SB Nation User Blog: Salem Stephen

Why trading Rudy and Outlaw for Prince Makes Sense

Salem Stephen — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:46:54 -0000

This was originally a response to a fan post which responded to Dave's podcast. A few posters said I should resubmit this as its own fan post, so... Here it is.

A Piston’s fan on another site wanted to know if Portland fans would welcome a trade of Rudy and Outlaw for Prince, Amir Johnson and #15. The trade doesn’t work financially, but the analysis focused only on the impact of Prince, Rudy and Outlaw which does work. Here was my response:

You have to make that trade if you are Portland. It perfectly balances out the roster maximizes the team’s potential.

The initial reaction that many people have is that Portland needs Rudy and Outlaw’s offense in order to be successful. I respectfully disagree. First take a look at the offensive production of Outlaw and Prince (who would take all of his minutes and then some):
Outlaw 27.7min; .453 FG%; .377 3P%; .723 FT%; 4.1 RPG; 1.0 APG; .6 SPG; .7 BPG; 12.8 PPG
Prince 37.7min; .450 FG%; .397 3P%; .778 FT%; 5.8 RPG; 3.1 APG; .5 SPG; .6 BPG; 14.2 PPG

Looking at the players, Prince puts up comparable offensive numbers, but is a bit more efficient in 3P% and FT%. In addition to effectively replacing all of Outlaw’s offensive production, Prince’s defense in place of Outlaw’s would shave a couple PPG off the opposition’s average.

I don’t think that anyone argued that Prince couldn’t replace Outlaw, but it is nice to be thorough. Now on to the part that makes everyone hesitant about making the trade… replacing Rudy Fernandez:

Fernandez: 25.6min; .425 FG%; .399 3P%; .839 FT%; 2.7 RPG; 2.0 APG; .9 SPG; 10.4 PPG

Those are difficult numbers to replace. A very efficient volume 3P shooter who scores 10ppg off of the bench on a team with a slow offense. The benefit of trading both Outlaw and Rudy for Tayshaun Prince is that the trade opens up minutes for other players on a very crowded roster. After the trade, the lion’s share of minutes will go to Martell Webster (who would not be able to play in the rotation next season with Outlaw and Rudy commanding a minimum of 55 minutes together. Compare Webster’s stats (from before his injury to Rudy’s):

Webster: 28.4min; .422 FG%; .388 3P%; .735 FT%; 3.9 RPG; 1.2 APG; .6 SPG; 10.7 PPG
Fernandez: 25.6min; .425 FG%; .399 3P%; .839 FT%; 2.7 RPG; 2.0 APG; .9 SPG; 10.4 PPG

A healthy Martell Webster put up comparable numbers to Rudy Fernandez this season. He is less efficient in 3P% and FT%, but the improvement in defense/rebounding that Webster offers would give Portland comparable production for those minutes. Admittedly, Rudy Fernandez has a higher upside than Webster, I’ll attempt to show how the change in the roster will continue to improve the team through other (post trade) adjustments that the team would likely make after taking into account the overall change in style of play based on the roster changes.

Overall changes in style with new roster:
1. The team relies more on the starting unit than the second unit. Last season, Portland was second in bench scoring and relied heavily on its scorers off of the bench. By adding a legit third option in the starting unit (Prince) Portland will play with their starting unit more than they have in the past.

2. The Blazers become a much better defensive team. Prince immediately becomes the team’s best perimeter defender, replacing Outlaw who was the team’s worst perimeter defender. Martell Webster, the team’s best perimeter defender from two seasons ago retakes his minutes which went to Rudy last season (Portland’s second wing defender.) Portland goes from having one good perimeter defender last season (Batum) to having three good perimeter defenders (Prince, Batum, Webster)

3. Portland’s bench goes from offensive minded to defensive minded. With Prince taking over for Outlaw, he would likely fill Outlaw’s role as the backup PF in a small lineup (if another PF isn’t acquired in the offseason.) That mean’s that the second unit will usually have four above average defenders: Webster (SG) Batum (SF) Prince (PF) and Oden/Przybilla (C). The other obvious difference between the benches is the lack of scoring on the new Blazers bench. Batum and Webster are both good open shooters but don’t often create for themselves. Both Oden and Przybilla are good at put back dunks, but don’t have strong offensive games. If only Portland had a, PG with a scorer’s mentality who could compliment a defensive lineup… oh yeah, his name is Jerryd Bayless.

