Errp. He's an idiot. And not only in the sense that DoD and others point out. He's positionally horrible. He doesn't get in the right spots to board and play D. I'd take him as a back-up, but wouldn't invest all that much in him.
Celebrating at the stupidest times does. Dude you're down 20 and you're running around talking smack like you just hit the game winning shot. That's dumb. I'm sorry, I've had enough of dumb the past few years from this organization's players. This past season, we got away from it and it felt good. Of course I think we regressed during the playoffs when we talked about beating the Mavs and waving signs and symbols like we had won something already. Anyway, maybe he's changed his ways or can change his ways, but mental lapses and JVG do not get along. Maybe I should've said his play was dumb and not him. I don't know... What's his 15 foot jumper like anyway? I said it when this season started - the PF will get wide open looks in this offense from around 14-18 feet. We need a PF that can hit that shot. And with Howard's health (and contract) I was hoping it would be someone younger, more athletic, and cheaper.
This is the other thing I noticed in the few games I've watched him. He relies more on his athletic ability to grab boards than really being in the right place at the right time or, like haven put it, positioning himself correctly. You'd see him come flying in from nowhere to grab a board or block a shot - sometimes resulting in a foul or goaltend and other times resulting in a great play. I'm trying to think of a player I can compare him to from what I've seen of him and am drawing a blank... Good athleticism, low bball IQ. How does that fit into JVG's system? Is he a JVG type player? You tell me. We need to get more athletic, no doubt, but not at the expense of blowing trips up the court due to bad play.
It doesn't exist. 82 games breaks down players' shot attempts and eFG% percentages. eFG% rewards 3 point range, so keep that in mind for Marshall and Walker's numbers. For example, Juwan Howard had 71% of his attempts considered "jumpers" and shot 42.3% in that situation. Ryan Bowen had 66% of his attempts considered "jumpers" and shot 43.8%. Chris Andersen took 39% jumpers and shot 33.1%. Considering how much people probably played off of him, that's not a good thing. Of course, Stromile Swift was even uglier- 48% jumpers for 28.2%. For the curious, Abdur-Rahim shot 42% jumpers for 41.5%, and Toine with the Celtics shot 43% jumpers for 41.7% Reggie Evans shot 22% jumpers for 20%. Ouch. Donyell Marshall took 75% jumpers for a ridiculous eFG% of 54.5%.
The 15 foot foul line jump shot is a skill that can be practiced and developed over time to be effective. It's very similiar to the free throw shot except for a faster release. I don't think Howard even comes off the ground on that 15 foot jumper. He just comes up on the balls of his feet. How many big men have we seen learn to shoot a free throw when they couldn't shoot a lick? How many big men have we seen learn to shoot the mid-range jumper ala Amare this year? You can learn to shoot a 15 footer. You can't learn quickness, timing, and athletic ability. Andersen has the last 3. He just needs to learn to shoot the little mid-range shot and he will be very effective, especially in a Van Gundy system that is predicated on defense, rebounding, and shot blocking, much needed skills on this team. If we can get Andersen, (and I can't see any team offering him much over $3 mil for 3 years), then we should get him. He's obviously from this area and all things being the same, I'm sure he'd like to play here at home for a winning organization. We need athelticism, quickness, defensive ability, and shot blocking. We're gonna get it somewhere.
Andersen opted out to get a longer term deal and maybe more money. He is not worth much more than he was getting but someone, even New Orleans probably will give it to him. If the Rocket take him he is just a backup to JH. I would be disappointed if he was our big free agent signing this summer. Unless of course there is a big trade.
So why haven't so many big men learned to shoot the 15-ft jumper? It's not as simple as practicing and then shooting. Some guys can shoot, some guys can't, Andersen can't and I don't want the Rockets to wait until he "learns" how to. Andersen could be a nice backup for the Rockets, but nothing more. IF Andersen is our only addition at PF, then we are screwed.
I'd rather take a chance that Anderson can learn to shoot the 15 footer than to take a chance that suddenly SAR is gonna learn to defend, block shots, and rebound. Chandler can't throw it in the ocean either but people are all over him. Andersen would be good value at $3 mil per, a rotational 4/5 who could become Yao's primary backup when Deke is gone. I'm not saying he's a starter or a star. I'm saying he's an upgrade over what we have at the 4 now, Spoon, Baker, etc.
how in God's name does bowen have a better percentage than howard in those stats? there is just no possible way. howard was practically automatic for long stretches. it was a minor miracle if bowen made it and a nice surprise if it was fairly close. i know perception isn't always reality, but everyone's perception of bowen sucking at shooting can't be wrong. and damn marshall blows everyone away. which is why i want him on this team.
Like Oxymorons? How 'bout Jumbo Shrimp, Wonder Woman, or a Clipper's Championship Team... or better yet, how 'bout the NBA's Most Underrated player???
SAR is already and has always been a good rebounder. And SAR is definitely stronger than Andersen, which will be better when trying to defend the Duncans and KG's of the league. I think everyone knows Chandler's lack of offensive skill, but the guy is a MONSTER on the boards and defends extremely well. I agree w/ you that Andersen would be a nice backup, it's just that some of the posters feel he could be the solution at PF.
That is exactly why they have minimum attempts in the final season rankings, otherwise a player that played one minute and went 1-1 would win the best shooting percentage in the league. Howard probably shot 10-20 times more shots than Bowen, and Bowen when he's wide open isn't a terrible shooter. The fact is that he'll ONLY shoot when he is completely open, whereas Howard, although not one to force a lot of shots, doesn't mind shooting if someone if covering him (thus a more difficult shot that would typically lead to a lower shooting percentage).
This is who I've been calling for. He's an absolute freak of nature athletically, he plays hard, and he's a Houston kid. As for being dumb... He wanted to play for UH and A&M and couldn't get in to either of them. He didn't qualify. For an athlete not to get in to college, you need to be pretty low on the IQ scale! Even still, the kid is a gamer, and I'd absolutely LOVE to see him in Houston next year. And as I have mentioend before.... His dad owns a kick ass biker bar in Grimes County. Would be a great place to watch his games!
If we're just talking about a roster spot, then fine. Three mil. is chump change these days, but if we're going to add only one pf I want more than Anderson.
At first I was strongly against signing Andersen (I still don't believe he should start) but after looking at the stats, I've softened my stance, slightly. Of all the players on the New Orleans Hornets last year, Andersen had the highest +/- rating at 8.1. With him on the court, the Hornets' defense allowed 105.2 points per 100 possessions, with him off the court, 111.3 points per 100 possessions. Effective FG% Allowed went from 46.8% with him on the court to 50.4% with him off the court. So maybe I was wrong - for the right price, Andersen might be capable of being a strong backup for the Rox. But he's still not a starter.
What are his disadvantages when compared with Cato? I think he can do all that Cato is expected to do and his salary will be much cheaper.
