Vote NOW for the CB Draft Playoffs, Conference Finals (Q&A Thread)

[Rondo2287]

If Lebron can get anywhere he wants on Maggette why do they have comparable stats in their career matchups?  Why is it that if Lebron can do whatever he wants he hasnt been able to outplay Maggette?

and as far as Jennings and CJ Miles, if you are going to use the shots per game argument for dirk and ilyasova lets be fair and use it for Jennings and Miles where in 3 less games Jennings took 14 more shots and only scored 4 more ppg.  So ya, my backup SG had very similar production as your Starting PG who you are hanging you hat on as your secondary scoring options. 

And your defense to my playoff experience is that Lebron and 2 backups have significant playoff experience as compared to 4 out of 5 of my starters??? and several of my backups.

And again if you want to depend on Jennings i will welcome it with open arms.  He is such an inefficient scorer i will take that all day and every day. 

The fact of the matter IP is that other than Lebron you just dont have the horses.  I have more offensive weapons and a far superior bench as well as more playoff experience.   We both have superstars, yours is going to be playing against a player who he scores 3 points less per game than his career average.

And mine is going against your weakest position in Ilyasova and whoever else you have once ilyasova gets in foul trouble.

LeBron and Maggette don't have comperable stats. LeBron has rattled off 6 straight wins against Maggette since 2005, he's got a better FG% in that time, he out scores him 5 points per 36 minutes in that span, he has almost 4x the number of assists as Maggette in the same time period, he easily doubles Maggette's steals and blocks per game. The only thing Maggette does better than James in the 6 times they have met since 2005 is rebound, and even that is pretty suspect.

Maggette led Golden State in rebounds per game last season at 5.3, among players who played more than 50 games, so I'm not buying Maggette as the better rebounder when his team had a +/- rebound rate of minus-10 per game, worst in the league. Maggette didn't have any one else to take his rebounds, while LeBron had Varejao, Jamison, O'Neal, and Illgauskus.

Amundson is as good if not better than anyone you have on your bench at defending and rebounding.

Also, CJ Miles..he's a good player. But, he had Deron WIlliams, the best point guard in the game, and Carlos Boozer producing for him, along with a balanced team of role players like Paul Millsap, and Wes Matthews.

Most nights Miles was the 4th best offensive player out there.

You say Brandon Jennings is an inefficient scorer, but he had one player, John Salmons, who even had a chance of creating his own shot after Bogut went down. He managed to hook the 3 seed Hawks into a 7 game series, as a leader. Also in 2 of the 3 wins, he was the leading scorer.

Whats CJ Miles got on that?

You can keep twisting and distorting statistics and judgments, but you've got nothing at all that shows you can even slow down the pick and roll from James and Jennings, and you've got no real theory on how you're going to score.

You say Maggette will score, well then you'll have to live with his efficiency rates. The last time Corey Maggette made the playoffs? That was in 2005-2006 when he had the help of a still peaking (but that was where it ended) Sam Cassell, and possibly the most underrated MVP candidate in the last 10 years, Elton Brand's 24 pts 10 rebounds season.

Even then, Maggette still had 18.7 points on 44% shooting, and one of the higher usage rates for his career.

Corey Maggette brings one thing to the table: He gets to the hoop. That's it. He can rebound, but hopefully you won't need him to much more than 5 per game with Nowitzki, Gortat, and Kidd around to help, and he can shoot FT's.

Against a team that was a high powered offense like say Phoenix (real life), that would be a great asset. But, you're playing against a team with a high-powered and superior defense. Maggette might be able to drop 20 points on me (while shooting 40% and needing 14 FGA's), but he doesn't pass and he doesn't defend. He's a one trick pony on a team where you have a master ringleader in Kidd and an established leader in Nowitzki. Why the heck are you letting a role player do all your scoring?

Lets put away the myth that citing stats is twisting stats. 

You wanna know how we score on your team? 

Well first there are the fast breaks that come from Jennings poor shot selection and shooting percentage. 


Second, Kidd runs the point, rip running off screens being wide open because Miller cant cover him.  Eventually you will have to either make a defensive substitution or players will have to cheat off their man to cover Rip of the screens at which point he can easily move the ball for easy baskets, rip is still a very good passer at this point in his career. 

Dirk will use his assortment of offensive skills either outside or in the post to score on Ilyasova, dont really need to run any plays for that.  Eventually when dirk posts up, someone will have to cheat to double team him at which point dirk either passes to the open Gortat under the basket, the slashing maggette, the open Kidd for three, or the open Rip for the midrange shot. 

And how do we defend the Lebron Jennings pick and roll?  Thats easy, we play under the pick and let Jennings shoot as much as he wants.  Kidd can still get a hand in his face because of his height advantage but we can easily live with Jennings shooting Chicago out of the game.

