In today’s episode, I look at potential rivals in the Western Conference.
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The Red94 Podcast – Episode 21
August 11, 2013 5:32 pm
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Total comments: 15-
says 6 months ago
Defensive RAPM last year
Lin: -0.2
Harden: -0.9
Kobe: -1.2
Nash:-1.8
While not good, to say that they're Kobe / Nash territory is a bit of a stretch.
I didn't know kobe/nash were that terrible. I think lin will be a good defender and harden hopefully close to average.
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says 6 months ago
Thoughts on the podcast
2) Harden/Lin is just as bad as Nash/Kobe defensively. Harden is almost as bad as Nash and Kobe is about equal to Lin. But they have room to improve, whereas I don't see Kobe/Nash improving defensively.
Defensive RAPM last year
Lin: -0.2
Harden: -0.9
Kobe: -1.2
Nash:-1.8
While not good, to say that they're Kobe / Nash territory is a bit of a stretch.
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says 6 months ago
Our bench is fine but its not significantly better than league average, which isn't a big deal because we have a great starting lineup that includes 2 top 10 players which only the 2 time defending champs and okc has.
Our bench was rookies and nobodies last year, and now having a second unit and bench this good definitely helps in the season and especially in the playoffs to keep your starters rested. Our bench will be well above league average.
- says 6 months ago Yeah you could include them as well, and all three teams have had success with benches that aren't full of world beaters so its not a huge issue I'm just not expecting a ton from our bench.
- says 6 months ago TP and Duncan are in my top 10.
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says 6 months ago
No one on our bench is going to win SMOY but the same thing could be said about the 2-time defending champs I don't know about you, but I'm very happy about having Asik, Beverley, Garcia, and Casspi coming off the bench for us.
Our bench is fine but its not significantly better than league average, which isn't a big deal because we have a great starting lineup that includes 2 top 10 players which only the 2 time defending champs and okc has. -
says 6 months ago
You forgot Reggie Williams and demo who are extremely capable scorers and shooters along with Smith as your 3rd string C/PF and Brooks and cambey as injury reserves gives you one if the most deep and talented benches in the NBA.
No one on our bench is going to win SMOY but the same thing could be said about the 2-time defending champs I don't know about you, but I'm very happy about having Asik, Beverley, Garcia, and Casspi coming off the bench for us. -
says 6 months ago
Asik is probably the BEST bench player in the league.
Beverley and Garcia are quality backups.
Casspi could have a resurgence. We'll have to wait and see.
Either of Dmo/Jones could develop into a quality backup.
That's 10 deep. Anything more than that is useless in the playoffs
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says 6 months ago
I just don't see it, no one on our bench is overly impressive outside of asik and he can't score. And the injury proneniss of starters doesn't make any of the bench players worse.
No one on our bench is going to win SMOY but the same thing could be said about the 2-time defending champs I don't know about you, but I'm very happy about having Asik, Beverley, Garcia, and Casspi coming off the bench for us.
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says 6 months ago
I just don't see it, no one on our bench is overly impressive outside of asik and he can't score. And the injury proneniss of starters doesn't make any of the bench players worse.
When your top 2 players are that injury prone and you only have Douglas and O'neil to back them up, that's a very weak bench. Nothing compared to ours. -
says 6 months ago
Curry and lee are their only liabilties on defense. Bazemore Douglas Barnes speights oneal/ezili is just as a good a bench as anyone.
Ezeli is out for 6-9 weeks due to knee surgery. Not sure how he will look when he comes back, but I think the Warriors will rely more on Jermaine O'Neal as Bogut's back-up until the 2014-2015 season.
- says 6 months ago When your top 2 players are that injury prone and you only have Douglas and O'neil to back them up, that's a very weak bench. Nothing compared to ours.
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says 6 months ago
Honestly the warriors are rather overrated. They are extremely injury prone and they have rather poor backups so when somebody goes down they are screwed. Their entire game revolves around the jump shot and they have no defense beyond iggy and bogut. That's a major reason why I'm excited for this season is because we are one of the deepest and most talented teams in the NBA.
Curry and lee are their only liabilties on defense. Bazemore Douglas Barnes speights oneal/ezili is just as a good a bench as anyone. -
says 6 months ago
Honestly the warriors are rather overrated. They are extremely injury prone and they have rather poor backups so when somebody goes down they are screwed. Their entire game revolves around the jump shot and they have no defense beyond iggy and bogut. That's a major reason why I'm excited for this season is because we are one of the deepest and most talented teams in the NBA.
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says 6 months ago
Thoughts on the podcast
1) Howard won't be happy without a LOT of post ups, IMO. One of the biggest reasons he left the Lakers because he didn't like the PnR. When you think about it like that, you can understand D'Antoni's confusion about why Howard left. I agree that we should do lots of PnRs, but I don't think Howard would be happy with that.
2) Harden/Lin is just as bad as Nash/Kobe defensively. Harden is almost as bad as Nash and Kobe is about equal to Lin. But they have room to improve, whereas I don't see Kobe/Nash improving defensively.
3) I think Cuban has changed his strategy after the outcome of releasing Chandler and Barea was made known. He saw what the Rockets were able to do with K-Mart and realized his team needed more assets in case someone like Harden became available. So he signed Ellis/Calderon. He's banking on the coaching skills of Carlisle to create a system that will allow those two to shine. They're trade bait. He's trying to do things the way Morey did.
4) Portland is banking on Robin Lopez to be a defensive stalwart at center. Looking at how he performed his last year in New Orleans, it's not that big of a stretch. He was quietly pretty good. They could make some noise. If CJ Mccollum pans out as a 6th man, they could make some noise in the playoffs. They also have Mo Williams. What killed them last year is their bench. If this season doesn't pan out, watch for Dallas/San Antonio to go after Aldridge.
5) As for San Antonio. They lessen the burden on Manu, Parker, and Duncan while increasing the responsibilities on Splitter/Kawhi/Green. While Splitter had a bad finals, they have a HISTORY of developing players. I wouldn't be surprised if Splitter improves a lot. Kawhi will probably be an all-star with his increased role.
6) Ibaka is the wildcard for the Thunder. He's improved his 15-18 foot jumper and now has a corner 3. If he improves his post up game and just improves on everything he already does well, this team is scary. I think Perkins is the reason the Thunder haven't taken the next step. They won't get rid of him because of Howard now.