MAGIC KINGDOM RENEWED?
- Return of First & Best "Stretch-4" +
- 'Bernard-King Re-Incarnate"
ORLANDO MAGIC: A DANGEROUS ANIMAL
2011 NBA PLAYOFFS
Blazer Fans may vex about Hedo Turkoglu's Free Agency Snub of Portland a few years back (Possibilities of Turkoglu as ball-reversal threat in Portland's System? Fah-get it...STILL playing the "what-if's" out here in Blazerland).
Orlando's success - most notably sensational Van Gundy Offense is greatly undervalued & unappreciated for the innovative aspects.
For 4 Years and counting in the Association, any/all achievement the Orlando Magic produce seems fundamentally, invariably glossed by the omni-present existence 'Superman', Orlando's Dwight Howard. Take nothing away from "D-12" & his tireless, energy & production for Orlando Frontcourt - all credit extended & deserved. Yet, Van Gundy is universally absent from most National media-driven discussions involving Orlando's effective successes. Curiously, Orlando's multiple Playoff Runs have actually been framed as occur IN SPITE of the cantankerous, insufferable Magic Head Coach, Stan "Van Jeremy", by ESPN's Ric Bucker & NBA TV's C-Webb, et al.
Stan Van Gundy's 4 Year Orlando Head Coach reveals a consistent, undeniably excellent level of proficiency:
- 52-30 (Lost East Semis | Farthest in Playoffs since '96)
- 59-23 (Lost NBA Finals)
- 59-23 (Lost East Finals)
170-76 (221-104 w/this Season = 68% Overall)
Damn Good - w/w/o 1 Superstar
Approaching 2011 Playoffs, Orlando's Roster has seemingly, nearly come full-circle; w/Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu returning to Magic mid-season. Hedo Turkoglu epitomizes the 'NBA Journeyman', after meandering on a 20 Month North American whirlwind - from Central Florida to Ontario, Canada, to The Desert Southwest, & finally BACK to The Magic Kingdom in a 19-Month span.
Starting over again in Orlando, Van Gundy & the Magic not only have 'Hedo-T', their Original 'Stretch-4' back in Starting Lineup, but added the outrageously under-valued, modern day 'Bernard King', explosive scorer Jason Richardson to the Mix.
Richardson came East w/Turk from the Suns, and will likely become acquainted w/casual fans again this playoff season…after bursting onto the scene as 30-Yr Old, Rookie-to-Playoffs in 09-10 (avg'd 27 PPG in Playoffs, w/High Game of 40 Points, leading Suns to First Round Playoff Upset of Higher-Seed Portland)
Orlando has had moderate success incorporating Turkoglu & Richardson into Magic method, 16-10 since All-Star Weekend.
Nevertheless, w/o Gortat (Trade Phx), & sorely lacking depth to spell #1 Rated NBA Postman, D Howard (Orlando Backup Post Orton out for Year), Orlando may not contend for NBA Title…this year.
However, the Magic w/Richardson & Turkoglu running the floor for Orlando, we should be treated to one of the NBA's most inventive offensive formulas we've seen in several decades.
The advantages gained by having 6-10 Turkoglu, at Age 31 near Peak Playing Rate, must outweigh his (subtle) defensive liabilities. Turkoglu' 5 Asst/Gm Rate (09-10 - Led Orlando Asst), might make Magic fans forget Micheal Peitrus & Vince Carter
Stan Van Gundy's use of the 3-Pointer is STILL, in my humble opinion, ahead of its time. SVG using all the intrinsic statistical advantages 3's (18-22% more O-Rebounds per Three Taken, thus 0.44% Overall True%/Three Rate THUS, Orlando is well over 60% True Shooting %, from 36.4% Orlando's Triples Made.
Many teams & statisticians are explicitly befuddled upon intrinsic assessment of Orlando's spellbinding use of the '3' on Fast Break in particular; (i.e., Orlando's organized fire-drill approach - one that runs against the grain of every fundamental 'weave' instinct a running team holds dear)
Most teams are left grasping at straws defensively - the eccentricity of Orlando Magic Offense.
Orlando has attempted OVER 2000 Threes in this 2010-2011 Season, and as every year of SVG Tenure in Orlando, The Magic lead the Association in 3's Attempted & Made - and it's not close.
NOW, with Turk back (Leading ASST Man for Magic during his last full season in Orlando), Watching Orlando strap it on w/these potent weapons; even more intensive use outside in, bombs away shooting rate, w/a Beast like D12 to clean it all up?
