NBA Hoyas

[vcjack]

Mixed bag on this opening night for our 4 guys in the league.

- Roy started and got 6 points and 9 boards, but let Al Horford score 24 in a losing effort against the Hawkes

- Its only the third quarter but Jeff is leading the way in a complete mauling of the Kings. Leading scorer with 21 points on 8-11 shooting (2-2 from the line). A very complete game for OKC overall with almost all starters in double digits.

- The Pistons and Grizzlies are playing each other but both AI and DaJuan haven't entered the game (Iverson didn't dress due to injury)

[MCIGuy]

Was able to watch much of the Pacers game thanks to the free NBA Pass. Indiana got off to a great start but the outside shooting cooled off. Roy actually did a very good job of keeping Horford from doing much damage in the paint. I recall Horford only scoring on Roy off a move in the paint just once. But Horford was unconscious from outside and stayed on the perimeter for most of the first three quarters. Scenario was the same: Horford off a screen ran out to the perimeter, Horford got the ball with Hibbert running out towards him, Horford hit the shot. Credit goes to him. Still I liked how Roy looked overall in running, passing, moving, etc. Horford just had one of those nights. Roy was winning the rebounding battle too before he picked up that third foul in the third quarter and sat. Speaking of fouls this may have been the first real NBA game in which Roy played huge minutes in the first quarter without picking up a foul. Hey, its progress.

The one thing I couldn't stand was when Roy made a tough baseline hook shot with his left hand and the commentators said he didn't have that shot last season. Well, actually he did. He has had that shot for four or five years to varying degrees of success. Basketball analysts always make those mistakes when commenting on relative new and unknown players whom they haven't see much of.

[HoyaChris]

Jeff played one of his best games ever scoring 24 on a very efficient 13 shots going 9-13 from the field and 4-5 from 3. He also added 8 boards and was credited with three blocks although that number might have been 5 or 6. He clearly spent the summer working on post moves and showed well.

As a Thunder fan I had managed down my expectations to expect something like 35-38 wins, but, despite the fact that Sacramento was the opponent, this years version of the Thunder looks like they might challenge for a playof spot. The key is that the offense looks much, much better because Russell Westbrook has become a real live point guard.
Their weakness will continue to be a vulnerability to teams that can pound it inside, but otherwise they will be a matchup nightmare when they have the ball in their hands.

[MCIGuy]

Still want Jeff to be traded away and play his more natural position for another team. He's getting to a point where he is now becoming a legit NBA SF. His handle will never be Pippen-esque but he can be better at posting up opponents than most Sfs. Anyway he can't keep playing with Durant because it puts Jeff at a disadvantage in too many games at the four position.

[TBird41]

Oct 28, 2009 22:58:53 GMT -5 MCIGuy said:

Still want Jeff to be traded away and play his more natural position for another team. He's getting to a point where he is now becoming a legit NBA SF. His handle will never be Pippen-esque but he can be better at posting up opponents than most Sfs. Anyway he can't keep playing with Durant because it puts Jeff at a disadvantage in too many games at the four position.

What team do you think would be a good / better fit for Jeff?

[blueandgray]

If jeff is going 4 for 5 from deep....anywhere on the court is his natural position.

[MCIGuy]

Oct 28, 2009 23:52:06 GMT -5 blueandgray said:

If jeff is going 4 for 5 from deep....anywhere on the court is his natural position.

Not sure if that makes any sense. All I do know is regardless of whether his shots are falling or not the truth is Jeff's rebounding numbers were pretty bad last season for a guy who was playing the PF spot. He's at a disadvantage playing against most PFs when it comes to both defending them in the paint and beating them on the boards. He would be better served playing the three.

[MCIGuy]

Oct 28, 2009 23:06:58 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

What team do you think would be a good / better fit for Jeff?

Dream scenario is the Miami Heat (as long as Wade stays) or perhaps a very good team like the Utah Jazz.

[royski]

In the modern NBA of small ball, Jeff is plenty big and strong enough to play the 4 against 80% of the line-ups in the league. He's unique as a 4; what does he do that's special as a 3?

[gtowndynasty]

Ty Lawson looked amazing tonight. His speed is superior to nba guys and I did not know that prior to seeing him actually on the court.

DaJuan Blair is gonna be beastly. Cant bleev his success is translating to the league at his height, even with strength.

Jeff Green is a beast and I expect that team, if kept together, to compete at the highest level in a few years (and with a better coach).

[MCIGuy]

Oct 29, 2009 0:19:57 GMT -5 royski said:

In the modern NBA of small ball, Jeff is plenty big and strong enough to play the 4 against 80% of the line-ups in the league.

Tell that to Oklahoma fans who watch most games. tell that to the members of the media who cover the team. Because they will let you know that Jeff's main flaws are i the two areas they need the most help right now : a)rebounding and b)interior defense. Of course its not all on Jeff. The Thunder could use an upgrade at the center spot. But unless a Dwight Howard type falls into their lap they are going to have to get much more from Jeff on the boards and indefending the paint.

He's unique as a 4; what does he do that's special as a 3?

Unique in that he's shorter and weighs less than the majority of starting PFs in the NBA?

[HoyaChris]

Oct 29, 2009 0:23:17 GMT -5 gtowndynasty said:

Ty Lawson looked amazing tonight. His speed is superior to nba guys and I did not know that prior to seeing him actually on the court.

