Around The League: Preseason Edition
Feb 6, 2024 17:37:44 GMT -6
kipper, redrum741, and 2 more like this
Post by New York Knicks on Feb 6, 2024 17:37:44 GMT -6
Who's Hot
They say preseason doesn't matter. But it still feels good to see your team go 13-1. Just ask the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers won 13 of their 14 games while scoring over 119 PPG. That offense was fueled by the big 3 of Ford, Mashburn, and Lavine. F.M.L turned into F.Y.L for the opposition. As the trio combined for just under 85 PPG. Led by Jamal Mashburn with 32.6 PPG on 52.3 % FG shooting/47.8 % 3P shooting. Mashburn was #3 in the whole league in scoring. His wing man Lavine was 7th in scoring with 29.2 PPG. While Ford was top 5 in assists (10.4). Everything was clicking offensively, and the defense wasn't much worse, as they were 9th in opponent field goal percentage (43.8). Defense had been an area of concern in previous years, but with new additions Isaiah Stewart and PJ Brown it looks like they're gonna be a little more stingy this year. Points won't be as easy to come by against them. Ask the Cavs they'll tell you. Pacers just held them to 76 points. So with an improved defense and a prolific offense, watch out for the Pacers in 2011.
Who's Not
I <3 John is back, but the Atlanta Hawks still suck. They wrapped up the preseason with a 3-11 record. To be fair they did have a quality win against the New York Knicks (106-99). But that was only the 5th time in 14 games where they scored over 100 points. Offense was a major issue in the preseason with the exception of Paul Pierce (28.0 PPG). As a team they averaged just 98.3 PPG, which ranks 28th out of 29 teams. Their 42.4 Offensive field goal percentage ranks 27th. As we mentioned Pierce was scoring 28 per game, but their next highest scorer wqs Chuck Share (13.3). He's been a tough watch on offense with 41.3 FG% and 3.1 TPG. Bad shots and turnovers are a bad offenses best friend. Chris Webber shot just over 40 %. Randy Foye (40.4%) and Al Skinner (39.4%) struggled with their shot as well. It's a 1 man show in Atlanta right now. It's just Iso Pierce like Iso Joe back in the day. It's gonna be a long ugly year for the Hawks with lots of Paul Pierce points and Atlanta Hawks losses.
More News Around The League
- Pierce isn't the only 1 man show in the Central Division. Kevin Durant is gonna be carrying this struggling Cavs franchise on his back. He averaged 23.7 PPG in the preseason. Reminder he's just 20 years old.
- 20 Years old is about the average age of the Milwaukee Bucks roster. They are stacked with high lottery picks: Noah, Rahim, LeBron, Ginobili, Bibby, Price, and their newest toy Latrell Sprewell. Will this be the year the Bucks finally compete? So far it's looking like a hell no. 5-10 record with a -9 PPG differential.
- There's been alot of talk about the defensive potential of Greg Oden. We're starting to see the words manifest. He averaged 12.1 RPG and 2.9 BPG at just 20 years old. Future defensive player of the year?
- Acie Law is proving that he's more than just a 3rd guard. Even though he is currently stuck behind Bing and Marbury in Detroit. But he got a chance to start in the preseason and averaged 22.7 PPG 9.1 APG.
- Speaking of getting a chance. Robert Traylor was stuck in the D League for the first 3 years of his professional basketball career. He got his first chance to finally play main roster minutes in the preseason, and he responded with 24/11 on 50 % shooting.
- The Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs last year, and one of the reasons for that was the inconsistent play of Penny Hardaway. He looked better this preseason averaging over 27 PPG.
- The Washington Wizards was one of the legitimate candidates for "Who's Not". They have looked awful in the preseason going 2-9 and giving up over 111 PPG.
- Miami gave Marcus Smart 2 years 47 million in free agency, and they got him coming off the bench. I don't know about that. I say put Smart at the point, and slide Francis over to SG to offset his turnovers. Smart/Francis backcourt would be nasty together.
- What I do know, is that John Drew still got it. The 33 year old averaged 28 PPG during the preseason. Drew has averaged at least 20 PPG in all 11 years he's been in the league. It's gonna be 12 at the end of this season.
- Jalen Smith averaged nearly 13 rebounds per game. It's crazy to think this guy has been making under 2 mil over the last 3-4 years.
- Philadelphia had the #1 scoring defense in the league (93.3) this preseason. They also had the #29 scoring offense (97.5).
- The Brad Daugherty redemption story continues. He was a former lottery pick of the Houston Rockets. They gave up on him while he was still on his rookie contract. He was released, and landed with Portland last year. Played well for them and helped them get to the WCF. This year be signed a 1 year deal with the Nets, and he's averaging damn near 20/10. Good for you Brad.
