In particular, I really like the chart of player archetypes (assembled by first clustering players with similar scores for various stats, then naming the clusters): https://fansided.com/files/2020/03/05-Fit-Archetype-talent-grades.jpg (For the example players, a parenthesis 4x means that 4 of that player's seasons qualified for the archetype.)
Obviously some stats are unreliable and some unique players don't fit cleanly into any single archetype, but it's a useful basis for figuring out what kinds of archetypes you can look for to fill out a team.
Part of what I like about the analysis is it affirms some of the now-conventional wisdom: 3-point shooting synergizes with more of the same; playmaking and rolling are synergistic with each other but duplicates are redundant; you need at least one big defender in a lineup to have a good defense.
But enough thinking about next year's roster: let's see the Baby Dubs hit LAC with the trap game SMAAAAASH!
Do the right thing, Lacob. The Dubs only have 2 home games (ofc today, and Thursday), then all road games until the 25th. No spectators for 2 games wouldn't be terrible.
I do believe the LGW comments section just came of age on this post. It was so enjoyable to read the interchange between those with some old, recognizable handles.
The Warriors have signed guard Mychal Mulder to a multi-year contract. Mulder, 25, averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.5 minutes over six games (two starts) during his initial 10-day stint with Golden State. "
I have to register some disagreement with one part: "...given the general dearth of depth that Golden State is sure to be facing next year..."
Are we facing such a general dearth? Let's assume our players end up healthy, aside from Looney, who is a bigger unknown, IMO, than Klay.
But okay: we have our starters in Steph, Klay, Ender, Dray, and Chriss.
We have Eric Paschall. I don't need to say anything about him, but I think he may have as much impact as Wiggins. I think we managed to get a 6MOY at the 41st-pick. I think he could be an offensive closer to put in if we need an iso-scorer who can get to the line at will. I think I might be in love with him.
Off the bench, we have 2 combo guards who can shoot and make plays and show a willingness to play defense. I think they also have the physical tools to do a decent job:
Poole is 6'4" and 195 with a 6'7" wingspan, decent instincts if not great, and a hustle I like more and more. He's got the shooter's mindset but is surprisingly good at creating shots for others. Seems mature for his age, which is good, because that makes me think he will keep improving as he's barely 21.
Lee is 6'5" (or 6'6", depending on which site you believe) with a 6'6" wingspan. He's a solid rebounder for his size and position, is improving as a 2ndary playmaker, and he, too, has the intangibles and the pride that make me think he could be a plus-defender. At 27, he's more of a finished product, but I think he hasn't quite reached his full potential, either. More NBA minutes, especially with more effective players around him, and who knows?
That's 8 guys, not counting Looney, who could give you quality minutes, possibly even into the playoffs. I'd trust 8 of them for certain. I'm not sold on Mulder or JTA, yet, but I want to see them in training camp.
Mulder...SSS. He looks like a pure shooter, which is useful in itself. Oh, except that Mulder has some defensive upside, too, if not much. Right now, he's a hair under 40% from 3 on >8 attempts. I've seen him show flashes of utility on defense, and I've seen him get abused. He does hustle for little things, though. He's still young enough to take a big leap with more time in the NBA.
If we need a more defensively-gifted perimeter player, we have JTA, who's 3pt shot is just good enough to make him a backup 3-and-D wing behind Wiggins. If he can take a leap in the rest of his offense--learning how to make cuts, like he's showed a few times--he could even be a kind of 3rd-string Klay. Low upside, but he's down on the depth chart already at 10/11.
Bowman must learn to shoot, but even if he does, I'm not sure why we need an undersized, pass-first guard when we're stocked with bigger guards and forwards who can score, defend, and seem to be developing into capable passers and shot-creators.
Smailigic is a baby, totally unproven, but that dunk on LeBron makes me intrigued to see what he can become if he really tries.
Bender will be gone.
And this is not counting anything we might do in the off-season. If we get a high draft pick, and Bob does his thing with recruiting FAs...we need another center, and ideally we'd replace JTA with a more legit 3-and-D wing with a more diverse array of skills. Beyond that, what else do we really need? A stretch 5?
Speaking of tandems and team fit, this Nylon Calculus article on calculating an optimal lineup is pretty interesting: https://fansided.com/2020/03/02/nylon-calculus-optimizing-nba-lineup-fit/
In particular, I really like the chart of player archetypes (assembled by first clustering players with similar scores for various stats, then naming the clusters): https://fansided.com/files/2020/03/05-Fit-Archetype-talent-grades.jpg (For the example players, a parenthesis 4x means that 4 of that player's seasons qualified for the archetype.)
Obviously some stats are unreliable and some unique players don't fit cleanly into any single archetype, but it's a useful basis for figuring out what kinds of archetypes you can look for to fill out a team.
