And Pierce got destroyed by Deng last night.
Right now, Deng is like the better defending, better rebounding version of Pierce.
Ah so whomever played a good game most recently is the better player?
Deng is a less efficient scorer and overall a passive player who doesn't bring the playmaking Pierce does.
Faf, don't put words in my mouth. If you can't debate without doing it, then just please don't debate. I never said " whomever played a good game most recently is the better player", and you know it. In fact, you're the one who brought up Pierce's head-to-head performance, not me.
I brought that up because your primary argument to dispute me leaving Deng off my list was that he destroyed the Celtics last night, I took that as a reference to head to head play. But I don't think either of us is putting words in anyone's mouth.
In terms of efficiency, Deng and Pierce are about equal this year, with Deng being slightly ahead in eFG%. Deng doesn't have the ball in his hands as much as Pierce and is an inferior playmaker, but he also turns the ball over significantly less and is a much better rebounder and defender.
If you look at TS% rather than just eFG% Pierce edges him again due to getting to the cup more and being a better free throw shooter.
Deng is a better defender and rebounder, but the margins aren't big enough to make him a better player. 2 point better rebounding rate doesn't take him a cut above. Especially when Deng hasn't been a playmaker (until last night)
Either way http://bkref.com/tiny/Me6Ap look at the SFs were talking about. I don't think Deng jumps out as being the better overall player than any of them on this list.
Stats are pretty much irrelevant, though. For instance, you left Iggy off your list. There's a guy who looks mediocre statistically, but because of his defense, he's better than a guy like Gallinari overall. Deng is similar; when talking about small forward defense, I'd say it goes Lebron, Deng, Iggy, then everyone else.
Defense is 50% of the game, and I think it's being underrated in this discussion. I think Pierce's defense and overall play has fallen off a bit this year, and that's why I see him a step below Deng. Gallinari, Gay, and Granger don't belong in the conversation because of their average-to-poor spectrum of defense.
Topic: 2012 'Pick Two' Draft Board (Read 595385 times)