Keeping the pattern of positive threads going, here's a few things I'm seeing that are different from last year that I don't think people are talking about. 1. We are #2 in FT% behind Toronto at 81.5%, compared to last year when we were in the low 70s. It helps when Tmac, Landry, and Scola, three of your worst free throw shooters last season are giving you 80%, 90% and 93% respectively. Will this be the story all season? I think we will fall a little because Scola and Landry shooting 90% from the line is just unreal, but Tmac is supposed to shoot high 70s low 80s from the line. 2. 5 guys on our team average double figures: Thats Brooks, Tmac, Artest, Yao and Scola. This is compared to the.. what 3 that averaged double figures last year? And we had some help getting those guys over 10 a game with the injuries to Yao and McGrady. 3. Alston #6 on the team in FGAs: Not good, but an improvement over last season when he attempted the 3rd most FGs on the team. For the curious, the list goes Artest, Tmac, Yao, Scola, Brooks then Alston.
And to top it off, we are still missing one of our better vocal leaders/on-court coaches in Battier. His hustle reverberates throughout the entire roster, so when he gets back I can invision even more gritty play on defense and a true reliable set-shooter from the corner three (sorely lacking thus far, with the exception of Artest). We will also have the best second unit in basketball when Artest leads Brooks, Landry, and Barry (maybe Mutumbo) onto the floor. I think they will be able to bring in that same energy that Sura and Jon brought out few years ago. It's going to be hard for teams to adjust to us with our first unit deploying plays like a machine, and our second hustling and running. It would be poetic if we could get Jon and Sura uniform just for their hand signals after big threes.
I'm not expecting a turnaround when Battier gets back, but it will be nice to not have to play Artest 39 minutes a game because he's the only good wing defender we have.
I'm really impressed with Mcgrady's free throw shooting. He worked on his free throws during the off-season and now i don't cringe so much when he goes to the line
We've had 5 guys with PER's over 18 for much of the early season so far. As it stands here are our top PER guys: 1. Landry 20.10 2. Yao 19.74 3. T-Mac 19.52 4. Scola 17.36 5. Brooks 17.00 Compare this to last year's stats, and remember that Yao was out all of the second half last year: 1. Yao 22.55 2. Landry 21.41 3. T-Mac 18.60 4. Scola 16.13 (and the rest are below 14) It's a pretty safe bet to say that we are more efficient on offense this year, AND anyone who's watched us would agree that we're playing like crap right now. If we can turn our defense back up with the return of Battier, we should be able to pull a +5 to +8 point differential which should be good for second in the conference behind the Lakers.
We're playing pathetic basketball and second in the western conference. We only need to make sure were are solidly in the playoffs while McLazy gets his butt healthy and in gear.
Brooks and Landry are the only bright spot so far. Can't wait until Shane get back because he's the true leader of the team. He direct traffic and set the tone at both ends. He's the consistency we're missing.
it's been said time and time again that Brooks is PERFECT off the bench. By no means should he stay playing limited minutes however. Keep him on the bench for that sparkplug, but also let him play with the starters and raising his MPG to around the 28-32 minute mark. Positives? Well I guess they've all been said. We are 2nd in the west with only average level of play and we don't have Battier back. There is lots of promise with this team. And even though I have stated my opinions about changing the team drastically, I think this team has a good chance to redeem itself form previous first round exits. If they can make the conference semis, I say we keep the core and make minor changes that result in a championship next season.
Brooks can't set up the offense like Rafer can. Thats why you see either Brooks with Tmac or Brooks with Barry at SG. Plus, he just got owned by a 35 year old backup PG today so I don't know if its time to start crying for Brooks to start. They should both get about the same amount of minutes at the end of the season.
Why are you want Brooks become our starter so much? He had proven that he is better off the bench,not starters, when Brooks and Landry in the court our offense is much smooth. AB's speed and Landry's passion, can easier display their function...
Indeed, I dont care who shot most, although he scored 17 pts, but vs Magic his shooting percentage is only 37.5%(6/16) that's too low.
He's trying to showcase his offensive talent or whatever its called too much at times. Maybe its because he doesn't want brooks outshining him in the offense department.
Overall, the team has looked discombobulated, and they are second in the conference. That's a positive. What will happen if they start playing well? This is a team of "if's." If Yao and TMac can get healthy and STAY healthy. If Barry ever makes a shot. If Brooks continues his hot play. If Scola and Landry get more consistent. If Rafer doesn't take 16 shots. If Artest finds the range. If the Rockets get a back up center other than Mutombo. Etc. When "if's" and "but's" become fruits and nuts, we will all have a Merry Christmas.