I wouldn't want to play Orlando in the NBA Playoffs. Yet it will be exhilarating to watch it unfold.
Hawks are first up.
Can't WAIT.
W-O-W
GETTING READY FOR NBA PLAYOFFS…
One Stand-Alone Statistic….maybe I'm the only one that just hasn't noticed this stunner already:
2010-2011 SEASON
Total Number of LAL Starting Lineups: 2
Several things make this stunning number:
Injuries + Age....
In the NBA, Statistically speaking, Advanced Age & More Injury Time generally, go hand-in...and result in increased time spent off the court for older players.
NBA Player Between 30-35 Yrs Old*
Gms lost to Injury: -4.4 Gm/Yr from Pre-30 Yrs
Min/Gm lost: -4.76 Min/Gm overall (nearly identical ratio)
Statistically, when NBA Player is Over 35:
(LAL Starter Derek Fisher is 36)
These numbers drop off the table
- -17.6 Games/Season
- -8.2 Min/Game
(Shaq Personally throws this one a bit)
Therefore, during these 34 Gms when
Odom was inserted for Injured Bynum...
ALL LAL STARTERS WERE 30+ YRS OLD
- 36 DEREK FISHER
- 32 KOBE BRYANT
- 31 LAMAR ODOM
- 31 RON ARTEST
- 30 PAO GASOL
LAL STARTERS AVG AGE IN THESE 34 GMS:
NEXT closest Playoff Tm w/Fewest Starting Line-ups?
San Antonio
- 7 Different Starting Line-ups
- 29.2 YRS OLD (Avg Age of SAS Starter)
SAS Post, D Blair (Age 21) skews median
SAS STARTED 3 of 5 Players in 30's
- 34 TIM DUNCAN
- 33 MANU GINOBILI
- 30 RICHARD JEFFERSON
- 28 TONY PARKER
- 21 DeJUAN BLAIR
Obviously, Blockbuster Trades skew these numbers greatly
'Captain Obvious' Point to deduce here: TMS W/FEW LINEUP CHANGES - USUALLY - PROPORTIONALLY - SUCCESSFUL.
BURNING QUESTIONS
I. HOW DID THESE TWO CRUSTY TMS STAY THAT HEALTHY & CONSISTENT?II. w/ all this consistency,
HOW DID DEFENDING CHAMPS
FINISH SECOND in WEST?[cc: Basketball-Reference.com | 12 Years: 1998/1999-Pres]Got some theories...
Yet I'll let this simmer here for ANY potential interestHERE'S THE LIST - FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH& LAL's LINE-UPS FOLLOWING IT ALL
- LA LAKERS 2
- SAN ANTONIO 7
- CHICAGO 8
- OKLAHOMA CITY 9
- PHILADELPHIA 9
- PORTLAND 10
- BOSTON 11
- MEMPHIS 11
- NEW ORLEANS 13
- INDIANA 13
- MIAMI 13
- ORLANDO 14
- ATLANTA 16
- NEW YORK 16
- DENVER 18
- DALLAS 22
LAL 2010-2011 STARTING LINEUPS 1 Tue, Oct 26, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM2 Fri, Oct 29, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM3 Sun, Oct 31, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM4 Tue, Nov 2, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM5 Wed, Nov 3, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM6 Fri, Nov 5, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM7 Sun, Nov 7, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM8 Tue, Nov 9, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM9 Thu, Nov 11, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM10 Sun, Nov 14, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM11 Tue, Nov 16, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM12 Wed, Nov 17, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM13 Fri, Nov 19, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM14 Sun, Nov 21, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM15 Tue, Nov 23, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM16 Fri, Nov 26, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM17 Sun, Nov 28, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM18 Tue, Nov 30, 201
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM19 Wed, Dec 1, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM20 Fri, Dec 3, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM21 Tue, Dec 7, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM22 Wed, Dec 8, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM23 Fri, Dec 10, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM24 Sun, Dec 12, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM25 Tue, Dec 14, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM26 Wed, Dec 15, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM27 Fri, Dec 17, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM28 Sun, Dec 19, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM29 Tue, Dec 21, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM30 Sat, Dec 25, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM31 Tue, Dec 28, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM32 Wed, Dec 29, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM33 Fri, Dec 31, 2010
