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The Importance of Carlos Delfino?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by chongx04, Jan 2, 2013.

  1. chongx04

    chongx04 Member

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    I hated this signing at the time because I thought he'd just be eating up rotation minutes for Royce White (lol) and Jeremy Lamb, but I've..well..reconsidered.

    Obviously we can look at simple W/L of 13/6, but that doesn't necessarily tell the entire story as some of our losses with him out were against top WCF teams like OKC and SA.

    He has a net48 of +9.7, which is over double that of the next player (Harden) at +4.4.

    The real question is if this is because our PFs are pretty poor compared to the rest of our team, and a lot of our minutes come from him playing alongside Parsons when we go small (our most effective lineups: http://www.82games.com/1213/1213HOU2.HTM). This article posted previously does a great job of elaborating on the effectiveness of our small lineup (http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/52997/big-and-small-in-the-nba).

    Obviously the sample size is extremely poor in regards to all of this partially statistical, partially subjective analysis, but it seems like we just don't seem to have enough offense without him, especially off of the bench. Obviously his 3 point ability is excellent, but his ability to run the floor and above average passing (especially for a player of his role) seems to really complete the offense.

    Delfino is probably just a product of his position in our system, but without a suitable replacement in the foreseeable future outside of a trade, he has surprisingly been an absolute key to the Rockets offense.

    The question is, if you could choose (obviously this is hypothetical because it all revolves around the talent available on the trading block) do you upgrade with a player at the 2/3 and improve our efficient small ball or the 3/4(clearly our weakest position on paper) and have Parsons play the 3 in a bigger lineup at crunch time?

    Is Carlos Delfino really elevating his game, or is he another sell-high system product?
     
  2. Dei

    Dei Member

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    He's like Derek Fisher+ when it comes to clutch time. + because he also plays within the offense.
     
  3. theaesirsfinest

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    He's elevating his game.

    Delfino's a good shooter, so he helps us space the floor. He's a good defender as well, so it's not like he makes us give up points. Those are obvious.

    However, his play-creating ability has stunned me this season. He's gotten our players great looks around the rim a lot more than one would expect, particularly through this sequence: dribble drive past a screen, bounce pass to Greg or Asik. He hits the open man pretty well and makes smart decisions on the court, which is why line-ups including him are so successful.
     
  4. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

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    True Veteran leadership. Those contested shots he takes must be taken.
     
  5. PureElement

    PureElement Member

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    He is a momentum changer, which is a big boost for a team that relies on momentum, rhythm and pace. He takes and makes contested threes and have no fear of shooting them, and sometimes that confidence is exactly what a young team like this needs. Plus hes a good passer, doesn't waste clock time and can defend.
     
  6. chongx04

    chongx04 Member

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    There is usually like 1 shot per game where he rafers it with like 20s left on the shotclock...I don't think those have to be taken, lol.


    He actually has the worst defnsive ppp of our rotation players (according to http://www.82games.com/1213/1213HOU1.HTM). The lineups featuring him often have the worse defensive ratings, but the defensive inefficiency is probably inflated by our small lineup and increased turnover rate during these lineups. I wouldn't say he's a good defender, but he's not atrocious.

    I completely agree with him getting our players some great looks around the rim. I love how good our 1-3s are at passing and playing within the offense.
     
  7. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

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    I don't think our players are selfish at all but sometimes we get shy. There is when Delfino happens, sets that tone. I trust him to make that shot cuz it don't look bad at all.
     
  8. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

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    In 15 out of 23 games we've outscored the other team with him on the floor. He does seem to add a veteran stability and all-around skill-set that mixes well with the rest of the youth. Before the game, McHale talked about Delfino's importance to the team, and the "intangible" qualities he brings that makes him a plus on the floor.
     
  9. langal

    langal Contributing Member

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    Not sure how "high" we could sell him for. Definitely wouldn't get the same value back in return. His play-making has totally surprised me.
     
  10. chongx04

    chongx04 Member

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    Yeah I'm not too sure either. Only a playoff team would probably trade for him. He might be part of a package though.
     
  11. jbasket

    jbasket Member

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    He is the only truly consistent three point shooter on our team. He is also really thick ;) weighing 230-235 ish so he can use his size in the small-ball lineup. I bet Morey planned that all along. Very few PFs can guard Delfino, or Parsons.
     
  12. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    He's like KY jelly. He lubes the offense and prevents it from getting sticky.
     
  13. meh

    meh Contributing Member

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    Delfino is what makes me so optimistic about our future. When he's on the court, there's more stability even through bad stretches. And you see how even just being a vet can make a difference in performance, regardless of skill level. Sometimes I get annoyed because his shot selection seems pretty bad. But in retrospect, many of them come when other players are doing badly and gun-shy. At that point, you need someone to step up just show that you need to fight through the bad stretches.

    That said, Delfino's +/- numbers are skewed because he missed the 2 Thunder games when we got our butts kicked. Not sure if he'd have made a difference, but certainly helped pad his stats in this regards. :grin:
     
  14. VanityHalfBlack

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    The ladies call him, Del-Fine-OOOOOOOO!!!!!
     
  15. ch0c0b0fr34k

    ch0c0b0fr34k Member

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    lol :grin:
     
  16. peter2012

    peter2012 Member

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    I am surprised that he can be this inconsistant! But he is a good passer for sure.
     
  17. duteman

    duteman Member

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    yup. if you watch certain games where we are in a good lead. Young teams that lack that killer instinct allows teams to grind their way back in. If you pay attention you'll see delfino is the cool vet that ices the game for us. several times I've seen teams cut the lead and delfino starts to make buckets to stop the bleeding.

    we need this type of player to put away games. Without a guy like him we'd be saying "we're losing games we should be winning" quite a bit
     
  18. Naija Texan

    Naija Texan Member

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    He's a veteran player, but more importantly, he is the only person besides that can backup Parsons or Harden at the SG and SF positions with size and speed comparable to average SGs or/and SFs. He isn't really that spectacular outside of his dedication to the 3 point shot but he hustles at times and is solid.

    Also give credit where it is due, he came into training camp late but has had the full confidence of the coaches from Game 1.
     
  19. tzou88

    tzou88 Member

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    There was a stretch where Rockets were lethargic which let to NO making their run last night and got close, Delfino fouled some guy on a fast break HARD, I'm pretty sure that pumped people up and we started dominating again. He rocks.
     
  20. CONAN 888

    CONAN 888 Rookie

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    Always need some firepower 3pnt specialist off the bench. He will be even more consistent now that he is not injured. Can use him as a stretch 4 like last night when they finished with the small line up to close out the game. After black Amish, Delfino makes the most 3's.
     

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