JGolds
Well-Known Member
https://www.nba.com/2012/news/featu...ion-advanced-stats/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
where do you think the standings will be?
where do you think the standings will be?
That's a quite a difference in team defensive rating between when Millsap and Favors are on the floor versus Millsap and Jefferson. Anyway, in respons to the original question:
1. Thunder
2. Jazz
3. Nuggets
4. Timberwolves
5. Blazers
That said, I think we could really see any combination with the Jazz, Nuggets and Timberwolves in the 2-4 positions. They should all be pretty close together.
yeah i was really surprised by the huge difference in defense eff. but i guess watchign the games it is easly noticed. jeffereson puts basically zero energy into defense. i think thats why milsap goes into the 4th with 4 to five fouls. he has been rolling over to jeffersons side and picking up the slack. ive always been amazed how al can go 48 mins with only 1 or 2 fouls..
I wouldn't say Jefferson puts zero energy into defense. I actually see him as a decent man-to-man defensive center. He's not great at the whole team defense thing though. Favors is an overall better defender because he can guard his man and protect the basket when other players get in the paint.
"Utah's defense will improve if Derrick Favors takes more minutes from Al Jefferson. The Jazz allowed just 94.7 points per 100 possessions in 466 minutes with Favors and Paul Millsap on the floor together last season, vs. 104.9 in 1,818 minutes with Jefferson and Millsap on the floor."
Shocking^^
More like objective, not biased? I could see Jazz finishing better then Minny, especialy if injuries hit them hard again. But if Rubio is back in December as predicted and they stay relatively healthy - they will finish higher then Jazz.
Just as mine is that the Jazz will finish higher than the Wolves because the Jazz are the better team.
Lets see:
starters: Love, Pekovic, AK, Roy, Rubio vs M.Williams, Burks, Hayward, Millsap, big AL
I think it is fair to say that advantage Wolves.
coaching: not even close, advantage Wolves
Bench: Budinger, Shved, Stiemsma, D.Williams, D.Cunnigham, Ridnour, Barea, Lee vs M.Williams, Foye, Evans, Tinsley, Watson, Kanter, Favors, Murphy? I would call it even, maybe slight advantage Jazz.
So at the end to me it looks like like Wolves have better team. It is not clear cut but Love alone is enough( superstar, which Jazz lack ) to give edge to Wolves.
1. OKC
2-4. Flip a coin.
5. Portland
You can make a case for Utah, Denver or Minnesota as the 2nd best team.
Minnesota may have finished in 2nd last season had Rubio not gotten hurt. They got rid of their headcase, Beasley, and for better or worse, picked up AK. But which AK will they get? Does Roy have anything left? And don't forget the all-important upgrade of Stiensma over Milicic.
Denver has Chandler for the entire season. They got Iguodala for peanuts. Was Washington the problem for McGee or will this be the breakout season for "Boom Bitches?"