los Angeles or New York City. You also think of Ricky Rubio, who's leading the league in steals and second in assists, but the jury's still out on whether or not he is going to be a long-term starter due mainly to his scoring and shooting woes. Maybe you even think of their 0-11 start in close games -- they finally won a close one the other night in Golden State.
However, you should probably start thinking about Pekovic, as well. He might still be a bit stiff, but his combination of power and touch are now unmatched in the league, and he now has added some "craft" to his low-post game with an ability to face up and score. Pekovic already is well-established as a premier offensive rebounder, but now he should be mentioned among the few NBA post players who almost always need to be double-teamed. That few teams do double him is more in awareness to Minnesota's 3-point threats (notably Kevin Martin and Love) and a lack of awareness to Pekovic's new, and profound, post skills.
Johnson
James Johnson | SF/PF | Memphis Grizzlies
Notable stat: Leads the league in blocks among wings
Johnson always has been an intriguing athlete who never "figured it out." So he ended up just another former first-round pick who had to go to the D-League to right his ship. Now, as a Grizzly, he has become an integral part of one of the hottest teams in the league (8-2 in their past 10 games), while leading the league in blocked shots for wing players. Johnson blocks so many perimeter shots -- including 3s -- that shooters are having to account for him in their game prep.
He is a great leaper with exquisite timing, and he goes to block the shot at a spot beyond the shooter's hand, making it less likely he will foul them. This season, his ability to play either forward spot, along with the additions of Courtney Lee and Mike Miller, and Ed Davis last season, allows the Grizzlies to feature lineups with four top athletes on the court at one time or four 3-point threats, or even sometimes both. Compare that to a season ago, when their postseason starting lineup of Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Tayshaun Prince, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol (their most used lineup) had just one shooter and two athletes.
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lawdog1
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Dang, man. That's a lot of Oreos. Do you get them from the market or just have them shipped directly to your house by Nabisco?
darthska
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THIIIIISSSSMint Oreo's?that just sounds awful
But then again, I eat Oreo's with Peanut Butter
MMMMAAAAAANNNN
KKKNNNNOOOOWWWSSSS!!!!!!!!
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Random but I still can't believe Bruce Bowen got his number retired
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antidope
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How come? He was a key contributor to that Roster. The only real Kobe stopper. Your disrespect is not appreciated.
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darthska
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In my defense, that will probably last me & my son and my girl through summer.
Probably.
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man i remember that story
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i think im gonna make a trip to the grocery store today 
on a thread related note, dwade is playing on weds
on a thread related note, dwade is playing on weds
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