Knicks; beasts of the East

 New York Knicks, The NBA Vine Report  No Responses »
Dec 082012
 

NYMAG.com

At 14-4, the New York Knicks have not only established themselves as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference but as a legitimate threat to dethrone the Miami Heat in the East.

Before the Knicks start thinking about the playoffs, and making that previous statement come true they have a lot of work to do. Not only do they have their hands full with keeping up their current pace and incredibly high shooting percentages, but they will need a good hand of luck in limiting their injuries.

Already this season, the Knicks are without two of their proposed starters in Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert. Even the loss of these two players hasn’t slowed the Knicks, so their additions in the coming months should only strengthen their chances to succeed past the first round of the playoffs.

However, those are not the injuries the Knicks should worry about, losing Jason Kidd for a few games proved to be bad for this team. They did go 3-1 during his absence, but that one loss was to the Brooklyn Nets, and had they had Kidd’s services that night, would have most likely produced a different outcome.

Kidd is the difference maker on this Knicks squad, his defensive prowess and his veteran leadership to his on-court presence and uncanny ability to knock down the spot up three from the elbow has been what the Knicks have relied on for their most successful start in over a decade.

Can Kidd play 70-80 games this season at 25-30 mpg? That is a big question, and more important than that will be if he actually does succeed in playing big minutes in the regular season. If he is able to, will he be at full-strength come playoff time? It is a lot to ask out of Kidd.

The Knicks can lose Camby for a few games, same with Kurt Thomas and Rasheed Wallace–especially when Amare returns. However, the Knicks do not have a replacement for Kidd, he is one of a kind.

Rajon Rondo Must Become Boston Celtics’ Leading Scorer for Team to Contend

 Boston  No Responses »
Dec 062012
 

Rajon Rondo is the leader of the Boston Celtics. Like it or not, the fiery point guard is not only the floor general, but also the glue that holds the team together. That being said, Rondo must become the Celtics’ leading scorer for the team to contend.

Yes, the man who only averaged 11.9 points last season needs to be the top scorer on a team with the scoring machine known as Paul Pierce.

We all know that Rondo does a fantastic job with running the show. He is one of the best point guards in the NBA, specializing in assists. In fact, he recently ended a 37-game double-digit assists per game streak, tying with John Stockton for second in NBA history. Rondo’s assists steadily increase every season, and he’s already averaging 12.8 this year. 

His scoring, on the other hand, has been shaky over the years. It wouldn’t be a surprise if, “If only Rondo could shoot,” is one of the most popular phrases among NBA fans.

However, Rondo can shoot. His efficiency from the field has improved since last season, but he’s been using it to build his assists, not his points.

Let me explain. According to HoopData.com, Rondo is shooting 37.5 percent from 10-15 feet, and 49 percent from 16-23 feet so far this season. Although 15 games is a small sample size, his numbers have already jumped significantly since last year.

Rondo’s ability to hit a mid-range jumper has changed the way the Celtics’ offense works. When Boston runs a pick-and-roll, teams have almost always gone under the screen, which makes Rondo’s first option a jump shot. However, due to Rondo’s ability to shoot the ball, teams are not sagging off of him like they used to. He already has excellent court vision, but this gives him better looks to find an open teammate. That’s why his assists are so high.

In other words, Rondo can shoot and opposing teams are aware of this.

If the Celtics want to be a top contender, their starting point guard has to start shooting the ball more. He is 84-of-165 from the field and shooting 51 percent this season. That’s higher than his career average of 48 percent from the field. He’s currently attempting 11 shots per game, but that number has to increase. 

Of course, a good portion of Rondo’s scoring comes from layups as well. He makes 64.1 percent of his shots from the rim, like this one:

Rondo has led the Celtics in scoring twice this season, and although both efforts resulted in losses, he needs to build on making it a habit. There is no doubt that Rondo’s crafty assists are getting his older teammates easier shots. However, if he can find an even balance between points and assists, the team will be better all around.

Pierce currently leads the team in scoring with 19.1 points per game, followed by Kevin Garnett with 15.7 points. Rondo sits in third with 13.2 points per game. It’s not an unattainable goal for Rondo to become the C’s leading scorer, especially as the secondary unit continues to improve. Right now, Pierce and Garnett are playing so many minutes because Doc Rivers can’t afford to rest them as much as he would like to. If their minutes eventually drop, so will their points. On the other hand, Rondo’s playing time isn’t decreasing any time soon.

