Very good article by Seth Partnow http://bballbreakdown.com/2015/07/22/ty-lawsons-two-way-effect-on-the-rockets/ Summary: - Rockets were tied 2nd worst in the league in live ball turnovers. Teams score 30 points more per 100 possesion after they steal a live ball vs their normal scoring after "Dead Ball" situations (made shots, free throws and out of bound turnovers). That gap is 3 times the size of the gap between the best defense and the worst defense in the league. - We were 2nd in the playoffs in live ball turnovers. Our defense vs live ball turnovers was horrible. Throughout the season we were 24th in the league in defending after a live ball turnover. - Harden according to True Turnover % (based on turnovers vs number of scoring and playmaking possesions) was actually average. Rest of the Rockets are turnover prone (mainly Dwight and Josh). - Lawson had the 15th best turnover % in the league. Only 3 of those players on that list handled the ball more than Lawson. He also notes we had a huge amount of liveball turnovers in the first 4 games vs the Clippers.
Man, never realized how much good content that site had. Spent some time following their links, and they really do their homework. /thumbs up
If Lawson can significantly reduce our TOs, that will translate to better overall team defense ratings. Make no mistake.
Wow, we really made a DRAMATIC improvement to the roster in terms of turnovers. We were one of the worst. So we got one of the best passers in the league, and we got rid of the second most turnover prone player (Josh Smith). On a smaller scale, we also have Chuck taking Dorsey's spot and Chuck is a fantastic passer, rarely loses the ball.
If Lawson does not have to carry the team he will do other things like maybe care about defense. His role will change and so will his play --> Bosh in Toronto vs Miami
On paper it does appear to be a huge improvement , Lets just hope that those statistics translate to the court ....
TO's and general over-reliance on Harden quarterbacking the offense at all times are arguably our biggest weaknesses. Lawson is going to be huge! Side note: Don't take any comfort in hearing we weren't dead last in TO's last year. For all intents and purposes, we were. We led the league in overall TO's during the postseason, and trailed only Philly and Milwaukee during the regular season. Two teams that were associated with the trainwreck that is Michael Carter-Williams. Not to mention, Philly isn't even trying to win basketball games. But the fact that we were able to make it to the WC Finals while essentially leading the league in TO's is remarkable. You almost never see that happen.
Harden was never really a real PG. He's just one of the best playmaking SG in the NBA. Lawson is a good addition. McHale should stagger minutes. Playing off the ball 20 minutes a game will do wonders for Harden's overall FG%. His TS% could be off the charts.
How much court time / experience Lawson has had has little to nothing to do with how he will affect the aforementioned stats. On paper he appears to improve the team , we have to wait to see it on the court to know if he actually does .... It could be nirvana , it could be a train wreck or somewhere inbetween.
I expect his shooting to jump back close too his last season in okc when he won 6th man of the year. He shot around 49/39 with his always stellar 87-88% freethrow shooting. His game is going to be more effecient than Any season he's had in houston I can assure that. Him just handling the ball less is automatically going to effect his overal fg% in a positive. I'm excited because if he can up those percentages to 49/39/90 and avg 27-28 ppg with 6 and 6 he will win mvp. The league can't deny harden two years in a row with LeBron numbers and efficiency. Plus I expect to see to see the rockets have the best record in the NBA our team is stacked.
Sydeffect, effectively showings the presumed effects of Lawson! ... AND he didn't even uses special effects! ... ....... ....... .......
Seth Partnow: Seth Partnow is a former small college player and current armchair analyst. In addition to BBallbreakdown.com, his work can be found on the Hardwood Paroxysm Basketball Network, The Cauldron and Washington Post's "Fancy Stats" blog. He is also the host of the Make or Miss Podcast and can be found on twitter @SethPartnow. http://bballbreakdown.com/2015/07/22/ty-lawsons-two-way-effect-on-the-rockets/
Can't wait to hear: Harden is the best player on the best team but Steve a Curry deserve the MVP because he played with scrubs all year long