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM34 Sun, Jan 2, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM35 Tue, Jan 4, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM36 Wed, Jan 5, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM37 Fri, Jan 7, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM38 Sun, Jan 9, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM39 Tue, Jan 11, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM40 Wed, Jan 12, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM41 Fri, Jan 14, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM42 Sun, Jan 16, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM43 Mon, Jan 17, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM44 Wed, Jan 19, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM45 Fri, Jan 21, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM46 Tue, Jan 25, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM47 Fri, Jan 28, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM48 Sun, Jan 30, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM49 Tue, Feb 1, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM50 Thu, Feb 3, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM51 Sat, Feb 5, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM52 Mon, Feb 7, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM53 Thu, Feb 10, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM54 Fri, Feb 11, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM55 Sun, Feb 13, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM56 Mon, Feb 14, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM57 Wed, Feb 16, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM58 Tue, Feb 22, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM59 Wed, Feb 23, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM60 Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM61 Sun, Feb 27, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM62 Tue, Mar 1, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM63 Fri, Mar 4, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM64 Sun, Mar 6, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM65 Tue, Mar 8, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM66 Thu, Mar 10, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM67 Sat, Mar 12, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM68 Mon, Mar 14, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM69 Fri, Mar 18, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM70 Sun, Mar 20, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM71 Tue, Mar 22, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol ODOM72 Fri, Mar 25, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM73 Sun, Mar 27, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM74 Thu, Mar 31, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM75 Fri, Apr 1, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM76 Sun, Apr 3, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM77 Tue, Apr 5, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM78 Wed, Apr 6, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUM79 Fri, Apr 8, 2011
Fisher Bryant Artest Gasol BYNUMPortland was out in front of Gms Lost to Injury,
as we could have guessed….we will compile those numbersW-O-W
2011 NCAA FINAL FOUR
Saturday, April 2, 2011 | 6:09 PM, EDT | TV-CBS
Reliant Stadium | Houston, Texas
8 BUTLER BULLDOGS 27-9 | 12-6 Conf (20-14 ATS)
11 VA COMMONWEALTH RAMS 28-11 | 15-6 Cf (18-20 ATS)
Game #1
Broken this down every way possible this week
Several conclusions to draw from
1. COACHING
Butler's Brad Stevens vs VCU's Shaka Smart
Tough call here, yet Despite VCU's astounding run,
(& yes, VCU Won CBI Last Season....yawn)
BUTLER'S 2 YEAR STORY SURPASSES VCU's 5-GAME RUN
The resourcefulness of Butler's HC Brad Stevens & Staff
Engineering BTB Final Four appearances,
despite losing #1 2009-2010 Contributor, 6-0 Gordan Hayward to Graduation & Opponents' axiomatic 'Butler-Upset-Alert' always on 'HIGH'
This Butler Team has now nearly surpassed an improbable 2009-2010 Final Four Run.
The Mid-Major Bulldogs' 10-1 Two-Year NCAA Tournament Record speaks volumes about Butler's grit, execution & coaching proficiency....& gives Butler an unqualified Edge in Houston.
Often Overlooked:
Butler WON 3rd Consecutive Horizon Title
at 'The Cell' in MILWAUKEE, vs #1 SEED Panthers, 59-44.
NCAA did not extend any at-large bids to Horizon; thus in hindsight, Butler was required to Win Conference Tourney to get an invite to defend NCAA Runner-Up distinction.
Many on-court aspects give Butler the edge vs VCU
2. PG SPOT
BUTLER's 6-3 | 221 Jr MACK
vs
VCU's 5-10 | 174 Sr RODRIGUEZ
Mack effectively uses SIZE to kill smaller Guards at 'Flash' spot. (Inside FT Line, off endless Butler Back-Screens).
Mack effectively uses SIZE to Back Down lighter guards.
(i.e., MACK +48 LBS | +5" on VCU's JOEY RODRIGUEZ),
Enables Mack to score over him, or better yet, draw sagging / Help-D, w/Mack finding spot-ups, via kick-out, from Butler's sensational rotations.
MACK ROLE/SIZE IN BUTLER'S SCHEME VITAL
& = ALL THOSE GREAT BUTLER INSIDE-OUT 3's
3. THREES - THREES - THREES
BUTLER HASN'T ALWAYS SHOT BETTER % FROM DEEP IN THEIR TOURNAMENT GAMES
YET, BUTLER HAS SHOT MANY MORE 3's (+35)
Here is where real discernible differences lie between
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH vs BUTLER
VCU SHOOTING GREAT FROM DEEP (NCAA TOURNEY) 47.2%VCU ALLOWING OPP ½ THIS% FROM DEEP: 23% (VCU % Alwd)
Nevertheless, Butler IS LIMITING OPPONENTS to LESS THAN ½ SEASON AVERAGE NUMBER of 3-PT ATTEMPTS
More Important, Butler is limiting 3-Point Attempts, especially from Teams (such as VCU), which rely most heavily upon Triples.