- Former St John's product Rysheed Jordan played in some big games in Madison Square Garden during his collegiate days. And now he's back in MSG as a member of the Knicks. Rysheed had spent the last 3 year's with New York's Dleague affiliate. But now he's officially a member of the main roster. He looked pretty solid in the preseason averaging 7 PPG and 50 % Three Point Shooting.
- Houston we got a problem. Ricky Davis is becoming a Mother Fning monster. 25.3 PPG. Ricky Buckets is finally living up to his name.
- The Denver Nuggets were the highest scoring team in the West (117.2). But we're dead last in the whole league in scoring defense (114.5). It's like Philadelphia but in reverse.
- Son surpassing father? Kevin Garnett Jr averaged 14.0 PPG in the preseason. SR averaged only 8.8 PPG.
- Shawn Marion led the entire ITP in preseason scoring (33.6). If Kareem could do a little better than 35.5 FG %, the Jazz might be the team to beat in the West (despite their 6-8 preseason record).
- #1 overall pick Shaquille O'Neal averaged 12.5 PPG during the preseason.
- But #15 overall pick Matt Geiger averaged 18.3.
- Spurs hired a new General Manager today. Welcome PimTig to the league.
- Sonics still have the same General Manager, broadwaytra3 , and he means business. His Sonics won 13 of their 15 preseason games. They had 4 different players average at least 18 PPG (Andre Miller, Damon Stoudamire, Giannis Antetekounmpo, and David West).
- The Golden State Warriors didn't have as much of a diverse attack as Seattle. They just gave the ball to Allen Iverson and he went crazy. He put up 31.9 PPG/10.4 APG for the 11-3 Warriors.
- Tyus Jones put up big numbers of his own with 25.6 PPG during the preseason. He averaged 6.9 PPG in the first 7 years of his career. Fluke or Breakout?
- Mike Conley is the point guard of the future for the LA Lakers. But Theo Maledon is teaching the young buck how it's done: 29.7 PPG 6 RPG 9.2 APG 51.6 FG 93.0 FT 49.3 3PT.
- The Clippers traded Randle and Edwards, now they look kinda small with Money, Jason Williams, and Dwade all starting out there together. The result was the Clippers having a -3.5 RPG differential.
- Sacramento is placing Karlton Hines on the trade block? I know one place where he'd be welcomed.
- Baron Davis/Lamar Odom didn't play much in the preseason. This is gonna be a very important Year 3 for both years.
They say preseason doesn't matter. But it still feels good to see your team go 13-1. Just ask the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers won 13 of their 14 games while scoring over 119 PPG. That offense was fueled by the big 3 of Ford, Mashburn, and Lavine. F.M.L turned into F.Y.L for the opposition. As the trio combined for just under 85 PPG. Led by Jamal Mashburn with 32.6 PPG on 52.3 % FG shooting/47.8 % 3P shooting. Mashburn was #3 in the whole league in scoring. His wing man Lavine was 7th in scoring with 29.2 PPG. While Ford was top 5 in assists (10.4). Everything was clicking offensively, and the defense wasn't much worse, as they were 9th in opponent field goal percentage (43.8). Defense had been an area of concern in previous years, but with new additions Isaiah Stewart and PJ Brown it looks like they're gonna be a little more stingy this year. Points won't be as easy to come by against them. Ask the Cavs they'll tell you. Pacers just held them to 76 points. So with an improved defense and a prolific offense, watch out for the Pacers in 2011.
Who's Not
I <3 John is back, but the Atlanta Hawks still suck. They wrapped up the preseason with a 3-11 record. To be fair they did have a quality win against the New York Knicks (106-99). But that was only the 5th time in 14 games where they scored over 100 points. Offense was a major issue in the preseason with the exception of Paul Pierce (28.0 PPG). As a team they averaged just 98.3 PPG, which ranks 28th out of 29 teams. Their 42.4 Offensive field goal percentage ranks 27th. As we mentioned Pierce was scoring 28 per game, but their next highest scorer wqs Chuck Share (13.3). He's been a tough watch on offense with 41.3 FG% and 3.1 TPG. Bad shots and turnovers are a bad offenses best friend. Chris Webber shot just over 40 %. Randy Foye (40.4%) and Al Skinner (39.4%) struggled with their shot as well. It's a 1 man show in Atlanta right now. It's just Iso Pierce like Iso Joe back in the day. It's gonna be a long ugly year for the Hawks with lots of Paul Pierce points and Atlanta Hawks losses.
More News Around The League
- Pierce isn't the only 1 man show in the Central Division. Kevin Durant is gonna be carrying this struggling Cavs franchise on his back. He averaged 23.7 PPG in the preseason. Reminder he's just 20 years old.
