(07-22-2021, 12:12 PM)Mak Wrote: On that note, while defense is obviously very important, something easier to quantify quickly is just flat out above-average efficiency and production. The defense,lineups, gameplan, etc can all become easier and improved if there are at least players on the roster producing positively.
The Bucks had 5 players each logging over 1,000 minutes over the regular+post season with a Player Efficiency Rating above average:
-Giannis
-Holiday
-Middleton
-Portis
-Lopez
With the exception of Portis, the other 4 were also the main starters and leaders in minutes.
In Dallas we had 3 players meeting the same criteria:
-Luka
-Powell
-Brunson
And essentially only Luka was a main starter and leader in minutes.
That is a very old stat, and many improvements have been made in box score stats (BPM for example) and we now have access to advanced on/off stats (RPM for example) that do a much better job assessing defense (with a big enough sample).
Based on those stats, the teams are laid out as follows:
Bucks:
Elite Superstar: Giannis (higher than Luka in both ratings due to his defense)
#2/3 guy: Holiday, Middleton
Quality Starter: Lopez, Devincenzo
Quality Bench: Portis, Connaughton
Mavs:
Elite Superstar: Luka
#2/3 guy: KP (this seems like a stretch, but he was at the bottom of a #3 guy. Much more solidly here last year)
Quality Starter: DFS, THJ
Quality Bench: Brunson, Powell, Maxi
The most glaring thing missing in the Mavs roster here is a true #2. Using these same stats and looking at free agents that could fit that role:
Kawhi (superstar)
Conley (#2)
Lowry (#2/3 but declining)
Ball (#3)
Collins (#3)
That's it (notice DeRozan is missing from the list). The most impactful thing we can do this off season, is get one of these guys.