It’s not necessary for the point guard to lead the team in scoring. Deron Williams is second on the Brooklyn Nets with 16.4 points, while Chris Paul is third on the Clippers with 16.1 points. However, the Celtics are different. If Rondo can alleviate some of the pressure off his older costars by scoring more points, he should do so.

Ultimately, the Celtics will only go as far as their star point guard takes them.

 

All stats used in this article are accurate as of Dec. 6, 2012.

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Thunder vs. Nets: Why Brooklyn’s Tight Loss Proves They’re Legit Contenders

 Brooklyn  No Responses »
Dec 052012
 

The Brooklyn Nets (11-6) may have lost at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder (15-4) on Tuesday night, but that win proved to be something positive for the new-look Nets.

Brooklyn fell 117-111 to the powerhouse Thunder at the Barclays Center, but the Nets played extremely well in the second half.

After trailing 61-48 at halftime, the Nets mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 38-29 to cut OKC’s lead to four points entering the fourth quarter.

And they did it all without starting center and leading-scorer Brook Lopez.

Lopez missed his third straight game with a sprained right foot (h/t NJ.com), meaning that Brooklyn was at a clear disadvantage without its top scorer and leading shot-blocker.

Still, the Nets managed to prove their worth as a legitimate NBA title contender by hanging tough with Oklahoma City as Deron Williams netted 33 points and dished out seven assists.

Andray Blatche—who usually comes off the bench to spell Lopez—scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a starting effort, as Brooklyn’s bench wasn’t as deep as usual with Lopez and Reggie Evans missing from the lineup.

Evans, who’s Brooklyn’s leading rebounder, missed Tuesday night’s game with the flu, according to ESPN.

If you factor in the fact that the Nets were without their leading scorer and their leading rebounder, you could make the argument that they would have beaten the Thunder.

Still, even in the loss, it’s clear to see that the Nets are ready to contend in the East this season.

Brooklyn sports four players scoring in double figures (Williams, Lopez, Blatche and Joe Johnson) and plays excellent defense, as it ranks No. 2 in points allowed, surrendering just over 91 PPG.

Having already beat the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics twice, the Nets are beating contending teams and will only get more dangerous as they spend more time on the court together.

 

Follow me on Twitter: Follow @Pete_Schauer

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Thunder firepower too much for Nets (Reuters)

 Oklahoma City  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

(Reuters) – The Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to their sixth straight win on Tuesday after an incredible night of shooting earned them a 117-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The red-hot Thunder made a season-high 60 percent of field goals, Kevin Durant leading the way with 32 points while Russell Westbrook added 25 and nine assists. Oklahoma City (15-4), the defending Western Conference champions, made 30 of 34 free throws and 7 of 14 three-pointers. …

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NBA-Thunder firepower too much for Nets (Reuters)

 Oklahoma City  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

Dec 4 (Reuters) – The Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to their sixth straight win on Tuesday after an incredible night of shooting earned them a 117-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The red-hot Thunder made a season-high 60 percent of field goals, Kevin Durant leading the way with 32 points while Russell Westbrook added 25 and nine assists. Oklahoma City (15-4), the defending Western Conference champions, made 30 of 34 free throws and 7 of 14 three-pointers. …

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Why NY Knicks Must Now Acknowledge the Brooklyn Nets as Rivals

 Brooklyn  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

The New York Knicks are no longer the only NBA team in the Big Apple, as the Brooklyn Nets have come to town to play in the brand new Barclays Center.

The Nets have not just come to occupy space, however. They have come to compete, and they may have just established themselves as equals with the Knicks.

Brooklyn general manager Billy King made a flurry of transactions this offseason to shore up the bench and the starting lineup.

He brought in shooting guard Joe Johnson to play opposite point guard Deron Williams, while also adding bench depth in C.J. Watson, Andray Blatche, Jerry Stackhouse and Reggie Evans.

This was done in order to keep with owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s five-year plan, a goal that has just three years remaining.

The two teams were originally scheduled to play in their season opener, but Hurricane Sandy put a damper on those plans.

Instead, the Knicks and Nets met on November 26 at the Barclays‘ Center.