- 20 Years old is about the average age of the Milwaukee Bucks roster. They are stacked with high lottery picks: Noah, Rahim, LeBron, Ginobili, Bibby, Price, and their newest toy Latrell Sprewell. Will this be the year the Bucks finally compete? So far it's looking like a hell no. 5-10 record with a -9 PPG differential.
- There's been alot of talk about the defensive potential of Greg Oden. We're starting to see the words manifest. He averaged 12.1 RPG and 2.9 BPG at just 20 years old. Future defensive player of the year?
- Acie Law is proving that he's more than just a 3rd guard. Even though he is currently stuck behind Bing and Marbury in Detroit. But he got a chance to start in the preseason and averaged 22.7 PPG 9.1 APG.
- Speaking of getting a chance. Robert Traylor was stuck in the D League for the first 3 years of his professional basketball career. He got his first chance to finally play main roster minutes in the preseason, and he responded with 24/11 on 50 % shooting.
- The Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs last year, and one of the reasons for that was the inconsistent play of Penny Hardaway. He looked better this preseason averaging over 27 PPG.
- The Washington Wizards was one of the legitimate candidates for "Who's Not". They have looked awful in the preseason going 2-9 and giving up over 111 PPG.
- Miami gave Marcus Smart 2 years 47 million in free agency, and they got him coming off the bench. I don't know about that. I say put Smart at the point, and slide Francis over to SG to offset his turnovers. Smart/Francis backcourt would be nasty together.
- What I do know, is that John Drew still got it. The 33 year old averaged 28 PPG during the preseason. Drew has averaged at least 20 PPG in all 11 years he's been in the league. It's gonna be 12 at the end of this season.
- Jalen Smith averaged nearly 13 rebounds per game. It's crazy to think this guy has been making under 2 mil over the last 3-4 years.
- Philadelphia had the #1 scoring defense in the league (93.3) this preseason. They also had the #29 scoring offense (97.5).
- The Brad Daugherty redemption story continues. He was a former lottery pick of the Houston Rockets. They gave up on him while he was still on his rookie contract. He was released, and landed with Portland last year. Played well for them and helped them get to the WCF. This year be signed a 1 year deal with the Nets, and he's averaging damn near 20/10. Good for you Brad.
- Former St John's product Rysheed Jordan played in some big games in Madison Square Garden during his collegiate days. And now he's back in MSG as a member of the Knicks. Rysheed had spent the last 3 year's with New York's Dleague affiliate. But now he's officially a member of the main roster. He looked pretty solid in the preseason averaging 7 PPG and 50 % Three Point Shooting.
- Houston we got a problem. Ricky Davis is becoming a Mother Fning monster. 25.3 PPG. Ricky Buckets is finally living up to his name.
- The Denver Nuggets were the highest scoring team in the West (117.2). But we're dead last in the whole league in scoring defense (114.5). It's like Philadelphia but in reverse.
- Son surpassing father? Kevin Garnett Jr averaged 14.0 PPG in the preseason. SR averaged only 8.8 PPG.
- Shawn Marion led the entire ITP in preseason scoring (33.6). If Kareem could do a little better than 35.5 FG %, the Jazz might be the team to beat in the West (despite their 6-8 preseason record).
- #1 overall pick Shaquille O'Neal averaged 12.5 PPG during the preseason.
- But #15 overall pick Matt Geiger averaged 18.3.
- Spurs hired a new General Manager today. Welcome PimTig to the league.
- Sonics still have the same General Manager, broadwaytra3 , and he means business. His Sonics won 13 of their 15 preseason games. They had 4 different players average at least 18 PPG (Andre Miller, Damon Stoudamire, Giannis Antetekounmpo, and David West).
- The Golden State Warriors didn't have as much of a diverse attack as Seattle. They just gave the ball to Allen Iverson and he went crazy. He put up 31.9 PPG/10.4 APG for the 11-3 Warriors.
- Tyus Jones put up big numbers of his own with 25.6 PPG during the preseason. He averaged 6.9 PPG in the first 7 years of his career. Fluke or Breakout?
- Mike Conley is the point guard of the future for the LA Lakers. But Theo Maledon is teaching the young buck how it's done: 29.7 PPG 6 RPG 9.2 APG 51.6 FG 93.0 FT 49.3 3PT.
- The Clippers traded Randle and Edwards, now they look kinda small with Money, Jason Williams, and Dwade all starting out there together. The result was the Clippers having a -3.5 RPG differential.
- Sacramento is placing Karlton Hines on the trade block? I know one place where he'd be welcomed.
- Baron Davis/Lamar Odom didn't play much in the preseason. This is gonna be a very important Year 3 for both years.