[Roy H.]

Regarding my matchup, unfortunately I think it's going to go by almost default to Phoenix.  I've got court tomorrow during the day, and have an appellate brief due Tuesday, so I'll be finishing that tomorrow night.

I'll put a few words together, but unfortunately, I won't be able to "debate".

In summary:  outside of Dwight Howard, I think Phoenix has a lack of front-line talent. 

[indeedproceed]

False,
Jennings, Ilyasova, and Miller are all average to below average defenders, lets not make these guys out to be lockdown guys. 

Lets stick with Jennings and Ilyasova for just one second before I discuss Mike Miller, because I think you're just kind of saying things to see if they stick.

The Milwaukee Bucks last season ranked 3rd in defensive efficiency with 100.9 points per 100 possessions. For those who don't know, that is very good. The best teams in the league tied at 100.2 pp100p, and our beloved Boston Celtics ranked 5th at 101.1 points per 100 possessions.

Brandon Jennings played the most total minutes for the Bucks, with 2673 mins, Ilyasova ranks 4th with 1895. If you'd like to give me some input on how either of these guys, by that statistic alone, shouldn't be considered above average defensively, I'd like to hear it. I can go on though.

Ilyasova ranks 2nd among all power forwards in charges taken. The top 5 rounds out Nick Collison, Ilyasova, Jared Jeffries, Luis Scola, and Andersen Varejao. That's pretty above average company.

Ilyasova and Jennings also pan out when you look at 5 man units. Of the top 5 defensive 5 man units for the Bucks,  Ilyasova is on all 5, and Jennings is on 4.

I've posted this before, but I think I will have to post it again regarding Jennings:

POINT GUARD

First Team - Rajon Rondo, Boston

Second Team - Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee
Don't laugh. While the book on Jennings was that he was too slight to be anything but a liability on defense, I've been impressed when I've seen him play and his numbers are strong across the board. In particular, Jennings' dMult of .864 (meaning opposing point guards produced at 86.4 percent of their usual rate against the Bucks) is tops among the point guards I considered.

Now, one last word on Ilyasova/Jennings: Andrew Bogut had a HECK of a defensive season last year. I'm not saying either one of these guys alone is going to hold either Nowitzki or Kidd to averages that are significantly below what they'd score against anyone else. But, Jennings is fast and fearless, and Kidd isn't going to be doing much shooting anyways. Ilyasova is just as fearless, and always gives 100%. He's 6'9 to 6'10 in shoes, and he's got a 7'1 wingspan.

Here is what the Truehoop Network Blog Bucksketball has to say about him:

Ilyasova has probably been at the center of more trade discussion with regard to the Bucks over the past few months than any other player and it’s as easy to understand as it is puzzling. He’s a valuable player. Ilyasova out performs his contract and seems to have room to grow. No one knows what kind of player Ilyasova will become, but most can agree that he’s the kind of player every team would love to have. Of the top 20 power forwards in total rebound rate last season, only Troy Murphy was more successful as a 3-point shooter.

Ilyasova finished last year with a better rebound rate that Dirk Nowitzki and higher field goal percentage than Rashard Lewis. All while showing enough energy on the defensive end to finish second among power forwards in charges taken.

You can play Ilyasova off as a 2-bit role player that is average defensively, but you don't have anything to stand on.

[indeedproceed]

Lets put away the myth that citing stats is twisting stats.  

Okay, let me re-phrase. You're citing stats without context to make a quick point, but you're not explaining them, and a significant amount of the time, you're glazing over the fact that the data's context slants towards your matchup. Sometimes it is uneven minutes (Ilyasova/Nowitzki), sometimes you're using 4 games as a basis when 2 of the games were played 3 years ago when my player was 21, and two of the games were played in the last season (Nowitzki/Ilyasova), or you're using stats from 5 years ago and pretending they're still relevant (Maggette/LeBron), or ignoring H2H numbers that don't do anything for you (Jennings/Kidd). Call that whatever you want to, I guess its my responsibility as the other GM to help people make sense of it.

You wanna know how we score on your team?  

Well first there are the fast breaks that come from Jennings poor shot selection and shooting percentage.  

Well, Jason Kidd is a pretty decent defender on shooting guards, but he can't keep up with Jennings on the pick and roll. You think Jennings will just chuck away? I'm okay with him shooting 3pters until you learn your lesson (37% last season from 3). You're not dealing with Rajon Rondo here, staying back on Jennings won't work.