DaJuan Blair is gonna be beastly. Cant bleev his success is translating to the league at his height, even with strength.

Jeff Green is a beast and I expect that team, if kept together, to compete at the highest level in a few years (and with a better coach).

I don't understand the better coach comment. The Thunder have improved significantly under Scott Brooks since he replaced PJ Carlesimo. Their 3 best players - Durant, Green and Westbrook - have each really improved. The team plays an interesting and potentially devastating offense. Their perimeter defense is much improved.

The team has one major issue. As currently constructed, the starting front line consists of two 3s (Durant and Green) and a skilled but soft 5 (Kristic). This is not an offensive problem but leaves them vulnerable defensively. Given his personnel, my view is that Brooks is making great progress. Why would one feel otherwise?

[gtowndynasty]

I say that because the tone around the league is that veterans are not too fond of Brooks. That came from his time in Sacramento tho so maybe his personality has changed a bit. And no team is winning a chip w/out quality veterans. Add to the fact he is unproven and hasnt ever coached a winner, even as an assistant.

That is all.

[TrueHoyaBlue]

It's a good thing there are no veterans left on the SonicThunders, then!

[TrueHoyaBlue]

Ooh, 2500 posts! Funny, I think it took me about 3 years for the first 2200, and 3 years for the last 300. Crazy what no longer working for g'town does on that count!

[kchoya]

Oct 29, 2009 5:48:07 GMT -5 MCIGuy said:

Oct 29, 2009 0:19:57 GMT -5 royski said:

In the modern NBA of small ball, Jeff is plenty big and strong enough to play the 4 against 80% of the line-ups in the league.

Unique in that he's shorter and weighs less than the majority of starting PFs in the NBA?

I don't think he's that much of an outlier. He's listed at 6-9, 235. Here are some PFs:

D. Nowitzki (DAL) 7-0, 245
T. Duncan (SAN) 6-11, 260
K. Garnett (BOS) 6-11, 253
J. Thompson (SAC) 6-11, 250
C. Villanueva (DET) 6-11, 232
D. Lee (NYK) 6-10, 250
C. Bosh (TOR) 6-10, 235
L. Odom (LAL) 6-10, 230
Z. Randolph (MEM) 6-9, 260
C. Boozer (UTA) 6-9, 258
J. Smith (DEN) 6-9, 240
D. West (NOS) 6-9, 240
A. Jamison (WAS) 6-9, 235
E. Brand (PHI) 6-8, 272


I don't think it's as big of deal as you think.

[MCIGuy]

Oct 29, 2009 13:12:33 GMT -5 kchoya said:

Oct 29, 2009 5:48:07 GMT -5 MCIGuy said:

Unique in that he's shorter and weighs less than the majority of starting PFs in the NBA?

I don't think he's that much of an outlier. He's listed at 6-9, 235. Here are some PFs:

D. Nowitzki (DAL) 7-0, 245
T. Duncan (SAN) 6-11, 260
K. Garnett (BOS) 6-11, 253
J. Thompson (SAC) 6-11, 250
C. Villanueva (DET) 6-11, 232
D. Lee (NYK) 6-10, 250
C. Bosh (TOR) 6-10, 235
L. Odom (LAL) 6-10, 230
Z. Randolph (MEM) 6-9, 260
C. Boozer (UTA) 6-9, 258
J. Smith (DEN) 6-9, 240
D. West (NOS) 6-9, 240
A. Jamison (WAS) 6-9, 235
E. Brand (PHI) 6-8, 272


I don't think it's as big of deal as you think.

Jeff is "listed" at 6'9 but it doesn't make a difference. Why make him do all the needed dirty work when that's not playing to his strengths. He's not DeJuan Blair who would fulfill a need by pulling down loads of rebound. Many experts, and I agree, think his upside is limited by having to play the PF role alongside Durant. Its in Jeff's best interests to get a chance to play SF. According to one source I came across Jeff's productivity and efficiency were higher whenever Durant wasn't on the floor with him (which meant Jeff was moved to the 3 during those moments in the game).

[SFHoya99]

The issue isn't the 3 or the 4 in my mind -- I think the issue to me is that Jeff is best used with the ball in his hands to some extent. He isn't a top tier superstar, but Durant isn't a distributor at all at this point. Jeff has become a good spot shooter, but you are completely nullifying his passing ability when you run every play through Durant.

I think Jeff would be better on a team that ran a more balanced/structured offense.

[FromTheBeginning]

What did Jeff ever do to deserve someone wanting him to have to go live in SLC? Living in OK City is bad enough.

[HoyaChris]

Oct 29, 2009 14:05:28 GMT -5 SFHoya99 said:

The issue isn't the 3 or the 4 in my mind -- I think the issue to me is that Jeff is best used with the ball in his hands to some extent. He isn't a top tier superstar, but Durant isn't a distributor at all at this point. Jeff has become a good spot shooter, but you are completely nullifying his passing ability when you run every play through Durant.

I think Jeff would be better on a team that ran a more balanced/structured offense.

This comment would have been true at the start of last season, but - admittedly based on one game - OKC's offense has changed. Westbrook dominated and distributed the ball and it was not a Durant centric offense. Plus Durant has become a much more willing passer.