Dragic

[Kolo]

I know Dragic has played really well lately, but I didn't know how well until I checked his stats and did a little math. Since February 1, his averages per 36 minutes are about 17 pts, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and he's shooting 50% on 2's, better than 50% on 3's, and 84% on free throws.

I tried to figure out his PER for the last 2 months, and I think it's probably about 14. His overall numbers per 36 minutes are better than Chalmers, Aaron Brooks, and Udrih; pretty close to D.J. Augustin, Steve Blake and Kirk Hinrich; and not very far behind Rodney Stuckey.

I realize that this discounts how badly he sucked the first few months of the season, and assumes that he'd play just as well for 36 minutes as he does for 12 min. (his actual average). But Kerr got ripped on this board for giving Dragic a four year contract, and Dragic has been ripped for playing so badly. I think it's becoming apparent that Dragic will be at worst a decent backup combo guard, and he has a chance to become a good starting pg, and Kerr and Dragic both deserve at least a little credit at this point.

 

[Roca Dolla]

haha dragic haters come out and play!

 

[Suns_fan69]

I know Dragic has played really well lately, but I didn't know how well until I checked his stats and did a little math. Since February 1, his averages per 36 minutes are about 17 pts, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and he's shooting 50% on 2's, better than 50% on 3's, and 84% on free throws.

I tried to figure out his PER for the last 2 months, and I think it's probably about 14. His overall numbers per 36 minutes are better than Chalmers, Aaron Brooks, and Udrih; pretty close to D.J. Augustin, Steve Blake and Kirk Hinrich; and not very far behind Rodney Stuckey.

I realize that this discounts how badly he sucked the first few months of the season, and assumes that he'd play just as well for 36 minutes as he does for 12 min. (his actual average). But Kerr got ripped on this board for giving Dragic a four year contract, and Dragic has been ripped for playing so badly. I think it's becoming apparent that Dragic will be at worst a decent backup combo guard, and he has a chance to become a good starting pg, and Kerr and Dragic both deserve at least a little credit at this point.

Out of sheer curiosity, is there a reason you calculated per 36 vs per 48?

 

[Mainstreet]

Dragic was not ready to make the transition from European basketball to NBA basketball earlier in the season. I project he will only get better, especially next season. He has showed some flashes that he is going to become a good NBA player. When rookies are developing this is what I look for because many rookies are inconsistent. Dragic looked like he belonged in the NBA last night against the Jazz. Sadly, Lopez has nor showed me any such flashes.

 

[joshstmarie]

Out of sheer curiosity, is there a reason you calculated per 36 vs per 48?

the stats would be too mind boggling for the dragic haters.

 

[TJ]

Love Dragic....still a work in progress, but think he will turn out to be a good PG in this league

Remember that Nash had his growing pains coming out of Santa Clara

 

[TucsonDevil]

I'm not horribly surprised with his output when/if given time. I believe that most rookies can have the same type of production when given the confidence and time on the court. What is surprising is the horrible output of Robin Lopez in relation to time given to him on the court.

I am not ready to name Dragic as the next Suns starting PG, but I did raise my eyebrows and get a bit more excited after he hit his second three pointer against the Jazz with the dish from Shaq. That got me thinking a bit...

 

[cly2tw]

the stats would be too mind boggling for the dragic haters.

But seriously, many just don't look how a player actually moves on the court and how they make decision. From the start, it was clear Dragic was smart with good basic tools, needig experience to mature. He was still bothered by Deron last night on both sides of the court in the 4th, but that was all necessary painful learning one has to get through. Harris didn't start to impress in his 5th season after being given the freedom on the Nets. Compared to most starting PG aside from the few truly elite ones, his learning curve is actually quite steep.

As to Lopez, it's harder for centers without many min. anyway, unless you are energy/hustle players like Lou. He might not be useful for the first 3 years though, not ready like what Kerr said.

 

[Kolo]

Out of sheer curiosity, is there a reason you calculated per 36 vs per 48?

That's how it's calculated on basketballreference.com (a great site by the way for more obscure stats).

 

[Folster]

Out of sheer curiosity, is there a reason you calculated per 36 vs per 48?

Probably because 36 mpg is a more realistic average for a starter. Not many players play every minute of the game, so calculating a per 48 gives you an unrealistic and inflated projection.

 

[Skkorpion]

Naw, Dragic is a bust. Ouchie assured us of that.

Incidentally, we should credit Steve Kerr for a gold bold move in the draft as evidenced by Dragic's improving play.

 

[PHX04]

i still have hope for this guy.. took Barbosa and Joe Johnson while to become where they are..

 

[Bufalay]

Lopez is averaging 30 points per 100 minutes.

 

[slinslin]

He will be a very good backup some day but never anything close to a star or our PG of the future.

There are too many great young PGs in the leauge (Rondo, Paul, Williams, Rose, Parker, Harris, Arenas...), many PGs with more talent (Conley, Sessions, Foye, Bayless, Westbrook, Stuckey, Felton, Augustin, Chalmers...) and the next 2 draft years will feature some great PG talent like Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, John Wall and some more proven college PGs who could turn out great.

