I can't vote either. I do see AB a 6'-ish impact guy in this league, but I don't know if he can hold up as a starter. Morey has said that he plays better with the starters, but I'd argue that's because Yao sucks defenders and AB takes advantage of that. On the other hand I don't think he's demonstrated he can thrive in a "Yao- should-touch-the-ball-firstl" offense. Lowry's never been in that position in the NBA, but I fail to see how Morey or Adelman can expect either to know the "art" of the post-entry pass since neither have had to do it. This is a trade about a future trade and I believe TMac has dis-combobulated this franchise. But as you have said durvasa, Morey has been conservative (brilliantly to my mind) and this may be a situation where he's fairly sure we have 2 very good (& young) back-up pgs. It may be a masterstroke, or it could just be: This season's over, may as well take a shot and hope Adelman just doesn't say to hell with all this bs.
Here's a per-minute stats comparison over their respective careers: http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/tiny.cgi?id=91Lyg Code: [size=2] [B] Player From To G GS MP FGA FG% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PTS[/B] Aaron Brooks 2008 2009 103 7 1789 13.9 .405 6.0 .343 3.1 .875 3.3 4.5 0.8 0.2 2.4 16.1 Kyle Lowry 2007 2009 141 30 3335 9.7 .424 2.3 .258 5.8 .739 4.2 5.5 1.7 0.3 2.4 13.1[/size]
durvasa, The more I think about it, even though I made the same statement as you, I'm not so sure body type is the main factor in getting to the line more. If that was true, you wouldn't think guys like Iverson, Parker and Harris get there so often while a big-bodied PG like Kidd only averaged more than 4 FTAs per game 3 times in his career, and just barely. I think it's as much of a skill and a willingness to take abuse as body type, if not more. Having said that, it's obvious that Lowry is better at it. I'm just not sure it's mainly because of his build.
Lowry does seem to shoot the 3 too often for a guy that is currently very bad at it. But, so did Parker early in his career. I assume he'll learn to reduce the 3s until he gets good at it or permanently, if he doesn't.
I think its a combination of speed, being savvy enough about how to initiate contact and draw fouls, having the mentality to accept that contact, and having the toughness (and this is where body type factors in) to take the hit night in and night out. So you're right body type may not be an essential factor, but I think it certainly helps. Kidd is a classic pass-first PG, and he never really had that explosive first step (or at least I don't remember him having it), so I think that explains why he never got to the line a ton.
He's not too bad though. I definitely think he will learn to decrease his shot attempts from 3-point land as he progresses through his career, but he only averages one three-pointer per game. I'm ok with that.
Even if efficiency-wise you're not great at it, sometimes it's better for the offense to take that shot just to keep the defense honest. If the defense knows you'll never shoot a 3-pointer, as a PG you're giving them an advantage.
A guy like him it's probably good to have a 3 point shot early.. if you make it they think twice about playing off him.. if he doesn't then no change just one missed shot among many in a game. It's when a guy who can't shoot the shot consistently jacks up 3 or more without hitting that its a problem.
I'm psyched about Lowry in much the same way I was psyched about Brooks when watching him play summer league a couple of years ago. I have wanted a replacement for Rafer for a long time. I know a lot of people liked him but I could never get past his weaknesses. I'm looking forward to the competition between Lowry and Brooks and may the best man win. If neither works out, at least we're going in a different direction.
i don't think i've watched lowry enough to say anything. but just from the stat line you listed, his fta was quite impressive. that tells me he probably attacks the hoop quite a bit. but his 3pt % is an errr...
i dont want lowry to shoot 3s nor does he need to. we have enough of that on the team (brooks, wafer, artest, battier, barry) like i've said from the start, the rockets need a penetrating pg who aggressively attacks the basket and hooks up other players for open shots. lowry driving to the rim will draw attention away from our 3 pt shooters as well as yao who works in the post.
No doubt. And I think because there are some similarities in their styles of play, offensively, I think they may even rub off a little on each other. Maybe, Brooks can get better at taking contact and getting to the line by watching Lowry while Lowry can improve his outside shooting watching Brooks. Brooks should also be able to pick up a few things watching Lowry play defense based on all the reports regarding Lowry's abilities at that end.
I think it is going to be Lowry. Lowry has a thicker build, can play defense better, can rebound better, and probably has better court vision. The only thing category that Brooks > Lowry in is offense. But that can be taught and developed. You look at Rajon Rondo and Derek Fisher. Fisher is better than Rondo at shooting, but Rondo's team was the team that won it all.