When Portland had two volume shooters coming off of the bench (Outlaw and Fernandez) it made much more sense to have a distributor at the PG position (Rodriguez) which forced the talented Bayless to the bench. If, however, the second unit is predicated on defense, then it would make sense to put a scorer at PG.

Replacing Sergio with Bayless would improve both the scoring from the PG position (to additionally help offset the loss of Fernandez) and would improve the defense. Bayless’ tiny arms prevent him from being a lock down defender, but he was out best defensive PG last season and would replace our worst (Sergio.)

Replacing Sergio with Bayless would likely bring out the argument that Bayless lacks the PG skills to run the offense. If you believe that, then it is very nice that Tayshaun Prince is a point-forward who ran the offense in Detroit with both AI and Rip next to him. If Bayless isn’t successful attacking the opposition, Tayshaun Prince can run the half court offense. Additionally, since the trade creates a roster that is more predicated on the starting unit, there would likely be no distinct “second unit.” Instead, subs would compliment the roster while maintaining the style of play which means Bayless would likely be on the floor with either Roy or Price who are both capable of running the offense.

After the trade, Portland becomes a much better defensive team, while maintaining most of the offensive efficiency that they had last season by playing Webster and Bayless.

PG: Blake/Bayless
SG: Roy/Webster
SF: Prince/Batum
PF: Aldridge/Prince
C: Oden/Przybilla/

With that lineup, Portland would have the following assets to either (1) Upgrade their starting PG; or (2) acquire a bruiser backup PF: 24th pic; 33rd pic, 38th pick; two late 2nd rounders, Channing Frye S&T; Raef LaFrentz S&T and Sergio Rodriguez.

While it would be complete conjecture to suggest additional trades that could be made, I would think that those desirable assets could lead to trades or draft selections that would fill one or both of those holes in the lineup.

Another benefit of the trade is that the minutes on the new roster allow almost everyone to be happy. Here would be the break down:

PG:
Blake (25) Bayless (13) Roy (10, 4th Quarter)
SG:
Roy (27) Webster (16) Bayless (5)
SF:
Prince (26) Batum (18) Webster (4)
PF:
Aldridge (37) Prince (11)
C:
Oden + Przybilla (48, distribution depends on Oden’s improvement/foul trouble)

Brainstorming: Focusing on Others

Salem Stephen — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:40:40 -0000

I am about five pages into an article about decision-making in the NBA. I was originally planning on finishing the piece and then posting it, but I realized that the beauty of the Blazers Edge community is that with the high caliber of individuals here, discussing the issue before I have finished the paper will make for a better end product.

The premise for the piece began with a debate over trading for Chris Bosh. My friend felt that Aldridge was a better fit for Portland and would grow to be a better player. I actually agree that Aldridge is the better fit (though I doubt he will be the better player.) Being the consummate devil's advocate, I said that even if Aldridge is the better fit (and becomes the better player) Portland should still trade for Bosh. In the end, I actually believed my argument.

I stated that if Portland didn't acquire Bosh, Miami or Chicago would be the front runners to acquire him. Even worse, if Bosh went to free agency, OKC or Cleveland could acquire him.

In the end, I argued that Portland should do its best to ensure that the players they trade away don't end up on teams that will look to compete in the foreseeable future while targeting the talent most likely to go to our greatest threats.

So even if the team is worse off in the long run, we have a better opportunity to win a championship by ensure that we don't have to face a team with LeBron/Bosh; D-Wade/Bosh; D-Rose/Bosh; or Durant/Bosh.

Based on this, I am on page five of a piece on league-wide analysis of decisions. It focuses on how teams should not only maximize our own teams ability, but stifle your strongest competition's best opportunities to improve (pointing out obvious moves.)

Thus far, to a certain extent, Wheels' "sign 'em so they can't play for someone else" has some merit to it.

So what do you think of the premise? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

BTW: I actually value harsh criticism... so if you think it is a terrible idea, don't hold back.

The Player Hater's Ball

Salem Stephen — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:31:39 -0000

All of the fanposts that are negative in nature are really starting to annoy some individuals on this website. While pessimism isn't always welcome, it can be necessary and there should be a place for it even on a website like Blazers Edge. I propose that we treat posts that are overly critical in nature much like other questionable material (like off topic material and trade posts)... we make a "drawer" about it.

