I was happy with the replacement of JVG with Rick because I thought this team had more offensive power than was being used and thought Rick could really get the most out of these guys. However, other than our 2 stars, most of our rotation players have had their shooting percentages drop significantly. What has happened? I know it’s only been a few games, but our supporting cast is looking pretty weak. Not looking for complaints or finger pointing – just does anyone have any good answers for those of us living out of town that can’t see too much more than some stats and recaps. Up: Yao 06/07 51% 07/08 55% +4% McGrady 06/07 43% 07/08 47% +4% Same: Hayes 06/07 57% 07/08 57% +0% Down: Battier 06/07 44/42% 07/08 37/33% -7% / -9% Rafer 06/07 37/36% 07/08 30/21% -7% / -15% Wells 06/07 41/14% 07/08 38/14% -3% / 0% James 06/07 42/37% 07/08 34/36% -8% / -1% Head 06/07 43/44% 07/08 40/10% -3% / -34% <--- (EDIT: SORRY - I didn't see this thread - http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=137700) Please lock...
Battier is taking less set shots at the baseline and when he does he misses them horribly. He's been taking more 3 pointers around the same area he made that game winner in LA. He's also been used more in motion for shots in transition and hasn't faired too well. He has shown he possesses a decent post up game when he uses it though. Rafer is well... Rafer. I think he had better open set shots under JVG's offense, yet under Adelman's offense I notice him taking at least one or two bad shots that are contested. He doesn't really make his teardrop shots at all, and even when he makes his 3s they just look horrible coming out of his hands. Plain and simple the open shots Rafer is getting are slightly more contested, and he feels entitled to take at least two bad shots a game as though he's McGrady after making three jumpers in a row. The Wells stat line is skewed. Wells played maybe 4 or 5 games last year? I think Wells is better as someone who just crashes the boards and comes up with offensive putbacks, or coming off the PnR around the top of the key. Utilizing him in the low post seems to result in a charge, or a contested fadeaway jumper which he surprisingly makes with consistency. James likes to go ISO sometimes and take contested shots. These are the same shots he was making when he draining jumpers at a 50% clip, only now he's missing. Last night against Memphis he a had string of 3 straight contested jumpers taken that resulted in no passes made, and 3 straight bricks. It was painful to watch considering he never got his teammates touches. He's much better when he takes his shots in the flow of the offense. Head is someone who I've been pleasantly surprised with unlike others on here. He's taking less 3 pointers which is ashame considering the % he made them last year, but he's shown amazing quickness and a knack for getting into the lane and making layups this year. Last season it was Luther around the perimeter and that was it. This year he's the polar opposite. Sadly he's still the same defensive liability he was last year. He's undersized at the SG position, and despite being quick offensively, gets manhandled against his defensive assignment. Unless he's getting steals for you, he's giving up 10 points to whoever he's assigned to guard. He still has no real PG instincts other than the basics, meaning who can't drive and dish or create for his teammates.