Boy, was it a statement game for the New York newcomers.

The Nets were able to take down the Knicks 96-89 in overtime, marking the first of many games between the now-crosstown rivals.

It was a back-and-forth contest requiring extra time to decide a winner, but the Nets and their new additions were able to hold off the Knicks—a team who was off to a fantastic 9-3 start.

It may have been just one game, but it signals the beginnings of an enhanced rivalry. The Knicks would be wise to acknowledge this.

The Nets are no longer one of the jokes of the Eastern Conference. The team can play—check out a review of the game—and they propose a legitimate threat to the Knicks in both the Atlantic Division and potentially in the postseason.

After play on December 3, the Nets (11-5) stand just one game back of the Knicks (12-4) in the Atlantic Division. Both teams, however, trail the Miami Heat (12-3) in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Knicks and Nets have been strangers to the top of the Eastern Conference for the past several seasons, and it seems as if they’re both getting back on track at the same time.

This should add even more fuel to the rivalry.

While the Knicks have owned the New York NBA spotlight since the team’s inaugural season in 1946, the Nets are looking to steal the show.

Both teams will be going at it all season long for the higher seed, making the rivalry one to pay attention to even if you are a casual New York sports fan.

The Nets are arguably the most improved team in the NBA this season, and their resurgence has caught the attention of fans in the city. Once disgraced New Jersey Nets fans can now jump on the Brooklyn bandwagon.

This increased fanbase will prevent any crowd in Madison Square Garden from being a sea of blue and orange when the two teams play. Black and white will be sprinkled throughout in attempts to drown out the cheers of their crosstown neighbors.

Situations like these will make the rivalry thrive for the remainder of this season, the postseason and the better part of the next several seasons.

Both New York franchises seem as if they’ve hit their stride at the right times, which should lead to an exciting few years of basketball in the Big Apple. 

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Are Deron Williams’ Shooting Woes a Temporary Slump or Permanent Pattern?

 Brooklyn  No Responses »
Dec 032012
 

Deron Williams has been shanking frequently. It’s been that way for a little while, with Deron going from a .439 field-goal mark in 2010-2011, to a .407 mark in 2011-2012, to where we’re currently at with his .382 field-goal percentage in 2012-2013. Howard Beck of the New York Times listed some functional reasons that may account for Deron’s shooting woes: 

“The source of Williams’s struggles is somewhat elusive, but injuries — including a banged-up right (shooting) wrist and sore right elbow — have surely played a role. He also has a left-ankle injury that will probably require surgery next summer. Williams said it is not the bumps and bruises, but his general comfort level, that is to blame.”

 

These injuries could certainly influence why Deron Williams isn’t the .507 shooter he was back in 2007-2008. I would like to posit another reason for his decease in efficiency, though. Take a look at Deron’s current shot distribution chart for the 2012-2013 season, and pay special attention to his shots near the rim.  

So we can avoid the “small sample size” tag, here are Williams’ shots in 2011-2012. Note that under 30% of his tries came at the rim last season. 

Finally, take a look at Deron’s best shooting season, 2007-2008 in Utah. Back then, he was attempting 43.3% of his shots right at the rim, more than 18% above the clip he’s currently logging.  

You may also notice that in 2007-2008, three-point attempts only added up to 18.2% of Williams’ total shot amount. In 2012-2013, a whopping 38.7% of Deron’s shots are coming from distance. Considering that Deron Williams hit .395 of his three point tries in 2007-2008 (he’s now hitting .268 from deep), less could be more for Williams. 

Deron Williams has roughly maintained the same level of accuracy on long two-point tries, though. In 2007-2008, Williams was 46 percent on long twos, which is only three percent better than his current mark from that range (via HoopData).  Williams’ free-throw percentage has also held steady over the last two years. Subjectively, it doesn’t look like he’s shooting any differently than he used to.

The problem, as I see it, is that so many of his attempts happen far from the rim. It could be a matter of diminishing athleticism, but I would hazard that offensive scheme has its impact. In the flex-cut Jerry Sloan system, Deron Williams received screens below the three point line, as part of a constantly moving offense. This allowed for many driving lanes to the rim, many shots at the basket.

With the Nets, Deron Williams more often finds himself in isolation, dribbling above the arc. Sometimes, shooting well has little to do with your shooting form. This could be one of those instances.   

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