Thus I give you the Player Haters Ball. A single fan post where everyone can vent about those players that really get under your skin. Hate Travis' BBIQ... post it here. Bayless lover? Hater? post it here.

Why clutter the entire website with hate when it can be consolidated into one fan post? Then anyone coming to the fanpost can't comlain about all of the hate because they know it is a forum dedicated to the venting of everyone's loathing for certain players on this team.

Enjoy. And give respect to Silky Johnson... the greatest player hater ever.

via smokingsection.uproxx.com

Drew Gooden?

Salem Stephen — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:08:22 -0000

UPDATE (8:16 P.M.): Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie has confirmed the buyout.

"It's something going forward that we think made sense for us given where we are, and it made sense for him," Petrie said this evening by cell phone. "It got done about 25 minutes ago."

***

Drew Gooden's Sacramento stay is over.

The forward acquired Feb. 18 in the six-player trade with Chicago has agreed to a buyout agreement with the Kings and has been waived, according to sources close to Gooden with knowledge of the situation. He has an expiring contract and is owed $7.1 million this season, but Gooden had an interest in joining a playoff team in the season's final months. To do so, he had to be waived before tonight's 9 p.m. Pacific deadline for postseason roster eligibility. The Kings, according to the sources, saved approximately $2 million in the deal.

Gooden - who had been exploring this option in recent days - will likely be on his way to a more competitive team. Cleveland could be a possibility, as could San Antonio.

While Gooden has missed his last two games with a groin injury that kept him out of action from Jan. 19 until his Kings debut on Saturday, he remains committed to playing "until the wheels fall off" this season, as he said recently. While Gooden wasn't fully healthy in his one game with the Kings against Charlotte, he had 12 points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes before leaving the floor hobbling in the fourth quarter. - Sam Amick

Sacramento Bee

Hideous facial hair aside, Drew Gooden would be an excellent use for our trade exception. He can play in the post and has a midrange shot. He is a physical player. He rebounds from the PF position. Despite being a bigger guy, he runs the floor quite well. His defense isn't great, but it is certainly better than Frye's, Outlaw's or Randolph's. He has playoff experience and is comfortable being a role player.

Poll

Would Drew Gooden be a good fit for the Blazers?

Heck Yeah! His name isn't Drew "Bad"en!

44 votes

No! Frye/Outlaw are a better fit at the PF position

44 votes

There is a perfect option... His name is Shavlik!

22 votes

He'd be a good fit, but save the exemption for the offseason.

57 votes

167 votes | Poll has closed

What is McMillan Thinking?

Salem Stephen — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:25:53 -0000

Even if the Blazers do come back to win the game, Nate McMillan's strategy against the Spurs (and other teams) is inexcusable. We are playing a Spurs team without Duncan and Ginobili. They plan is easy. Don't let Parker beat you. McMillan said the right things during his pre-game interview. The plan was to pressure Parker on defensively and force him to work on the other end. For the most part Blake and Sergio played sloppy defense. They either sagged off enough to give him an open shot or let him get by at will. In addition, Sergio continues to show zero effort in transition defense.

No one could predict that Steve Blake would be 0-8 from the field through 3 quarters. What people do know is that Blake and Rodriguez do not force PG's to work defensively, nor do they defend the PNR. Why on Earth did Jerryd Bayless not play 25 minutes tonight. He would have forced Parker to run in transition. His physical nature would have been draining on Parker and his perimeter defense is certainly better than either of the other two players.

Bottom line... If you make it your mission to stop one player. Don't let him score 35+ in a game. And if he does, at least put the player most capable of neutralizing him into the game rather than DNP-CD him.

View Always in Moderation

Salem Stephen — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:32:28 -0000

Irrational immediate reactions: We need to hire Herb Brooks as our coach. If an aging Ray Allen can consistently out hustle our young team, we should make them stay on the court after the game sprinting baseline to baseline until they are all vomiting. “While other teams can out muscle us, they should never out hustle us!”

More Moderate Reaction: We have all played a pickup game where the other team is torching us. We don’t need to be too hard on a team for losing heart during a 20-0 run… We do, however, need to emphasize aggression. Whether it is crashing the boards, getting back on defense, or cutting to the basket, we need to utilize our team’s athleticism.

