The 2017-2018 Around the NBA thread

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Westbrook needs 16 rebounds tonight to average a triple double for the season.

That's insane.

It was insane, before he accomplished the same thing last year. All while also averaging 30 points per game.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I wonder how long it will be for Rockets fans to start turning on D'Antoni because of his short rotations and lack of defense.

I don't follow the Rockets but I was under the impression they were one of the top defenses this season? Also, looking at Basketball Reference, they have 10 players averaging over 21 minutes per game.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I don't follow the Rockets but I was under the impression they were one of the top defenses this season? Also, looking at Basketball Reference, they have 10 players averaging over 21 minutes per game.

Only eight of which have played more than 40 games. If they were a really healthy team this year their rotation would have likely been 7-8 players.

 

[Hoop Head]

I don't follow the Rockets but I was under the impression they were one of the top defenses this season? Also, looking at Basketball Reference, they have 10 players averaging over 21 minutes per game.

Two of those players are Joe Johnson and Gerald Green who were both signed late in the season by the Rockets. They've been hit with injuries hard so their rotation isn't as big as you'd guess looking at minutes per game for the roster. Look at the games played for everyone or view the starting lineups to see who has missed a lot of time.

As far as their defense, I'm not sure they have a top defense so much as they just blow other teams out. The high point differential skews the stats some.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Only eight of which have played more than 40 games. If they were a really healthy team this year their rotation would have likely been 7-8 players.

Looking through their schedule, it seems to me that when they had the healthy bodies they typically used at least 8 or 9 players for at least 10 minutes per game. The Warriors had a lot of injuries and they only had 6 players that averaged 20 minutes. Portland only had 7 that went for 20 plus, Utah had 9. Teams such as Cleveland (trades) and Phoenix (injuries) had more than 10 but they appear to be the exception.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Two of those players are Joe Johnson and Gerald Green who were both signed late in the season by the Rockets. They've been hit with injuries hard so their rotation isn't as big as you'd guess looking at minutes per game for the roster. Look at the games played for everyone or view the starting lineups to see who has missed a lot of time.

As far as their defense, I'm not sure they have a top defense so much as they just blow other teams out. The high point differential skews the stats some.

They give up the 6th fewest points per 100 possessions. I think they are actually a very solid defensive team.

 

[AzStevenCal]

As far as their defense, I'm not sure they have a top defense so much as they just blow other teams out. The high point differential skews the stats some.

I think that's nitpicking quite a bit. And inaccurate. It looks to me like they allowed the 7th fewest points despite their pace.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Losing Mbah Moute certainly won't help the Rockets defense.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Losing Mbah Moute certainly won't help the Rockets defense.

Agreed. I always have mixed feelings about risking injury in unimportant games. After the fact it's an easy call but there's value in keeping them in game shape and in rhythm.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Westbrook needs 16 rebounds tonight to average a triple double for the season.

That's insane.

I knew the bigs boxing out for Westbrook was a thing, but it becomes even more obvious when you look at the rebounding on their roster. Adams is only averaging 3.9 defensive rebounds per game to Westbrook’s 8, but Adams is averaging 5.1 offensive rebounds per game. I think it is fair to say that Adams could easily be grabbing 3-4 of those boards that he is boxing out for Westbrook to get.

 

[elindholm]

I knew the bigs boxing out for Westbrook was a thing, but it becomes even more obvious when you look at the rebounding on their roster. Adams is only averaging 3.9 defensive rebounds per game to Westbrook’s 8, but Adams is averaging 5.1 offensive rebounds per game. I think it is fair to say that Adams could easily be grabbing 3-4 of those boards that he is boxing out for Westbrook to get.

Maybe. Adams is strong, and can show some agility once he gets moving, but mainly he looks clumsy, and he has bad hands. He's like a rich man's version of Alex Len. I think Westbrook gets so many defensive rebounds because he's quick to the ball. For offensive rebounds, Adams is already there claiming space.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Maybe. Adams is strong, and can show some agility once he gets moving, but mainly he looks clumsy, and he has bad hands. He's like a rich man's version of Alex Len. I think Westbrook gets so many defensive rebounds because he's quick to the ball. For offensive rebounds, Adams is already there claiming space.

