[Grantland] Case for a PG...and the Complicated Calculus of a 3-Point Shooter

Just another reason why not going hard for LMA was alright.

 

But at the same time, Trevor's 3-point percentage went from near 41% in his last season in Washington down to 35% in Houston.

I guess in Houston it is quantity > quality.

 

James Harden led the league in 3-pt assists last season - where is the case for a PG? If anything that seems to be a case against a PG.

 

Shooters keep shooting

 

Just visually speaking, from what I saw -- Wall generated a lot of 3's in transition. A lot of fastbreak and secondary break 3's while the defense was on their backheels. Wall would lead the offense towards the basket, Ariza would setup behind the arc, and Wall would kick it out to him unguarded -- while the defense was usually trying to fill the paint.

I don't see as much of that here from Harden. I'm not huge on Lawson but he'd definitely be able to contribute in that area.

 

They took a time to figure it out. His 3 pt percentage was 39 percent after the all-star break.

 

That article link on ESPN seemed like it would be epic, but it was pretty pedestrian. It's not a bad discussion, but the writer introduced very little on new data interpolation.

 

does not say his shooting %'s overall were either terrible or average until the 2nd round of the playoffs. i believe the main reason for this is cuz he was overused in the rs, averaging 39mpg the first two months. thought his minutes would go down when brewer got traded here, and they did but not for long.

they did it for the whole season even with brewer so i dunno if they'll catch onto that but im hoping they do. his fga will drop if the team can stay healthy.

 

He can't continue to be the only playmaker on this team. Game 5 against GSW was the biggest example of the need for another playmaker who can fit in with Harden.

 

Agreed. Harden doesn't pass on the break (as well he shouldn't), and we don't have anyone else who is a good facilitator and can lead a break.

 

I hope Dekker can become that guy

 

The Rockets are not necessarily looking for a classic point guard. I remember a recent interview with McHale after the season ended, in which he was very honest and said they aren't looking to take the ball out of Harden's hands but would like another creator.

Creating isn't necessarily someone like Rubio, it can be a guard that can get his own shot off and create for himself and others when Harden isn't on the floor. On offense, someone like Lawson is an excellent example...... unfortunately he isn't so appealing off the court.

 

I am not sure they even need or want the creator they are looking for to play with Harden for extended minutes. Just someone who could lead the bench and reduce Harden's minutes by 5-10 a game would be huge for this team.

 

The difference between Mike B's Korver and Thibbs Korver is the reason why coaches matter so much.

 

I think competition has a lot to do with it, in the East they feast on lottery teams way more than the West. I'm not even sure if Ariza's wouldve made the playoffs in the West that year.