Irrational immediate reaction: I would have paid $100 to Glen Davis if he had let his emotions get the best of him and sucker punched Kevin Garnett… maybe that will teach him to keep his arrogant mouth shut.

More Moderate Reaction: Jerryd Bayless gets to be in charge of the next practice The focus… “Everybody needs to perfect their Bayless Face.” Boston came into the game looking to intimidate Portland… and it worked. Even our beloved Brandon Roy (who is notoriously calm) let Paul Pierce get too him. The easiest way to get them to stop the taunting is for them to know it doesn’t phase you.

Irrational Immediate Reaction: For as much as we pay RLEC he needs to take one for the team and go Tonya Harding on Rajon Rondo’s knee caps during half time. My guess is that his ensuing ten game suspension won’t hurt the team.

More Moderate Reaction: The Blazers need to watch more film. If I recall, the only jump shot that Rajon Rondo even attempted was the long 3pt that he hit at the buzzer. All three of our PG’s were playing tight defense against Rondo 5’ outside the arc. He promptly torched all three of them all night long. Know how to defend your man… this means give Rondo a nice cushion, don’t leave Ray Allen alone as a help defender, etc.

I also think the Blazers need to work on their team defense. They have the ability to be a dominant defensive team, but they don’t understand how to properly approach team defense. When you have excellent post defenders (which we do) the focus should be to funnel the offensive players to the post defender. As a defender, your goal should be to funnel your man to the baseline where they are trapped between you and Oden or Przybilla.

If your goal is to shut down your man and you get beat, your post defender has to scramble over to the lane and using get a blocking foul. If you concede the baseline, your big man already is in position which usually means he gets a block or an offensive foul. San Antonio has been running their defense this way for a decade. It has worked well for them even with some very marginal perimeter defenders over the years (obviously not talking about Bowen)

Irrational Immediate Reaction: We had better beat Boston by 30 points when they come to Portland. Kevin Garnett will be sitting right next to Big Baby with a towel on his head and tears welling in his eyes.

More Moderate Reaction: If it ever becomes imperative that we able to beat Boston at home THIS SEASON, than 2008-09 will be more special than I had ever imagined.

Why Jerryd Bayless Should Start Immediately

Salem Stephen — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:23:58 -0000

Differences of opinion are most often a product of perceptions and preconceived notions, whether conscious or subconscious, which alter the way individuals interpret facts. Opinions of Jerryd Bayless are very diverse. In general, however, we develop these opinions from the same sources of information (summer league games, shot charts, interviews, youtube videos, scouting reports, etc.) which indicates that our conflicting views is not from a difference in evidence, but analysis. I hold the unpopular opinion that Jerryd Bayless should be our starting point guard as the season begins. Rather than rant and rave about his strengths, however, I would prefer to articulate the manner in which I evaluate his perceived shortcomings and team role. Maybe after sharing the process, some other Blazer fans will begin to believe, like I do, that Bayless would be an excellent fit as our starting point guard right away; or maybe some knowledgeable fans will illuminate some flaws in my evaluation process, which will cause me to change my opinion on this matter.

First, it is always important that analysis begins with an accepted or at least identified list of concerns or shortcomings that we can take into account as we evaluate a player’s potential. My analysis of Bayless would be skewed if I thought “Rex” is just a childhood nickname and not an allusion to his widely criticized short wingspan. The most in depth list of his criticisms that I could find is from his prospect page on DraftExpress. The concerns include:

• Stuck between 1 and 2

• Average wingspan

• Better scorer than playmaker

• Better playing off the ball

• Undersized for SG

• Dominant ball-handler

• Decision-making in half-court

• Struggles to create shots w/left hand

• Shot-selection

• Ability to fight through screens

• Ability to defend SGs

• Needs time to develop

• Team didn't win much

These concerns fall into three categories: Player specific (concerns about Bayless’ physical or mental limitations) Role Specific (an inability to fulfill a function that the team might commonly ask of him) and Superfluous concerns (those that may not even relate to Bayless but surround him… specifically that his “[t]eam did not win much”) Some of these concerns are both “player specific” and “role specific.” For example, “Ability to defend SGs” addresses both a physical shortcoming (his size) but that concern could be mitigated by the absence of a role concern (him being in a situation where he is never required to guard a SG.)