And if Jennings does miss, who is going to get all those defensive rebounds? I've got 4/5 starters that have the better rebounding numbers. The only one you can contest is Maggette/LeBron, but I think if you look at the teams Maggette has played for in the last 4 years, and the rebounding numbers of the teams involved, that is a bit of an outlier.

Second, Kidd runs the point, rip running off screens being wide open because Miller cant cover him.  Eventually you will have to either make a defensive substitution or players will have to cheat off their man to cover Rip of the screens at which point he can easily move the ball for easy baskets, rip is still a very good passer at this point in his career.  

Sure, Rip's a heck of a passer, but he ain't much of a shooter. Not anymore. 40% from the field (43% for long 2's his preferred shot of choice).

Dirk will use his assortment of offensive skills either outside or in the post to score on Ilyasova, dont really need to run any plays for that.  Eventually when dirk posts up, someone will have to cheat to double team him at which point dirk either passes to the open Gortat under the basket, the slashing maggette, the open Kidd for three, or the open Rip for the midrange shot.

Ah, so you stole my offensive strategy of 'you're gonna have to help'? Thief!

I'm not going to let people help too much on Nowitzki. I know Nowitzki will score on Ilyasova, you'd be crazy to think anyone can hold Dirk. I am going to rotate the looks he gets though, shifting at any time Amundson, Noah, or Ilyasova on him. Ilyasova will take most of the assignment, but everyone will get a shot. Nowitzki won't be able to settle in anywhere, with Ilyasova mugging him on the perimeter, and Noah bullying him in the post, and Amundson playing the role of 6'9 Tony Allen, tough enough to contest Nowitzki in the post and long and athletic enough to get at him on the perimeter.

Now you're going to say 'what about Gortat?'

Well, what about him? He's 6'10, same listed height as Ilyasova. He's not a power guy, he's more finesse. On top of that, despite his pretty decent showing against the Celtics in 08-09 during the playoffs, Gortat his cut his chops on second units in Orlando. I think he's a productive center, and I think he's a starter, but he's not an above average starter. If you want to run your offense though Gortat when Ilyasova or Amundson are on him, be my guest.

And how do we defend the Lebron Jennings pick and roll?  Thats easy, we play under the pick and let Jennings shoot as much as he wants.  Kidd can still get a hand in his face because of his height advantage but we can easily live with Jennings shooting Chicago out of the game.

Jennings had to carry a Bucks team in 09/10. He won't have to carry my team. If you think LeBron, Alvin Gentry (in that order) are going to let him chuck away, you're nuts.

Also, I don't know if anyone saw this, but that whole "Maggette is the anti-LeBron" schtick didn't show up once in that explanation from my esteemed opponent.

[StartOrien]

Regarding my matchup, unfortunately I think it's going to go by almost default to Phoenix.  I've got court tomorrow during the day, and have an appellate brief due Tuesday, so I'll be finishing that tomorrow night.

I'll put a few words together, but unfortunately, I won't be able to "debate".

In summary:  outside of Dwight Howard, I think Phoenix has a lack of front-line talent. 

In the interest of fairness, Roy. I'll keep my comments/posts relatively brief tomorrow.

[indeedproceed]

Regarding my matchup, unfortunately I think it's going to go by almost default to Phoenix.  I've got court tomorrow during the day, and have an appellate brief due Tuesday, so I'll be finishing that tomorrow night.

I'll put a few words together, but unfortunately, I won't be able to "debate".

In summary:  outside of Dwight Howard, I think Phoenix has a lack of front-line talent. 

In the interest of fairness, Roy. I'll keep my comments/posts relatively brief tomorrow.

Sounds like collusion. You and Roy agree to keep quiet on your teams while in the East me and Rondo#### poke holes in each other's teams until no matter who wins we both bleed out. Then, whoever wins between Phoenix and Sacramento swoops in for the easy victory.

I believe, the West has united, Rondo. In the interest of advancing the East, I suggest you cease and desist in all your arguments against my team and allow me, as the #1 seed (and better team) take my victory.

Shall we agree...5 games, 4 landslides for Chicago and one double OT win by Milwaukee?

[Rondo2287]

Honestly My Defensive strategy here is to put J-Kidd on the shooting guard, whether that B Mike miller or TA. 

Rip on Lebron because i think that is probably my best matchup.  Rip has covered Lebron before in the past and can do as good as job as most. 

And Maggette will Cover Jennings.  He is quick enough to stay in front of him and long enough to bother most of his shots. 

[Fafnir]

Honestly My Defensive strategy here is to put J-Kidd on the shooting guard, whether that B Mike miller or TA.  

Rip on Lebron because i think that is probably my best matchup.  Rip has covered Lebron before in the past and can do as good as job as most.  

And Maggette will Cover Jennings.  He is quick enough to stay in front of him and long enough to bother most of his shots.  