Part of what I like about the analysis is it affirms some of the now-conventional wisdom: 3-point shooting synergizes with more of the same; playmaking and rolling are synergistic with each other but duplicates are redundant; you need at least one big defender in a lineup to have a good defense.
But enough thinking about next year's roster: let's see the Baby Dubs hit LAC with the trap game SMAAAAASH!
Do the right thing, Lacob. The Dubs only have 2 home games (ofc today, and Thursday), then all road games until the 25th. No spectators for 2 games wouldn't be terrible.
I do believe the LGW comments section just came of age on this post. It was so enjoyable to read the interchange between those with some old, recognizable handles.
Back to lurking.
So with Mulder in the fold, when is Simmons getting a shot?
Clippers stats:
Offense:
5 in points scored!!!!!!!!!!!! (116.0)
12 in points in paint (48.7)
11 in fastbreak points (14.1)
5 in offensive efficiency!!!!!!!!!!!
12 in shooting % (46.4%)
10 in three point % !! (36.5%)
16 in two point % (52.1%)
6 in off. rebound % !!!!!!!!! (24.0%)
16 in def. rebound % (77.1%)
10 in total rebound % ! (51.2%)
14 in opponent blocks (5.0)
21 in opponent steals (7.9)
21 in assists (23.8)
16 in turnovers (14.9)
Defense:
12 in points allowed (109.7)
6 in opponent points in paint!!!!!!!!!! (45.0)
20 in opponent fastbreak points (13.9)
5 in defensive efficiency!!!!!!!!!!!
3 in opponent shooting % !!!!!!!!!!!!!! (43.6%)
3 in opponent three point % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (34.1%)
3 in opponent two point % !!!!!!!!!!!!! (49.6%)
15 in blocks (5.0)
23 in steals (7.2)
8 in opponent assists!!!!! (23.5)
19 in opponent turnovers (14.3)
"Golden State Warriors
(@warriors)
The Warriors have signed guard Mychal Mulder to a multi-year contract. Mulder, 25, averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.5 minutes over six games (two starts) during his initial 10-day stint with Golden State. "
Awesome, totally deserves it.
I have to register some disagreement with one part: "...given the general dearth of depth that Golden State is sure to be facing next year..."
Are we facing such a general dearth? Let's assume our players end up healthy, aside from Looney, who is a bigger unknown, IMO, than Klay.
But okay: we have our starters in Steph, Klay, Ender, Dray, and Chriss.
We have Eric Paschall. I don't need to say anything about him, but I think he may have as much impact as Wiggins. I think we managed to get a 6MOY at the 41st-pick. I think he could be an offensive closer to put in if we need an iso-scorer who can get to the line at will. I think I might be in love with him.
Off the bench, we have 2 combo guards who can shoot and make plays and show a willingness to play defense. I think they also have the physical tools to do a decent job:
Poole is 6'4" and 195 with a 6'7" wingspan, decent instincts if not great, and a hustle I like more and more. He's got the shooter's mindset but is surprisingly good at creating shots for others. Seems mature for his age, which is good, because that makes me think he will keep improving as he's barely 21.
Lee is 6'5" (or 6'6", depending on which site you believe) with a 6'6" wingspan. He's a solid rebounder for his size and position, is improving as a 2ndary playmaker, and he, too, has the intangibles and the pride that make me think he could be a plus-defender. At 27, he's more of a finished product, but I think he hasn't quite reached his full potential, either. More NBA minutes, especially with more effective players around him, and who knows?
That's 8 guys, not counting Looney, who could give you quality minutes, possibly even into the playoffs. I'd trust 8 of them for certain. I'm not sold on Mulder or JTA, yet, but I want to see them in training camp.
Mulder...SSS. He looks like a pure shooter, which is useful in itself. Oh, except that Mulder has some defensive upside, too, if not much. Right now, he's a hair under 40% from 3 on >8 attempts. I've seen him show flashes of utility on defense, and I've seen him get abused. He does hustle for little things, though. He's still young enough to take a big leap with more time in the NBA.
If we need a more defensively-gifted perimeter player, we have JTA, who's 3pt shot is just good enough to make him a backup 3-and-D wing behind Wiggins. If he can take a leap in the rest of his offense--learning how to make cuts, like he's showed a few times--he could even be a kind of 3rd-string Klay. Low upside, but he's down on the depth chart already at 10/11.
Bowman must learn to shoot, but even if he does, I'm not sure why we need an undersized, pass-first guard when we're stocked with bigger guards and forwards who can score, defend, and seem to be developing into capable passers and shot-creators.
Smailigic is a baby, totally unproven, but that dunk on LeBron makes me intrigued to see what he can become if he really tries.
Bender will be gone.
And this is not counting anything we might do in the off-season. If we get a high draft pick, and Bob does his thing with recruiting FAs...we need another center, and ideally we'd replace JTA with a more legit 3-and-D wing with a more diverse array of skills. Beyond that, what else do we really need? A stretch 5?