(11-15-2023, 04:06 PM)MFFL Wrote: [ -> ]I guess you need to make your definitions better because I don't understand. Grant guarded big guys all the time in Boston. Who is OMax guarding that Grant can't?
Define these offensive and defensive roles please.
O Max is in theory slated to guard more perimeter oriented players (ie switch to guards) while Stewart is regarded as more of a big defender as you point out. Lebron putting Stewart in space is perceived as a disadvantage for Stewart, while LeBron attempting to post up Stewart is actually taken as advantage Stewart. At the moment, O -Max is viewed as being better guarding the perimeter than he would be in the post. The vast majority of that perception is (supposedly) based on foot speed and lateral quickness.
So positionally:
Stewart is viewed as a PF - C style big
O-Max is viewed as a SF/PF wing
(11-16-2023, 09:21 AM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: [ -> ]O Max is in theory slated to guard more perimeter oriented players (ie switch to guards) while Stewart is regarded as more of a big defender as you point out. Lebron putting Stewart in space is perceived as a disadvantage for Stewart, while LeBron attempting to post up Stewart is actually taken as advantage Stewart. At the moment, O -Max is viewed as being better guarding the perimeter than he would be in the post. The vast majority of that perception is (supposedly) based on foot speed and lateral quickness.
So positionally:
Stewart is viewed as a PF - C style big
O-Max is viewed as a SF/PF wing
Interestingly enough we just played OMax extended minutes at center last night.
That is interesting, I would base positions based on defense rather than offense, but that is a personal preference (not sure many agree with defensive positioning rather than offense)
Did not get to see the last 2 games, so I am interested to see if this use of O-Max is matchup based or if it is an indictment of his offensive limitations with the ball in his hands.
(11-16-2023, 11:26 AM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: [ -> ]That is interesting, I would base positions based on defense rather than offense, but that is a personal preference (not sure many agree with defensive positioning rather than offense)
Did not get to see the last 2 games, so I am interested to see if this use of O-Max is matchup based or if it is an indictment of his offensive limitations with the ball in his hands.
Felt slightly matchup based last night but definitely makes you think maybe they see him slowly moving into Maxi's tweener role with an emphasis on the wing minutes instead of the big minutes but a tweener none the less. Wizards were playing Gallo at the 5 which made the matchup work but he was definitely playing the 5 on both ends of the floor.
Bucks play tonight at Charlotte. So we get them on a back to back. The following night we play the Kings when we are on a second leg of a back to back. Kings play the Spurs tonight.
(11-17-2023, 09:27 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Bucks play tonight at Charlotte. So we get them on a back to back. The following night we play the Kings when we are on a second leg of a back to back. Kings play the Spurs tonight.
I was hoping we would get the Kings without Fox but he's back and things are starting to click for them again.
That 2nd night is probably going to be the toughest game of the season so far.
The Thunder beat up a wounded Warriors team last night. Not only do they have a ton of picks and most work out, but they find Isaiah Joe off the waiver wire and he goes 7 for 7 from three last night. Jeez.
The Warriors are now under .500 after a good start to the year. There are legit questions if they have enough for the long regular season. One thing is for sure certain, they need better play from Wiggins. Only 10 points a game last night. During their championship run, he was such a factor. Can he get back to that level? Klay Thompson only averaging 14 points a game and well under his career 3 point percentage to start the year.
(11-15-2023, 09:51 AM)meistermatze Wrote: [ -> ]Not referring to someone specifically, but even in this thread and, obviously, on this board as a whole and in the NBA community in general, people keep repeating how good Zion is. He is the most overrated player in years. He is not even the best player on his team, Ingram is. And it is not even close. Zion is a fat dunker, immature and unprofessional. He gets hyped for his highlight reels but even if he could stay healthy, which he can't because unprofessional, I don't see anything special in his game. The Shaq-comparisons are also a joke, he is way undersized and can't really bully any legit big. Sorry, I just don't see it.
I'm a Pelicans fan as well so I feel qualified to respond to this one. Zion has not looked so great this season. He's overweight and the athleticism isn't what it was a year ago. Part of the problem though is that he's not being used appropriately in their offense. Much of the time, they're giving him the ball on post-ups and that's not going well. He is best when given the ball at the top of the key and he can then take it to the rim and finish or dish to open 3-point shooters if needed. That's what they did with him in his second year and early last season before he was injured. That worked extremely well.
His efficiency driving and finishing at the rim was historically great. His ability to make the appropriate pass when needed was surprisingly good. His explosive athleticism at this size was extraordinary. There has never been an NBA athlete that strong with that much quick-twitch athleticism. Those were the reasons the Pelicans had the best record in the West last season before Zion's injury. Not seeing anything special in that means you didn't watch those games. It doesn't even seem like you watched the highlights.
Ingram is a vastly inferior player to Zion. He is lazy on defense and overrated on offense. He specializes in dribbling around then shooting contested 18-footers. He does not like to work and try to get to the rim. He doesn't like to draw contact. Ingram is terribly overrated and a much inferior player to healthy Zion. The fact that Ingram has more FG attempts per game is evidence that Willie Green is not a very good coach. He's a great guy but not a good coach.
In summary, Zion is overweight and it's greatly affecting his athleticism. He's also being horribly misused at the moment. It's sad that he refuses to take care of his body. It's also sad the Pelicans couldn't hire a more qualified coach to maximize his ability. It's honestly somewhat similar to the Mavs hiring J Kidd to coach Luke the phenom. A healthy, fit Zion on a well-coached team is an MVP candidate. Unfortunately, we may never see that player again.
(11-17-2023, 10:29 AM)surfpuckmd Wrote: [ -> ]In summary, Zion is overweight and it's greatly affecting his athleticism. He's also being horribly misused at the moment.
I was shocked at how little impact he had in the two Mavs/Pels games. I just figured that maybe his injuries have made it where they can't really feature him at the moment.
Now I finally understand why they are called Wizards. They just made Evan Fournier appear on an NBA floor.
If the Pelicans play on their IST court in the play-offs they might win the championship.
Mavs with second best record in league.
HOU is legit. I was a non-believer. Udoka has them playing so incredibly well.
Also my sincere apologies to those who have been clamoring for Tari Eason and me dismissing them. Dude would fit in so well here.
Also want to add Dillon Brooks reminds me SO much of Wes Matthews with a worse shot. He would've driven me insane if the Mavs signed him. The hustle is there, but he's so exceedingly mid.
(11-17-2023, 12:19 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]I was shocked at how little impact he had in the two Mavs/Pels games. I just figured that maybe his injuries have made it where they can't really feature him at the moment.
He looked pretty good in defeating the Champs last night.
(11-18-2023, 12:48 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Also want to add Dillon Brooks reminds me SO much of Wes Matthews with a worse shot. He would've driven me insane if the Mavs signed him. The hustle is there, but he's so exceedingly mid.
Nah. Brooks is a much better player than Achilles Robin Hood. I´d say not even on his best day he could do what Brooks did at the FIBA Worlds this summer.