Since many of the concerns about Jerryd Bayless are role specific, it would be prudent to spell out the role of the player who will be joining Brandon Roy in the backcourt this coming season. I intentionally avoid using the term point guard (or even guard at all) when describing the position for the player joining Roy because the tradition labeling of positions connote many assumption about the roles for the player filling that position which may or may not be accurate depending upon the strengths and weaknesses of the players around him.

While it may be ideal to have each player on the floor excel at all of the traditional aspects of his particular position, it is not imperative. The game of basketball is a team sport. Rather than breaking the game down into five individual positions with separate roles for each, teams excel when they look at all the necessary attributes to play the game, and fill them based on the collective strengths of the five players on the floor. While a Center is traditionally a low-post scorer and a wing is traditionally a perimeter shooter, if your center is more comfortable on the perimeter and your “wing” is more efficient with his back to the basket, it would be imprudent for a coach to avoid playing to his players strengths because just because they do not fall within the traditional roles of the set positions. With this in mind, we should evaluate all of the roles that need to be filled on the basketball court from every position and see between our other four projected starters, and see what roles will the final starting position player need to fill.

In his book, “The Basketball Handbook: Winning essentials for players and coaches,” Lee H. Rose does an excellent job articulating the specific roles for each traditional position. Rose describes the characteristics of a traditional Point Guard as:

A coach on the floor like the great John Stockton.
Has peripheral awareness and makes good decisions with the ball.
Un selfish-thinks pass first, shot second.
Primarily a ball handler and distributor who knows who is hot.
The more speed and quickness he has, the better.
Should be able to separate and create space when dribbling.
Directs the offensive and defensive formations.
Pushes the ball for fast breaks and calls half-court plays.
Maintains constant communication with the coaches.
Vocal leader on the floor.
Discusses rule interpretations with the officials.
During dead-ball situations such as free throws and out-of-bounds situations, he passes on information to teammates concerning strategy and matchups.
Knows the time on both clocks, the score, the number of time-outs, and whom to foul.
Size is a plus but is secondary to knowledge and skill. (Rose, 14)

If the debate between Steve Blake and Jerryd Bayless is, “Who does a better job of fulfilling the roles on this list?” then hands down, Steve Blake would win. When focusing on team synergy, however, the argument can be made that other players on the floor (specifically Brandon Roy) fill many of the roles on this list better than either Blake or Bayless which would mean the final starting spot should not go to the player that better fills this traditional list, but better fills the holes in the traditional roles of our other four starters. Since it appears Brandon Roy fills most of the traditional point guard roles, the next step is to evaluate which tradition shooting guard roles Brandon Roy struggles with or does not perform as well as the traditional point guard roles. Once again Rose does an impeccable job of crystallizing the traditional roles of a shooting guard:

“Two Guard – A scoring touch.

Characteristics:

Position requires great skills and perimeter shooting.
Primary role is to score points; can sacrifice defense for offense at this position.
Typically they are big, from 6-3 to 6-7, and athletic, like Kobe Bryant, Allen Houston, Tracy McGrady, and Michael Finley.
Size is not an absolute restriction; smaller guards like Allen Iverson and David Wesley are exceptions who thrive as shooters.
Should be able to handle the ball, beat opponents off the dribble, penetrate, and finish at the basket.
Should have good catch-and-shoot skills coming off pin-downs and baseline screens.
The better ball handler, the more difficult he is to defend.
Good open court player because of ability to pull up for open shots.
Should be a good free-throw shooter because in late-game situations he is involved in handling the ball and taking last-second shots.
Needs to be a good one-on-one player to be highly effective.

In reviewing the roles of the shooting guard, Brandon Roy fills many of these roles as well. Unfortunately, he is only one man and despite Paul Allen’s wealth and copious amounts of research, science has yet to determine a away to clone Brandon Roy. The next best solution is to evaluate which player combination will collectively do the best job of filling all of these individual roles. This is very different than finding the next best player to put next to Roy. In fact, the analysis can lead to selecting the far inferior player, but it will always lead to the best possible team synergy. Here is a theoretical situation to show why the best player is not the best team synergy:

You may think I am crazy when I tell you that I would start Kwame Brown over John Stockton any day of the week, but in certain circumstances this statement is true. Imagine if you have six players to make a team. Five of them are carbon copies of John Stockton and your sixth player is Kwame Brown. Obviously you will have to start four John Stockton’s in you lineup leaving you with only one question, “Who is my fifth starter: John Stockton or Kwame Brown?” Obviously if you are looking at the players independent of the team, you would say John Stockton. In this case, however, Kwame Brown is the better choice. While Stockton offers excellent passing, court vision, stealing, etc. four other starters are just as talented in those areas. While Kwame Brown is below average as a center, he can fill the remaining roles much better than a fifth John Stockton. In this case, the team will play better starting one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory, over one of the 50 Best Players of All-Time.

