SB Nation User Blog: NittanyCub

'Hidden Gems.'That's the caption ESPN put under Marvin Williams, Polish Power, and... ..... Drew...

NittanyCub — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:29:59 -0000

'Hidden Gems.'That's the caption ESPN put under Marvin Williams, Polish Power, and...

.....

Drew Gooden.

How good was Lebron James this year?

NittanyCub — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:21:21 -0000

I've actually watched a couple of Cavs games this year. Not because I'm a fan of the Cavaliers, but moreso a fan of Lebron James. Seeing that tonight was his last game, I thought it'd be interesting to see a couple of his stats from the regular season, as well as the playoffs; and, well, what this all means to me.

A look at everyone's favorite statistic, +/-, from this year, from here

1. James (103, 45 per48)

2. Bryant

3. Gasol

4. Williams

5. Fisher

A pretty crappy stat to measure individual player value, even when extended into the whole season, believe it or not. Mo Williams and Derek Fisher topping the league in anything, except for most mediocre player, kind of proves that. As a corollary to this stat, lets look at a more critical stat, Roland Rating:

1. James (23.5)

2. Wade(17.9)

3. Paul(17.7)

4. Bryant (12.6)

5. Roy (12.5)

Well then, how many points did they make on the charity line?

1. James (594)

2. Wade (590)

3. Bosh (504)

4. Howard (504)

5. Harris (496)

Pretty good company in that one. Well then, how do they, more specifically James, all compare in the paint? Here are the Inside shot FG% from this season

1. Iguodala (.721)

2. James (.717)

3. Collison (.713)

4. Dampier (.699)

5. O'Neal (.683)

Well, he must be a lollygagger on defense then, right? He was 14th in the league for defensive rebounds, at 507. Also, he was 2nd in defensive win shares at 6.3, only behind Howard at 7.6. at a 99 Drtg. He must be a ballhog then, right? Well, kind of, with his USG% at 33.8, but he also is 9th in the league in AST% at 38.0. How is he in offense, then? Offensive rating this year:

1. Gasol (125.6)

2. Paul (124.4)

3. Calderon(123.0)

...

6. James (121.7)

Offensive win shares:

1. James (13.3)

2. Paul (12.8)

3. Roy(10.2)

4. Wade (10.2)

5. Gasol (10.1)

And my favorite stat, PER:

1. James (31.7[!!!])

2. Wade (30.4)

3. Paul (30.0)

4. Howard (25.4)

5. Duncan (that's a little surprising, I thought he'd be a lot lower) (24.4)

One stat most telling of Lebron James limit as a player is his 2pt FG%, which is at an abysmal 37.5%. Not to mention that he already has one of the historically highest PER without a good 2PFG%, but if he ever figures out how to shoot a mid-range jumper, it will be bad news for his opponents.

So, what does this all mean? Nothing really as a Bulls fan, unfortunately. The likelihood of this Chicago team getting James is slim to none since they already have someone just as good(cheap shot, I know), but more of a basketball fan standpoint: Lebron James is really, really, good at basketball, and will most likely continue to get better.

edit: I forgot his PER from these playoffs. Barring tonight's game, it's at 38.9. Blasphemy, you say? Nope, it's honestly a 38.9. I've done a quick search, and I can't find one player who has remotely touched this type of efficiency in the playoffs. Not Bird, Magic, Kareem, Jordan, Bryant, or O'Neal come even close to this. Ridiculous.

Gar Foreman now officially the GM

NittanyCub — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:23:28 -0000

Gar Foreman now officially the GM

Paxson now Executive VP of basketball operations... whatever the hell that is.

Derrick Rose said he was headed back to the gym Sunday. 'My shot isn’t going to get better without ...

NittanyCub — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:04:04 -0000

Derrick Rose said he was headed back to the gym Sunday.

'My shot isn’t going to get better without me working on it,' Rose said.

: D

I was actually too young to fully appreciate Jordan's Bulls and it's rarity; or basketball as a...

NittanyCub — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:05:46 -0000

I was actually too young to fully appreciate Jordan's Bulls and it's rarity; or basketball as a whole, for that matter. But this series, at least for me, was the most exciting and entertaining I've ever seen as a Bulls fan-- even more than their series against the Heat.

So, this is to the Chicago Bulls and the great series they had. Even them losing the series, playing against Boston, and dealing with Celtics fans wasn't enough to taint my appreciation of this team during the playoffs, and almost reminding myself why I love this team so much.

BEACHED WHALE SIGHTING! MAN THE HARPOONS!

NittanyCub — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:59:14 -0000

BEACHED WHALE SIGHTING! MAN THE HARPOONS!

(translation) WHATEVAH CHICAWGO FANS, NO MATTER HOW IT TURNS OUT, YOU WILL NAWT BE THE MAIN STARRY!...

NittanyCub — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:36:29 -0000

(translation) WHATEVAH CHICAWGO FANS, NO MATTER HOW IT TURNS OUT, YOU WILL NAWT BE THE MAIN STARRY! NO ONE CAY-UHS ABOUT SOME DUMBASS MIDWEST CITY!! YOU AHH JUSS IMPAWSTAHS!! FACK THE BULLS, ITS CELTIC NAYSHUNNNN!!! (flexes neck muscles) PPAAAAPPAAHHLLLBAAAAAAHHHHHNNNN

I joke because I care

This series is tighter than spandex on Glen "Big Baby" Davis

NittanyCub — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:45:57 -0000

This series is tighter than spandex on Glen "Big Baby" Davis

Oh, Wojciechowski. You slay me

There may be yet another act in the Kevin Garnett saga... Then, at 3:14 yesterday afternoon, the...

NittanyCub — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:04:31 -0000

There may be yet another act in the Kevin Garnett saga...

Then, at 3:14 yesterday afternoon, the story took another twist when Garnett appeared on the team’s practice floor wearing full workout gear. He proceeded to dribble a basketball as he walked slowly around the perimeter of the court, with strength coach Bryan Doo watching intently. Trainer Ed Lacerte came out of his office and sat at the far end of the floor to watch the event...

After four minutes, Garnett, Doo and Lacerte walked through a door that leads to the weight room at the team’s facility....

From here

I'm glad Sefolosha's gone, but I still root for him since he was on the Bulls once. Also, I've...

NittanyCub — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:42:36 -0000

I'm glad Sefolosha's gone, but I still root for him since he was on the Bulls once. Also, I've always hated Kobe Bryant, so this is a win-win for me.