Also Dragic turns 23 in a couple of month, he is just 4 years younger than Arenas and Parker.

 

[Cheesewater]

He will be a very good backup some day but never anything close to a star or our PG of the future.

That is definitely one opinion. Of course, you don't have to be a star to win a championship. I don't care if he's ever a "star".

There are too many great young PGs in the leauge (Rondo, Paul, Williams, Rose, Parker, Harris, Arenas...), many PGs with more talent (Conley, Sessions, Foye, Bayless, Westbrook, Stuckey, Felton, Augustin, Chalmers...) and the next 2 draft years will feature some great PG talent like Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, John Wall and some more proven college PGs who could turn out great.

How does "too many great young PGs in the league" affect Dragic? Are you thinking that the Suns will attempt to get one of those guys instead of starting Dragic? As far as "many PGs with more talent", Dragic is already equaling or outplaying Bayless and Chalmers. His numbers compare favorably with Conley and Felton as well.

Also Dragic turns 23 in a couple of month, he is just 4 years younger than Arenas and Parker.

So does Chalmers. What does that have to do with anything?

 

[Errntknght]

slin,

He will be a very good backup some day but never anything close to a star or our PG of the future.

The odds are certainly in your favor in saying he'll never be a star but its rash to say he'll never be our PG 'of the future'. The comparison with the other young PGs is pretty much irrelevant to that unless we get one of them on our team - and that was your only argument in support of your claim. If you actually see some fatal flaws in his game, don't hide them - let us all know.

My memory for who posts what isn't great but didn't you push Travis Diener hard in here for years? How does Dragic stack up against him, in your opinion?

One big thing Dragic has going for him is that Mike D'Antoni isn't coaching him.

 

[mojorizen7]

Lopez is averaging 30 points per 100 minutes.

"Goooood.....goooood......"

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[Cheesewater]

One big thing Dragic has going for him is that Mike D'Antoni isn't coaching him.

Nice.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Naw, Dragic is a bust. Ouchie assured us of that.

Incidentally, we should credit Steve Kerr for a gold bold move in the draft as evidenced by Dragic's improving play.

look at the sample size. i'm not sold. if i'm proven wrong i'll be happy to admit such. always have been. was wrong on the nash signing and gladly admitted it.

 

[Forrestham]

I think he was greatly helped by the coaching change. They can run ssol for the whole game. Since Dragic is giving productive minutes, Nash is not rushed back in to the game.
When TP was the coach he looked very timid. Under Gentry he is playing with a lot more confidence. He is proving he can play in the NBA. How many timed have w seen Nash rushed back in and then be gassed by the end of the game

 

[Errntknght]

look at the sample size. i'm not sold. if i'm proven wrong i'll be happy to admit such. always have been. was wrong on the nash signing and gladly admitted it.

How about the sample size for David Lee? Is it big enough yet to admit you were dead wrong about him?

 

[cly2tw]

slin,

The odds are certainly in your favor in saying he'll never be a star but its rash to say he'll never be our PG 'of the future'. The comparison with the other young PGs is pretty much irrelevant to that unless we get one of them on our team - and that was your only argument in support of your claim. If you actually see some fatal flaws in his game, don't hide them - let us all know.

My memory for who posts what isn't great but didn't you push Travis Diener hard in here for years? How does Dragic stack up against him, in your opinion?

One big thing Dragic has going for him is that Mike D'Antoni isn't coaching him.

That's the blessing indeed. Actually, despite everybody's hatred towards Porter, he was good for Barbosa's development. And Gentry, contrary to many's claim, is not copying DA at all. As long as he plays the bench as much as he has done, he is no DA. (Well, for the 6 game losing streak he was surely trying hard to emulate DA though. Thank goodness he learned!)

 

[haverford]

slin,
If you actually see some fatal flaws in his game, don't hide them - let us all know.

Can ya (re)teach a 21 year old how to dribble?

 

[Skkorpion]

He will be a very good backup some day but never anything close to a star or our PG of the future.

There are too many great young PGs in the leauge (Rondo, Paul, Williams, Rose, Parker, Harris, Arenas...), many PGs with more talent (Conley, Sessions, Foye, Bayless, Westbrook, Stuckey, Felton, Augustin, Chalmers...) and the next 2 draft years will feature some great PG talent like Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, John Wall and some more proven college PGs who could turn out great.

Also Dragic turns 23 in a couple of month, he is just 4 years younger than Arenas and Parker.

The above points are mostly opinions. Nothing more, nothing less. Some of us disagree with you.

 

[jlove]

There's really only ONE flaw that Dragic needs to re=evaluate in his game. He has the court vision (although nothing close to Nash's), the passing ability and the defensive abilities that we all want from a PG, however his one flaw is he dribbles to high and too far away from his body when making his moves in the lane. He was stripped or the ball was tipped from him numerous times last night and all season long. He needs to keep watching Nash and his ball handling as well as Barnes spin moves (ball location). Some of you might say Barnes doesn't have that great of handles, and I'll agree, however, he has one of the prettiest and most effective spin moves I've seen in many years.