Maggette is going to have trouble guarding Jennings too though, especially in the pick and roll.

Are you concerned about the what the cross matching will do to your rebounding and transition defense? Will you change your offensive strategy to try and get mismatches because of the cross matching?

[Rondo2287]

Honestly My Defensive strategy here is to put J-Kidd on the shooting guard, whether that B Mike miller or TA. 

Rip on Lebron because i think that is probably my best matchup.  Rip has covered Lebron before in the past and can do as good as job as most. 

And Maggette will Cover Jennings.  He is quick enough to stay in front of him and long enough to bother most of his shots. 

Maggette is going to have trouble guarding Jennings too though, especially in the pick and roll.

Are you concerned about the what the cross matching will do to your rebounding and transition defense?

Nah, While the Rip vs Lebron rebounding matchup will hurt.  I will gain a significant advantage in Maggette vs Jennings as well as Miller vs Kidd.  Kidd has always been a great rebounder and was more effective defending 2 guards than PG's last year. 

Also I think this will key my fast break offensive.  With Maggette guarding Jennings he will be available for quick outlet passes since he is my most explosive open court player.

[Fafnir]

Honestly My Defensive strategy here is to put J-Kidd on the shooting guard, whether that B Mike miller or TA. 

Rip on Lebron because i think that is probably my best matchup.  Rip has covered Lebron before in the past and can do as good as job as most. 

And Maggette will Cover Jennings.  He is quick enough to stay in front of him and long enough to bother most of his shots. 

Maggette is going to have trouble guarding Jennings too though, especially in the pick and roll.

Are you concerned about the what the cross matching will do to your rebounding and transition defense?

Nah, While the Rip vs Lebron rebounding matchup will hurt.  I will gain a significant advantage in Maggette vs Jennings as well as Miller vs Kidd.  Kidd has always been a great rebounder and was more effective defending 2 guards than PG's last year. 

Also I think this will key my fast break offensive.  With Maggette guarding Jennings he will be available for quick outlet passes since he is my most explosive open court player.

You'll lose rebounding if you do this Rondo, not gain it!

You're moving one of your better rebounding players from the 3 to the 1, he's going to be further from the hoop and have less opportunity to get rebounds.

Meanwhile you're moving Kidd onto Mike Miller who has a better rebounding rate (10.7 for Miller v. 8.9 Kidd) and the size that will make it a bit harder for Kidd to get his usual rebounds. I don't see how that's an advantage gained.

LeBron versus Rip, enough said....

Attacking in transition is a good idea if you're going with three cross matches though.

[Rondo2287]

Honestly My Defensive strategy here is to put J-Kidd on the shooting guard, whether that B Mike miller or TA. 

Rip on Lebron because i think that is probably my best matchup.  Rip has covered Lebron before in the past and can do as good as job as most. 

And Maggette will Cover Jennings.  He is quick enough to stay in front of him and long enough to bother most of his shots. 

Maggette is going to have trouble guarding Jennings too though, especially in the pick and roll.

Are you concerned about the what the cross matching will do to your rebounding and transition defense? Will you change your offensive strategy to try and get mismatches because of the cross matching?

And in terms of transition defense.  If lebron gets the ball in  transition im in trouble no matter who is guarding him, I think that is something IP and I can agree on!  Im not to worried about Miller in transistion, I think Kidd while playing on the perimeter most of the time in our offense should be able to stay on him.  The only matchup I fear from the cross matching is if Maggette goes to the bucket, misses and then Jennings keys the break. 

If this seems to cause problems we will adapt and change over to Rip Guarding Jennings, Kidd on Miller, and Maggette back to Lebron.

And lets remember Thibs is coaching my team if anybody can adjust defensively to what the other team is doing well its thibs.



EDIT: Ya now that i think about it I may just Do Rip on Jennings, and Kidd on Miller.

[Rondo2287]

Crickets...

[Fafnir]

So Rip's guarding Jennings and Maggette is guarding LeBron?

[Rondo2287]

So Rip's guarding Jennings and Maggette is guarding LeBron?

Ya, I think thats gonna be my strategy.  Sure Lebron is going to score his points, and i expect him to average around 30 for series, but i feel like Rip on Jennings is one of the best ways for me to limit the help that Lebron receives.

[Fafnir]

So Rip's guarding Jennings and Maggette is guarding LeBron?

Ya, I think thats gonna be my strategy.  Sure Lebron is going to score his points, and i expect him to average around 30 for series, but i feel like Rip on Jennings is one of the best ways for me to limit the help that Lebron receives.

Okay, well whenever you've made up you mind let me know.

A clear defensive strategy is one of the questions I have for your team.