This makes no sense to me. He is already claiming the space on defense too. Have you actually watched the Thunder play? They absolutely box out for Westbrook to get the rebound. I’m not suggesting it is about padding stats though. They do it so that Westbrook can get out in transition faster.

 

[elindholm]

Have you actually watched the Thunder play?

Yes. I'm a Westbrook fan, so I watch the Thunder more than I watch most teams (I have League Pass).

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Yes. I'm a Westbrook fan, so I watch the Thunder more than I watch most teams (I have League Pass).

And I wasn’t trying to off as smug when I asked that, but I’m every game I watch I see a lot of boxing out for Westbrook. I doubt he would average 10 rebounds without it.

“It's Adams boxing out so Westbrook can crash the boards“

http://m.newsok.com/article/5531329

P.S. I’m not suggesting that his numbers aren’t impressive, but they are at least partially caused by the way the team rebounds the ball.

 

[elindholm]

And I wasn’t trying to off as smug when I asked that, but I’m every game I watch I see a lot of boxing out for Westbrook. I doubt he would average 10 rebounds without it.

“It's Adams boxing out so Westbrook can crash the boards“

http://m.newsok.com/article/5531329

P.S. I’m not suggesting that his numbers aren’t impressive, but they are at least partially caused by the way the team rebounds the ball.

We may not be disagreeing. Boxing out is a "slower" skill than actually getting the rebound. Back when I played a little (badly), I was too stuck to the floor to collect rebounds very often, but I understood the principle of boxing out and got pretty good at it.

 

[Finito]

It's not really stat padding they do it so he can get the break going like it's been said. All you need to do is look at the record when Russ gets a triple double and when he doesn't

 

[Finito]

Philly crushing the Bucks. If the Bucks would have won they would of kept there pick, trust the process

Westbrook so far has 16 assist and 18 rebounds and has now officially averages a triple double in back to back years

 

[Cheesebeef]

This wolves team has wayyyyy too much talent to be this mediocre. Either that or Wiggins/Towns are vastly overrated.

Or Tibs just has no clue how to develop young offensive players. Watching the last quarter of their play-in game against Denver, I never saw ONE play called for either Towns or Wiggins. Lots of pick and roll with Teague and Gibson or Butler ISO, but nada from Wiggins or Towns.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

This wolves team has wayyyyy too much talent to be this mediocre. Either that or Wiggins/Towns are vastly overrated.

Or Tibs just has no clue how to develop young offensive players. Watching the last quarter of their play-in game against Denver, I never saw ONE play called for either Towns or Wiggins. Lots of pick and roll with Teague and Gibson or Butler ISO, but nada from Wiggins or Towns.

Wiggins is overrated for sure and neither Wiggins or Towns are particularly good on defense.

 

[sunsfan88]

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Pathetic loser, I hope he's out of a job tomorrow.

 

[Ronin]

Adrian Wojnarowski‏Verified account@wojespn
Knicks dismissed coach Jeff Hornacek, league sources tell ESPN. Management informed Hornacek of decision upon returning to New York late tonight.

 

[JCSunsfan]

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Pathetic loser, I hope he's out of a job tomorrow.

It’s a phrase people use without even thinking of the racial overtones. It would be nice in this society if we would give people the benefit of the doubt. He is obviously not intending to speak in a derogatory way.

 

[Ronin]

League source confirms the @OrlandoMagic have fired head coach Frank Vogel after two seasons.

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[Ronin]

Magic fired Jacque Vaughn in Feb. 2015. About to be on fourth head coach since, counting James Borrego, who was Vaughn's interim replacement -- ie 5 coaches in less than 5 years. Maybe they can resurrect Red Auerbach.

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[Hoop Head]

No surprise Hornacek was fired, I thought it would happen when they got rid of Phil Jackson. He was on borrowed time from that point forward.

Vogel is actually an intriguing prospect for the Suns to look at. I'd prefer a few other candidates but I like Vogel. He did pretty well in Indiana with a front office that would constantly meddle with the roster.