By Henry Abbott
- Ryan Schwan from Hornets247: "The Chris Paul Insane Shooting Update: He went 14-23 tonight, and 3-4 from three. Incredibly, that lowers his shooting percentages for the season to 64% from the field and 75% from three." In the same game, Maverick Jason Terry had 35 points on 18 shots.
- Schwan also has this note about Jason Kidd: "Speaking of finishing terribly, I'd like to thank Jason Kidd for driving to the hoop on two key posessions at the end of the game. Nothing speaks more to the deterioration of his skills than the fact that the Hornets played Stojakovic, Posey and Songaila on him defensively for a lot of the game, and Kidd was still not a threat except as a spot up shooter."
- Michael Beasley, benched with the game on the line. Again.
- Fascinating look at teamwork, from Michael J. Mauboussin in the Harvard Business Journal: "Many companies, sports teams, and entertainment businesses hire a star when they want to quickly improve the organization’s results. More often than not, however, newly transplanted stars fail to deliver, because they’re separated from the people, structures, and norms that helped make them great in the first place. In one study, professors from Harvard Business School tracked more than 1,000 acclaimed equity analysts over a decade and monitored how their performance changed when they switched firms. The dour conclusion of the research: “'a company hires a star, the star’s performance plunges, there is a sharp decline in the functioning of the group or team the person works with, and the company’s market value falls.'” (Via Caltech coach Dr. Oliver Eslinger.)
- What do you think about the idea of Vince Carter, Hall-of-Famer? If the Magic win a title with him, it's possible.
- Earlier today I wrote about the evils of predictably isolating superstars in crunch time. Here's an argument for it. Kurt from Forum Blue and Gold cites Laker broadcaster Stu Lantz: "The Lakers final play of regulation, when Bynum came out high to set a pick for Kobe, both players trapped Kobe and he had no lane and no options. Stu questioned bringing another defender out high rather than clearing out when everyone in the building knew Kobe would take the shot." I hear that argument. But my point would be that the offense has one distinct advantage over the defense: It can know what will happen next. If everyone in the building knows who's going to shoot, haven't you given up that advantage?
- This post opens with a must-read amazing rundown of the various point guards who have run beside LeBron James.
- I once wrote that Dirk Nowitzki is unconvincing as a scorer when he puts the ball on the floor and drives into the paint. If I ever write that again, feel free to send me the link to this video.
- The cultural implications of various Thunder player hairstyles in conservative Oklahoma City. Apparently, being a poet gives a guy some leeway with key fans.
- The Celtics' early season defense and wins are flirting with records.
- Zach Harper of Cowbell Kingdom, on how the Hawks beat the Kings. My question is: If that's so easy, why doesn't every team do that to every superstar? "The Kings failed to find way to get Kevin Martin shot attempts and didn’t have an adequate backup plan during this period. Martin checked into the fourth quarter around the 10-minute mark but didn’t attempt a shot until there was 3:43 left in the game. The Hawks made a concerted effort to keep the ball out of his hands and to force any other King to beat them. And it worked. 'They had a pretty good plan. Every time we set a ball screen, they were doubling it,' said Martin on why the Hawks were able to keep the ball out of his hands."
- This video has an insane Baron Davis behind-the-head pass, while rebounding, to Chris Kaman. Tremendous.
- J.E. Skeets has a lot to teach Tyler Hansbrough.
- Handicapping the D-League draft. Look out for Nate Miles, the recruit who got the UConn program in all kinds of hot water.
- The Wizards' TV ratings are way up. Funny thing about wins.
- Meet the Mavericks new stat guy.
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TRUEHOOP CONTRIBUTORS
Henry AbbottTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
J.A. AdandeTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Kevin ArnovitzTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chris BroussardTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chad FordTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
John HollingerTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
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