The above was one of the first search results on youtube returned from the query “Nene Hilario highlights.” I have not watched more than three seconds of it but my experience on the internet has taught me that highlight mixes are an absolute necessity when discussing any potential personnel acquisition.
So ESPN reported that the Rockets would be at the front of the line if Nene were traded. Given that he will likely be dealt if Melo is dealt, and Melo is most likely to be dealt, it’s a safe assumption that Nene will be dealt. We can examine the different factors in anticipation:
First, Nene would make for a great t-shirt, given his unique eccentricities. This is an important ‘pro’ on the list. In addition, he is foreign-born, which adds to our Dream-centric escapist nostalgia. Another important pro in our never-ending desire to connect all present to the glory years.
As has been cited before, Nene has some fairly embarrassing numbers, having averaged just 6.8 board and .9 blocks per game over his career. Taking his 12ppg scoring average, from where is his worth derived?
I thought I’d look at Synergy for a closer look: Overall, opponents score against him 44% of the time, score on 40% of their isolation attempts, 46% of their post-ups, 41% off their attempts on P&R’s, and 49% of their tries when spotting up. In comparison, opponents score against Chuck Hayes just on 39% of their attempts, 41% of their isolations, 39% of their post-ups, 61% of their attempts off P&R’s, and 32% of their spot-up attempts.
Now naturally, a direct comparison is a very inexact science as extrinsic factors such as team defense are not given consideraton. But it’s interesting nonetheless. What is Nene’s worth? He doesn’t seem to come close to Hayes defensively. While Hayes might be the best big man defender in basketball, it’s a fair standard for comparison given Nene’s offensive inabilities: you’d be trading for him for his defense, so it’s disconcerting that he doesn’t quite stack up. The only number that possibly jumps out is the pick&roll defense where Nene is substantially superior to our tree stump. P&R defense has killed us for years, but is shoring up that hole worth a significant chunk of our assets?
Offensively, Nene shoots over 60% from the floor but is not exactly a go-to option. But he is far superior to anything that we currently have.
Given what it would take to land him, is a significant offensive upgrade and concurrently significant defensive downgrade (with the assumption he’d replace Hayes in the lineup) worth the trouble? We’re probably overlooking something.
The other issue is his age. Do you pursue a 28 year old with mileage when the team is some years away? It’s a thematic question, but I don’t see this being a consideration for Morey as he would never field a team of 22 year olds; the goal always seems to be ‘competitiveness with an eye to the future.’
Nene is a confusing case, while possibly the most realistic target. If we landed him, I must admit, my excitement would be limited to the name-recognition as I can’t quite see from the numbers what he brings to justify his cost. What do you all think? I am likely missing something in the calculus.
‘Huq’s Pen’ is a column of musings written by Red94 founder and editor Rahat Huq. The name is subject to change given enough scorn and ridicule.