After adding VCU to this list, 4 of 5 BUTLER OPPONENTS were top third, HIGHEST SEASONAL, 3-Pt Distribution Teams in Tourney
(VCU 12% Highest 3-Pt Distribution Team)
Graphic Demonstration of how exceptionally proficient Butler continually has been w/Tournament Perimeter Defense.
4. FEWER POSSESSIONS | TOURNEY GAME GRINDERS
PART OF THIS IS PACE
VCU: QUICKEST PACED TEAM FINAL FOUR (67.1 Poss/Gm)
BUTLER: SLOWEST PACED (64.4 Poss/Gm)
Butler limiting Possessions, playing their Defensive Gm &
Should effectively limit VCU Rodriguez' SPEED & Aptitude to get into Lane & get Run-Outs
BUTLER IS SENSATIONAL AT LIMITING RUNOUTS
BUTLER IS EVEN BETTER AT STUFFING PASSING LANES
VCU has thrived in Tourney w/Offensive-Spacing
VCU has had more run-outs than any tm in recent memory VCU benefiting from Rodriguez' terrific playmaking savvy, hitting open BIGS for the Unreal Numbers they've been splashing from deep: 52.1%
VCU's Rozzell | Skeen | Burgess
Tournament collective 3-Pt Shooting:
2.53 Threes/Gm Avg, EACH
5. DEFENSIVE STYLISTICS
Butlers' Slide-Match-up Zone
(Difficult to distinguish from 'Tri2', yet reportedly different)
IS IDYLLIC SYSTEM FOR THE 'OVERPLAY-PRONE' RAMS
STUNNING W/FSU RUNNING A SIMILAR MATCH-Z TO PERFECTION, YET VCU FIGHTING THRU IT TO WIN
Second Part is that VCU allowed so many MORE 3-Attempts
& Many of their Tourney Opponents don't take a lot of 3's
(FSU, SO CAL)
However, VCU allowed 20 Threes /Gm thru 5 Tourney Gms
Any Coach would tell you they were very fortunate here
A team getting that 3's up, at collective 23%? (23-100 alwd)
Thus, (Brace yourselves, VCU-backers)
INORDINATE HIGH OPPONENT 3-ATTEMPTS; Dead Giveaway.
VCU OPPONENTS POOR SHOOTING
Far more attributable to the 23% Deep Number
Than VCU GREAT DEFENSE
VCU OPPONENTS ARE MISSING MORE OPEN LOOKS
BUTLER OPPONENT'S MAKING 30% on below average attempts/gm, clearly indicates Bulldog Opponents are battling thru far more HOTLY CONTESTED 3-BALL LOOKS.
Smaller amount - more duress (in general)
6. MORE MATCH-UPS & LAW-OF-AVERAGES
Not only Mack on Rodriguez
Butler Defensively:
[4] BTLR 6-8 | 238 Sr Matt Howard at Stretch-4
[5] BTLR 6-11 | 244 Soph Andrew Smith in Post
Repeating myself a bit (from earlier thread)
Butler Should Seer Success vs Good Shooting Bigs:
Butler: Week to prepare for 52.1% Successful, Good Tourney 3-Pt Shooting of VCU Bigs, Skeen | Burgess | Rozzell
VCU BIGS ARE GOOD SHOOTERS
YET THESE NUMBERS FAR, FAR EXCEED A REASONABLE BINOMIAL STANDARD RANGE
....EVEN SHORTEST-TERM, EXPECTED RANGE(S)
Hence, running into a Savvy, VET-TM
Repeating the 'Magic Carpet Ride';
Twice in 2 yrs, last yr, and did it again?
Butler has reverse scenario w/their great 3-Ball Shooter,
[1] BTLR 6-3 | 222 Sr Sheldon Mack
Mack is struggling lately (4-18 last 3)
Thus, SHOOTING FAR BELOW HIS 'BINOMIAL AVG'
How will Butler respond to actually throwing on their WHITE UNI's at Final-4? Playing the Favorite role?