It all comes down to the law of diminishing marginal utility. That’s right, a good old-fashioned position battle can be reduced to a seemingly mundane economics lesson. The “fifth Stockton’s” value is extremely diminished because the other four Stockton’s have the same strengths and weaknesses; thus, the fifth Stockton’s strengths are diminished and weaknesses are amplified making him less valuable than Kwame Brown.

The same rule should be applied when determining whom the other guard next to Brandon Roy should be. Without getting too detailed, Blake can fill most of the tradition point guard roles and some of the traditional shooting guard roles; Bayless can fill some of the traditional point guard roles and most of the traditional shooting guard roles; and finally, Brandon Roy can fulfill almost all of the traditional shooting guard and point guard roles.

Now… with the laws of diminishing marginal utility in mind, let’s try to determine which combo would make the best backcourt. Rate Roy, Blake and Bayless on their abilities to fill each role for the both guard positions as listed above. (Complete list of roles is also available at the end of the post) Combine the ratings of two players to fill all of the roles of one back-court (trying to make sure that the number of total roles is balanced between the two (even if Bayless or Blake rank lower than Roy, but if Roy has too many roles, give the other player a role that he is close to as good as Roy)) Which combo makes for the best backcourt? For me, a Roy/Bayless backcourt is far better because Bayless’ strengths filled Roy’s weaknesses.

Now that you have your most efficient backcourt, look at the roles that you have given to Bayless. Compare them to Bayless’ weaknesses listed above. Do any of the “Role Specific” weaknesses not apply because Roy fills those roles?

Point Guard Skills:

A coach on the floor like the great John Stockton. Roy:8 Blake:7 Bayless:4
Has peripheral awareness and makes good decisions with the ball. Roy:9 Bl:8 Ba:5
Un selfish-thinks pass first, shot second. Roy:8 Bl:9 Ba:-4
Primarily a ball handler and distributor who knows who is hot. Roy:8 Bl:8 Ba:5
The more speed and quickness he has, the better. Roy:8 Bl:5 Ba:9
Should be able to separate and create space when dribbling. Roy:9 Bl:5 Ba:8
Directs the offensive and defensive formations. Roy:9 Bl:8 Ba: 5
Pushes the ball for fast breaks and calls half-court plays. Roy:5 Bl:8 Ba:9
Maintains constant communication with the coaches. Roy:10 Bl:8 Ba:7
Vocal leader on the floor. Roy:10 Bl:7 Ba: (does the scowl count)
Discusses rule interpretations with the officials. Roy:8 Bl:6 Ba:4
During dead-ball situations such as free throws and out-of-bounds situations, he passes on information to teammates concerning strategy and matchups.Roy:9 Bl:7 Ba:5
Size is a plus but is secondary to knowledge and skill. Roy:9 Bl:7 Ba:6

Shooting Guard Skills:

Position requires great skills and perimeter shooting. Roy:8 Bl:6 Ba:8
Primary role is to score points; can sacrifice defense for offense at this position. Roy:8 Bl:4 Ba:9
Typically they are big, from 6-3 to 6-7, and athletic, like Kobe Bryant, Allen Houston, Tracy McGrady, and Michael Finley. Roy:8 Bl:4 Ba:6
Should be able to handle the ball, beat opponents off the dribble, penetrate, and finish at the basket. Roy:8 Bl:5 Ba:9
Should have good catch-and-shoot skills coming off pin-downs and baseline screens. Roy:7 Bl:5 Ba:8
The better ball handler, the more difficult he is to defend. Roy:8 Bl:6 Ba:8
Good open court player because of ability to pull up for open shots. Roy:7 Bl:6 Ba:8
Should be a good free-throw shooter because in late-game situations he is involved in handling the ball and taking last-second shots. Roy:8 Bl:7 Ba:9
Needs to be a good one-on-one player to be highly effective. Roy:8 Bl:4 Ba:9