Defending Durant
Written by Robert Eckstut   
Friday, 10 May 2013 08:24

Spurred on from a twitter exchange, I am going to detail KD and the defense that has been played against him so far. So, thanks to Sean Pyritz for the inspiration!


Kevin Durant has gone wild in the 2 games of the MEM – OKC series so far. Some may even say he’s gone “HAM”. His two lines are ridiculous: 13-26, 0-2, 9-10, 3 TO for 35 (G1) and 11-21, 3-9, 11-12, 5 TO for 36 (G2). This leads to 21-35 from 2pt land, 3-12 from 3pt land, 20-22 at the line, and 7 TOs, for a startling 71 points on 61* possessions. (Plus a few ancillary benefits which we will not get into here, such as 15 assists, plenty of created offensive rebound opportunities, and the natural double teams and so on which allow for others to score more easily).

*Please note that KD has taken the techs as well as received and-1s, which is why his possession count is lower than his raw numbers would imply. He has 4 And-1s, 1 tech FT, and was fouled once on a 3pt attempt. He’s @ 1.16 PPP, which against this top-ranked MEM defense, is startling awesome.

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Last Updated on Friday, 10 May 2013 08:31
 
Hack-An-Asik
Written by Robert Eckstut   
Thursday, 02 May 2013 06:06

 

The Thunder began Hack-An-Asik @ the 5:50 mark of the 4th Q. Serge Ibaka committed a foul to put the Rockets in the penalty, and it signified Asik was going to get fouled each time down the floor. Harden, 3 seconds later, jacked a 38 footer anticipating the foul. (It was not called) The score was 93-83, a 10pt advantage for the Rockets. From the 5:50 mark to the 3:53 mark (at which point OKC ceased the strategy) 1 minute and 57 seconds had gone off the clock, and the score stood at 101-92, a 9pt advantage for the Rockets. So: Was this a successful strategy? Was it wise? Let’s investigate.

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Last Updated on Thursday, 02 May 2013 06:27
 
Bayless and the Grizzlies Second Unit
Written by Robert Eckstut   
Monday, 29 April 2013 14:19

By Guest Writer Phillip Davey

As most people probably know by this point, the Grizzlies offense isn't pretty. It often proves effective, although much of their success is based upon setting multiple screens, exploiting tiny slivers of space, precise interior passing and crashing the glass. It's the embodiment of a "grind it out" offense. Michael Conley is a vital cog, acting as the glue that holds it all together. He's an excellent ball handler, an uncanny passer, the team's best threat outside, and he has a variety of moves with which he can get into the lane and score quite easily. His ability to create both for himself and others is one that is lacking with him on the bench, to the point where the Grizzlies have been outscored by 7 points/100 possessions while he's off the court. In short, the Grizzlies flounder whenever the 2nd unit is on the floor.

 

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Last Updated on Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:11
 
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Points Per Possession