Hoops

Halfway NBA predictions and surprises.

Roy Hibbert got the low 11 minutes due to the fact he struggled against Jordan's athletiscm and strength, he finished the game with 5 fouls, picked up his 3rd end of the 1st half, so not excactly foul trouble. He had a very low production per minute rate as well.

Andrew Bynum/Pau Gasol- He shared time between these 2. But his help defense on Gasol shut him down primarily.

25 minutes from Biedrins isn't that bad. Jordan kept him off the boards. Same in the other game, he completely held Biedrins off the boards, who is a great offensive rebounder.

Big Z no offense?? You sure?? He's in the rotation because of his shooting and offense. He had no impact on the game at all basically.

Nene completely dominates unless someone plays defense on him, check his game logs against weak defensive centres and then against strong defensive centres. And he's even had a few big games against good defensive bigs. So 12 and 9 is quite low impact for playing against a bad defender as you say.

Al Horford is the same thing, 8 and 10 is nowhere near this season production. So for playing against a bad defender 8 and 10 isn't excactly much at all, quite poor. Against weak defenders he usually scorches for near triple doubles. 20+ pts, 11+ reb and 6+ asts.

This Clipper's have been winning games on part due to their great defense, Jordan has been the anchor to that defense, Blake Griffin and Baron Davis aren't good defenders as of yet, Ryan Gomes and Eric Gordon are solid however. Teams are hesistate to attack the rim because their's a shot-blocking defensive presence, but he's always becoming a very solid on ball defender and in the pick and rolls. Which is going to be very tough to run against two athletic bigs like Griffin and Jordan. The Lakers could take lesson on how to defend a pick and roll from the Clippers.

Gasol is not a 13 and 8 guy even with Bynum, he's still a solid 20pts 11reb and 4ast. 8pts and 7reb in 30+ minutes is not normal for Biedrins. Whenever he gets that much court time you would expect at least 10+ boards and 10pts in his case. Ilgauskas got high minutes, his numbers are 5 and 5 because he as games of 5-10 minutes regularly. Horford usually torches opposing centre for 24pts 12reb and 5ast, but when some defense is played on him he usually struggles, thus making the 16 and 10 average.

DeAndre's defense woeful?
vs. Indiana- Roy Hibbert 2pts 4reb
vs. Lakers- Andrew Bynum 18pts 13reb
Pau Gasol 13pts 8reb
vs. GSW- Andris Biedrins 8pts 7reb
vs. Miami- Zydrunas Ilgauskas 2pts 6reb
vs. GSW- Andris Biedrins 0pts 6reb
vs. Denver- Nene 12pts 9reb
vs. Atlanta- Al Horford 8pts 10reb

That's just the games this month, he has held all of those players bar Nene and Bynum to below average games, so his defense is really really really woeful isn't it. On top of that he his protecting the paint with his shot blocking and making people think about their shots when they drive through the lane making them attempt a shot less likely to go in. DeAndre's improvement on the defensive end has helped the Clippers recent run as Blake Griffin's defense while solid for a rookie is still on the much needed improve. He's their future starting centre and just has to play the defensive side of the ball and dunk and rebound, and he's done his job.

I never said he will win it, just a candidate, no one will win it with Howard doing his thing, Bogut isn't even close, and his team needs to win games to be considered. But Jordan's defense in the Clippers recent run has been very good, or have you been watching something else. If the Clippers maintain the level of play and possibly make the playoffs or finish +500, he will certainly be a candidate, but he won't win it.

I agree that Griffin shouldn't be a rookie as he had a year to watch and learn the game from the sidelines, he is a rookie and clear winner unless Wall's training staff get their heads screwed on and look after the Wizard's injuries.

Ha ha TR, thought you might bite at that one.. ; )
Definately agree that there will be a trade soon with Charlotte, still trying to figure out MJ's plan there, like Silas as coach though.

My Rose over Amare argument is that the Bulls are leading the Central by 15 games due to this man. Like I said 24+ ppg 8+ apg. The bulls have had injuries all season, only 9 games played with all 5 starters on the court! He has been clutch all year (except the missed FT against LAC) and just got his first triple double with Noah and Boozer out injured.

MVP: Derrick Rose, Amare couldn't win this as Rose is leading a bunch of role players to wins, Boozer has missed a lot of time and so has Noah.

ROY: Blake Griffin, enough said.

COY: Jerry Sloan, he eventually has to win one doesn't he.

MIP: Eric Gordon/DeAndre Jordan. One of these 2, Michael Beasley hasn't improved, he's just on a weaker team and been given the ball. Eric Gordon has proved this season he can finish games off, and DeAndre will be a candiate for DPOY this season and many to come.

DPOY: Howard, no one is even close to him at the moment.

6th man: JJ Redick or Jamal Crawford

Surprises: Milwaukee's struggles. Mr. Griffin complete domination, could be the best player in the game if he keeps this up. Toronto might actually make the playoffs despite no talent, and the departure of Mr. Bosh. The New Jersey sitaution, with the trade almost certain to not happe now, stop the talk at least. As Melo is asking for talks with Dallas.

Surprise: How disappointing the Bucks have been since the performance last year.

Poor old Bogut still seems to be affected Post-arm injury. The man can still post and get into good position but he just can't seem to finish his shots atm. Seems to always play a game that could go 30/15 but just misses too much.

MVP: Has to be Amare. Rose is playing stellar ball but Amare has turned around a bottom dwellar into a finals contender now. Rose has certainly been consistant and has kept the Bulls in the playoffs for the past few years, but Amare has shown impact through the Knicks ladder position, nothing more.

ROY: Anyone who doesn't say Griffin is a tool.

DPoY: Howard again. I'd still rate Bogut 2nd.

MiP: Eric Gordon. The man can flat out score and with Griffin as a post man, he's shown flare as a good passer.

COY: Doc Rivers or Mike D'Antoni. Boston has maintained the best record so far, but D'Antoni has seen a resurgance in the Knicks. Old man Poppavich is certainly up there, but the Spurs have always been a top contender.

All-in-all, most of these awards go to Impact players who have shown some sort of major change in team player or individual play.

MVP is the tough one; Amare and Rose are both the contenders this year, but Amare just stands out IMO.

So long as Kobe, Wade or James don't win it, then I'm happy.

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