Building Around Cooper: A Backward-Looking Thought Experiment

[Smitty]

PJ has been one of the worst pairs with Flagg by net rating on the team.  I realize he is having a down year, but he is shooting 30% from 3 this season and shot 32% from 3 in the finals year.  I'm not sure I would call PJ a plus three point shooter for his position.  The 4 man lineup of Gafford/PJ/Flagg/Max is a net -12 for the season.  

"He's been hurt the most by subpar PG play this season, being asked to do too much on the offensive end, especially early in the year. He's also been dealing with the ankle injury. In and out of the lineup all year. Here are his 3PT numbers over his career:

37.4% / 4.0  3PA
38.6% / 4.5  3PA
36.5% / 4.6  3PA
34.8% / 5.9  3PA
32.0% / 5.7  3PA
38.1% / 4.2  3PA
31.0% / 4.2  3PA

~35% has been the league average for Power Forwards over the years, with 3.1 attempts per game. PJ has been at or above that 5 out of 7 years in his career. And this season is incomplete."


I don't mean to keep beating this drum, but a lot of data this season, especially when it comes to PJW, is useless. If you feel confident using advanced lineup data in this lost season, to help make a case for next year and beyond, more power to you. I can't get there.