Post by jupee on Apr 26, 2023 4:52:37 GMT -6
As a new member of ITP GM’s squad, I have decided to take a look what unites first 3 ITP champions, in search for a Championship recipe. Well, the obvious one, they were Western teams, but we all know it’s about to change – right?!?!
Score points, don't allow points, rebound the ball.
These three above should have been an easy target of my research. This actually fits if we talk about Spurs 2001 and Clippers 2002 – both teams were 3rd in Points Per game (107.9 and 110.0 accordingly) and 1st in defence (93.5 and 93.1 OPPG). Spurs 2001 were 3rd in rebounding (56.3) while Clippers leading the league (57.9) in 2002.
But there comes Trail Blazers 2000 and ruins my theory. Portland were 6th in points (107.5; let‘s call it a decent result), 8th in points per game allowed (98.4; already a bit much for a Champion) and 11th (!!! dude that‘s like mid-table!) in rebounding (54.3). How da hell you let Blazers win that ring? Portland GM’s glorious tactical mastermindness must have been at full display during the play-offs (this is how you turn it into compliment!).
Anyway, those three statistic parameters do not fit (thanks a lot, Trail Blazers), so let’s move on.
Share the ball without losing it much
The first clear match - assists per game. Blazers led the league with 25.6 in 2000, Spurs and Clippers took this an example and averaged accordingly 25.6 and 25.8 assists per game in their championship seasons (both teams were 2nd in league).
Then, all players of those teams took a good care of it. Portland averaged only 8.1 (4th in league) turnover per game, Clippers result was 8.2 (best in league). Spurs were a bit sloppier in 2001 (9.0, 8th), however, important fact here, across all three teams there were not a single player who would average 2 or more TO's. This includes point guards and bigs playing at Small Forward position.
Be aggressive, don’t settle for 3-pointer
What is more, all three championship teams were among Top5 in the league in Free throws attempted per game, showing aggressive style of play, forcing opponent teams to commit a lot of fouls. This translates in another category as well – three pointers attempted. Trail Blazers 2000 and Spurs 2001 would shoot less than one (!) from behind the arc. Clippers did 1.4 per game, but, of course, this too resulted in them being somewhere very low in 3PAPG statistics.
Kindly ask your starting center to average at least 20 PPG
Billy Paultz, Swen Nater and Artis Gilmore – all three did this, with Nater and Gilmore being top scorers in their teams. This for sure confirms the statement about “inside dominating” league I saw few days after joining ITP.
So there you go folks, 3 easy steps to win ITP title.* Just don't tell anyone.
*The author does not guarantee that this will work for your team.
These three above should have been an easy target of my research. This actually fits if we talk about Spurs 2001 and Clippers 2002 – both teams were 3rd in Points Per game (107.9 and 110.0 accordingly) and 1st in defence (93.5 and 93.1 OPPG). Spurs 2001 were 3rd in rebounding (56.3) while Clippers leading the league (57.9) in 2002.
But there comes Trail Blazers 2000 and ruins my theory. Portland were 6th in points (107.5; let‘s call it a decent result), 8th in points per game allowed (98.4; already a bit much for a Champion) and 11th (!!! dude that‘s like mid-table!) in rebounding (54.3). How da hell you let Blazers win that ring? Portland GM’s glorious tactical mastermindness must have been at full display during the play-offs (this is how you turn it into compliment!).
Anyway, those three statistic parameters do not fit (thanks a lot, Trail Blazers), so let’s move on.
Share the ball without losing it much
The first clear match - assists per game. Blazers led the league with 25.6 in 2000, Spurs and Clippers took this an example and averaged accordingly 25.6 and 25.8 assists per game in their championship seasons (both teams were 2nd in league).
Then, all players of those teams took a good care of it. Portland averaged only 8.1 (4th in league) turnover per game, Clippers result was 8.2 (best in league). Spurs were a bit sloppier in 2001 (9.0, 8th), however, important fact here, across all three teams there were not a single player who would average 2 or more TO's. This includes point guards and bigs playing at Small Forward position.
Be aggressive, don’t settle for 3-pointer
What is more, all three championship teams were among Top5 in the league in Free throws attempted per game, showing aggressive style of play, forcing opponent teams to commit a lot of fouls. This translates in another category as well – three pointers attempted. Trail Blazers 2000 and Spurs 2001 would shoot less than one (!) from behind the arc. Clippers did 1.4 per game, but, of course, this too resulted in them being somewhere very low in 3PAPG statistics.
Kindly ask your starting center to average at least 20 PPG
Billy Paultz, Swen Nater and Artis Gilmore – all three did this, with Nater and Gilmore being top scorers in their teams. This for sure confirms the statement about “inside dominating” league I saw few days after joining ITP.
So there you go folks, 3 easy steps to win ITP title.* Just don't tell anyone.
*The author does not guarantee that this will work for your team.
