Daryl's nerd conference is going on. Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier: "You can play hard. . . but if you don't approach the game with a certain intelligence, you'll never reach the next level." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ben Gaines (@benjamingaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjamingaines/status/571312635087597568">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneBattier">@ShaneBattier</a> on the Rockets scouting reports he used as a player: "They could deconstruct a player to a percentage." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— James Mirtle (@mirtle) <a href="https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/571312913581015040">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier, to Van Gundy: "The most important thing you ever taught me: 'Two-point jumpers don't beat us.'" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SloanSportsConf">@SloanSportsConf</a></p>— Gill Alexander (@beatingthebook) <a href="https://twitter.com/beatingthebook/status/571313061828685825">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jackie calls Melo the antithesis to Battier as he is the most selfish player in the game. JVG: “I want that selfish guy on my team.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/CLNS_JaredWeiss/status/571313860885540867">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Shane Battier had most career steals and off. fouls drawn vs Carmelo Anthony. Most blocks vs Kobe Bryant. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Max Garland (@MaxGarlandTypes) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxGarlandTypes/status/571314103194673152">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Morey: JVG is the most successful defensive coach in 20 years according to their analytics. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/CLNS_JaredWeiss/status/571314235487227904">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Shane Battier’s story on how Spo told him to just do one thing for the championship <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Heat?src=hash">#Heat</a> team. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a> <a href="http://t.co/WoagWvCLRj">pic.twitter.com/WoagWvCLRj</a></p>— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/CLNS_JaredWeiss/status/571315416313794560">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>People get really mad when you buck the narrative & don't fit the mold of a "superstar," especially in sports. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Geoffrey Blosat (@GeoffTBlosat) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffTBlosat/status/571315678562660352">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"Kobe and Melo lead the league in looks of disdain" - Shane Battier on some of the respect (or disrespect) he got around the league <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Matt Cott (@KidCotti21) <a href="https://twitter.com/KidCotti21/status/571316080582520832">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Daryl Morey points out that players like Kevin Durant, Jason Richardson and Stephen Jackson torched Battier <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevekylerNBA/status/571316534557208576">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Discussing Josh Smith as an example of how players can change from being under/overvalued, based on the context <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Peter Ott (@PeterJOtt) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterJOtt/status/571316693928189953">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"It's a very humbling thing to get waived by a Van Gundy. They enjoy the process." - Morey. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ssac15?src=hash">#ssac15</a></p>— M.E.M.P.H.I.S. Fleek (@yolo_pinyato) <a href="https://twitter.com/yolo_pinyato/status/571316794931195904">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Daryl Morey on Josh Smith: Josh is unbelievable at getting the ball, attacking, shooting the three. It's been great for us. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ray Wang (@raywang0) <a href="https://twitter.com/raywang0/status/571317407245058048">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff Van Gundy says decision to release Josh Smith was about ownership and Stan's steel balls <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ssac15?src=hash">#ssac15</a> <a href="https://t.co/1n5mPE0Yv8">https://t.co/1n5mPE0Yv8</a></p>— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevekylerNBA/status/571317510303309825">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"Daryl, what's that term, regression to the mean? It's coming with Josh Smith" -Jeff Van Gundy to <a href="https://twitter.com/dmorey">@dmorey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Brian Geltzeiler (@hoopscritic) <a href="https://twitter.com/hoopscritic/status/571317705309093888">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Khris Middleton is 6th in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash">#NBA</a> in Real =/-, but his PER is 95th. Morey: "So he's the new Shane!" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/CLNS_JaredWeiss/status/571318337248104448">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff Van Gundy to Daryl Morey when DM questioned use of some of his own stats - "you either believe this **** or you don't" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Jeff Hughes (@SamoJeff) <a href="https://twitter.com/SamoJeff/status/571318881282699264">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"Dikembe Mutombo was actually better than Yao Ming in Houston" - <a href="https://twitter.com/dmorey">@dmorey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Nicholas Danforth (@ndanforth55) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndanforth55/status/571319024195387392">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Morey showed JVG data = Mutombo > Yao, but said they needed to play Yao. JVG: "You either believe this **** or you don't." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Brett Pollakoff (@BrettEP) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettEP/status/571319147008798720">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Morey: We were trying to figure out when to rest Yao and we were looking at the numbers and decided, we shouldn't ever sit Yao! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/CLNS_JaredWeiss/status/571319032172945408">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Morey explained that statistics show that 2 bad shots are always better than one good shots <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevekylerNBA/status/571320210952736768">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"It's not what you know, it's what you can impart on others." - Van Gundy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Colin William Weaver (@candid_colin) <a href="https://twitter.com/candid_colin/status/571320483465076736">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Rockets' Daryl Morey: 2 bad shots are better than 1 good one but only leads to one more win every two years. Probably not worth it <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ryan Petersen (@RyanPete) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanPete/status/571320660917682176">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff Van Gundy on the numbers vs heart debate that never ends: "The thing is you can do both." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— James Mirtle (@mirtle) <a href="https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/571322145105678336">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"Mike D'Antoni revolutionized NBA basketball with the pick and roll" - Jeff Van Gundy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Brian Geltzeiler (@hoopscritic) <a href="https://twitter.com/hoopscritic/status/571322654306775040">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Morey asked what next innovation in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash">#NBA</a> will be and he points to the defensive metrics papers being presented today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/CLNS_JaredWeiss/status/571322802541887488">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Great rant by Jeff Van Gundy at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a> about how to coach 4th grade girls basketball <a href="http://t.co/UeuwVi23Qi">pic.twitter.com/UeuwVi23Qi</a></p>— Bruce Temkin (@btemkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/btemkin/status/571324997446307840">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier: "I look at analytics as a tool, just like a jump shot or strength training." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ben Gaines (@benjamingaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjamingaines/status/571330640471314432">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sue Bird points out that not every player can "handle" analytics the way Shane Battier can. Players have been "taught not to think." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ben Gaines (@benjamingaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjamingaines/status/571330910429286400">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Shane Battier: "For me, the numbers deconstructed who these players were. It gave me that much better a chance of guarding him." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ben Gaines (@benjamingaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjamingaines/status/571331183071662080">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier: Too much analytical info can weigh a player down offensively, but defensively, the more I know, the better off I'll be" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MasonGinsberg/status/571331615445655552">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"What people who say 'I don't believe those numbers' really mean is 'I don't believe that guy telling me those things'" Mike Zarren <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Seth Partnow (@SethPartnow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SethPartnow/status/571331745259360257">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>“You live by the three, you die by the three. Well, we lived 62 times.” -- Mike D'Antoni <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Robert Silverman (@BobSaietta) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobSaietta/status/571331979012153344">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Shane Battier said data helped his D immensely, but made him lose all creativity on offense because he was obsessed with efficiency. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Matt Walks (@mgwalks) <a href="https://twitter.com/mgwalks/status/571332607188836353">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"We are still stuck where the best players are ball-stoppers." -Mike D'Antoni <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Jordan Brenner (@JordanBrenner) <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanBrenner/status/571333925873819648">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier on "positionless basketball": "We're just talking about creating space to let talent do what they do." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SloanSportsConf">@SloanSportsConf</a></p>— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MasonGinsberg/status/571334104249176064">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier: "To play positionless basketball, you better have a "4" who is willing to take some serious punishment." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MasonGinsberg/status/571334320729804800">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Bird: To me, positionless basketball is all about mismatches. When all 30 teams start doing it, the advantage goes away. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MasonGinsberg/status/571335251466846209">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier: It's hard work to always play at a fast pace. It's difficult to keep up all season long. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MasonGinsberg/status/571336298725814272">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier on how to motivate: "Peer pressure is the most powerful force on a sports team. Someone come up with analytics for that." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ben Gaines (@benjamingaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjamingaines/status/571336724992950272">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier: "The peer pressure of Duncan, Parker Ginobili . . . is more important than anything Pop can say." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ben Gaines (@benjamingaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjamingaines/status/571336929347813376">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Zarren suggests that there may be upcoming changes to NBA schedule to space out the 82 games, but games won't be cut, period. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ben Gaines (@benjamingaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjamingaines/status/571338249773432833">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Celtics assistant GM Mike Zarren presents two proposed NBA draft wheels. Would combat tanking. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a> <a href="http://t.co/DKz9Qa609E">pic.twitter.com/DKz9Qa609E</a></p>— Matt Dollinger (@matt_dollinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/matt_dollinger/status/571342042418298880">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sue Bird mentioned WNBA is trying to deter tanking by accounting for record the last 2 years. Sam Hinkie should buy a WNBA team. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) <a href="https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/571342763582726144">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Mike D'Antoni on coaching a ball-stopper like Carmelo: "They are doing great things with therapy, I'm good." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Matt Dollinger (@matt_dollinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/matt_dollinger/status/571344251403022336">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier on Melo: "He is not about reinvention. Last 2 years I guarded him, he did exactly what the scouting report said he would." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Brett Pollakoff (@BrettEP) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettEP/status/571344617595117568">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Battier: Melo's game hasn't evolved over the years. "You knew exactly what he would do." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Paul Gift (@MMAanalytics) <a href="https://twitter.com/MMAanalytics/status/571344790580809729">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Shane Battier says analytics are like a drug. "Once you get hooked on that number drug, you want more." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Matt Dollinger (@matt_dollinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/matt_dollinger/status/571321445327998976">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Shane Battier said LeBron and Tracy McGrady were best basketball minds he's played with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ssac15?src=hash">#ssac15</a> <a href="https://t.co/xaHFLuOr0g">https://t.co/xaHFLuOr0g</a></p>— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevekylerNBA/status/571321418916499457">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff & Daryl talked about how they decided on Shane Battier. Fit perfectly w/ system even though he didn't have staggering stats. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ssac15?src=hash">#ssac15</a></p>— Geoffrey Blosat (@GeoffTBlosat) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffTBlosat/status/571310943847751680">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Daryl Morey got killed for giving up a first round pick for Shane Battier; JVG saw how Battier would enhance team strengths. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a></p>— Ben Gaines (@benjamingaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjamingaines/status/571310733247549440">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Research Paper - how ball movement creates open shots <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ssac15?src=hash">#ssac15</a> <a href="http://t.co/86sCgcL1Os">pic.twitter.com/86sCgcL1Os</a></p>— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevekylerNBA/status/571359911680069634">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Path of a basketball in an entire NBA game <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SloanSportsConf">@SloanSportsConf</a> <a href="http://t.co/9s41nx8Sps">pic.twitter.com/9s41nx8Sps</a></p>— Ray Wang (@raywang0) <a href="https://twitter.com/raywang0/status/571364043707027456">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Path of a basketball in an entire NBA game <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAC15?src=hash">#SSAC15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SloanSportsConf">@SloanSportsConf</a> <a href="http://t.co/9s41nx8Sps">pic.twitter.com/9s41nx8Sps</a></p>— Ray Wang (@raywang0) <a href="https://twitter.com/raywang0/status/571364043707027456">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ummm...what? I loved Dikembe when he was here. He filled a pretty similar role that Jason Terry is to our team now. He was always the most energetic cheerleader off the bench, he was an old guy that surprised me when he started playing by being better than I was expecting, and helped to provide depth to our bench. Dikembe was better then than Terry is now, but sort of similar. But, as much as I love him, saying he was better than Yao? Seriously?
I wonder if that's factoring in defensive presence (ancient Mutombo was still a bigger defensive force than Yao) and age scaling.
Our record was just as good when Yao was injured when Deke was here. The problem is that Deke couldn't play starter minutes at his age. We lost to the Lakers after Yao went down because Deke was already injured.
Maybe if you include age scaling. When Mutombo played for us, he was still a good defender and good rebounder. Probably better than Yao on that end, but if he was then he wasn't significantly better. He had regressed a lot from his DPOY years. If you include offense at all, then it is not even a contest at all. Like I said, I loved Dikembe and what he did while he was here. But almost 40 year old Dikembe couldn't compare to prime Yao
Combined with this I don't get it Morey: We were trying to figure out when to rest Yao and we were looking at the numbers and decided, we shouldn't ever sit Yao! #SSAC15
Dikembe was really good as a Rocket, especially in his first couple of years in here with Van Gundy when Yao Ming was still learning the ropes. He just could not stay on the court for long. When Yao got injured and Dikembe started he would be great, but then get knee pains and had to sit out after a dozen games.
Yes, we are long overdue for another thread on the Battier/Gay trade (with a little tanking for B Roy thrown in)!