Truly believe it'll be a good thing for Butler
BUTLER is a BARGAIN as JUST ONE POSSESSION FAV
Final Four Play-of-the-Week
3 UNIT
11 VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
8 BUTLER -145* (Moneyline* | BetUS)
_____________________
2011 NCAA FINAL FOUR
Saturday, April 2, 2011 | 8:49 PM, EDT | TV-CBS
Reliant Stadium | Houston, Texas
4 KENTUCKY WILDCATS 29-8 | 13-6 Conf (16-16 ATS)
3 CONNECTICUT HUSKIES 30-9 | 14-9 Conf (21-12 ATS)
Game #2
1. POINT-GUARD MATCH-UP
Not just the Scoring of
UCONN 6-1 | 172 Jr Kemba Walker (27 PPG Tourney)
But his unreal accompanying numbers are sensational
- Rebounds: 5.33/Gm
- Steals: 6 Tourney
- Assist to Turnover Ratio: 2.7 Tourney
vs
KY Dynamic yet erratic FRESHMAN
UKY 6-3 | 185 Fr Brandon Knight
2. CONNECTICUT 'BIGS'
Huskies are #6 Biggest Team in NCAA
& Conn underrated / unheralded Bigs for Huskies
3. DEPTH DIFFERENCE
Cats bring a shockingly thin rotation to Houston
KY is '6-DEEP' for all practical purposes
Final-4 Games w/so much week-long energy building
Statistically results in +4.4 PF's/Gm
vs Rest of Tourney (Last 15 yrs)
4. 3-POINT EQUALIZER
3-Pt Shooting suffers in HUGE Football Stadium
Backdrops can affect deep shooters (fact also -4.4% lower)
Not just depth perception, but drafts
We should see this (mentally if nothing else)
Effect Ky enough to neutralize Cats Advantage
Ky comes in Best 3-Shooting team in F-4
All of it adds up to Dog Win for UConn
2 UNIT
4 KENTUCKY
3 CONNECTICUT +3 (BH | Bookmaker)
Like this so much more than M-L,
Worth Xtra 'Yang to get it at ONE FULL POSSESSION/DAWG
2011 FINAL FOUR
Getting into some position match-up assessments
STARTING 1's
Guard Play varies greatly among these 4 Teams
4 UKY 6-3 | 187 Fr Brandon Knight
3 CON 6-1 | 172 Jr Kemba Walker
11 VCU 5-10 | 174 Sr Joey Rodriguez
8 BTL 6-3 | 221 Jr Sheldon Mack
Guard Play varies greatly among these 4 Teams
Size plays little role here
VCU's Rodriguez shortest by 3-5"
Yet, as more of a playmaker his length less significant
SCORING in TOURNEY
- CONNECTICUT | WALKER 27 PPG
- BUTLER | MACK 21 PPG
- KENTUCKY | KNIGHT 16 PPG
- VA COMMONWEALTH | RODRIGZ 10½ PPG
_________________
2011 Final Four | Point Guards
UConn's Kemba Walker is 2011 Tourney M-O-P
Giving Huskies a definitive, most significant advantage at '1'
UCONN 6-1 | 172 Jr KEMBA WALKER
Continues sensational NCAA Tourney Play
Walker raised vigorous 24 PPG Regular Season Avg
To 27 PPG in UConn's 4 Gm Tourney Run
Up from Season Avg 24 PPG
Important characteristic of Walker's numbers
Both Regular Season & Postseason
Is his marginal Shooting %'s
- WALKER SHOOTING 43.8% FG NCAA TOURNEY
- WALKER Shot nearly identical 43.3% FG Regular Season
Moreover, for all overwhelming acclaim showered upon Walker - carrying UConn thru inspiring 5-Day, 5-Gm Big East Tourney Title Run, & the specific praise for WALKER's Hot Shooting...
Staggering Fact remains:
WALKER MISSED ALL 3-PT GAME SHOTS TAKEN
IN 4 OF UCONN's 5 BIG EAST TOURNEY GMS
KEMBA WALKER - BIG-EAST TOURNAMENT 2-16 Deep
- 2-6 Threes vs Syracuse
- 0-10 Remaining 4 Gms
WALKER NCAA TOURNEY THREE's: 10-29 (34.8%)
Walker parallel 34% Regular Season from Deep
THAT SAID, Walker's accolades are 110% deserved
WHEN LOOKING AT WALKER's POWERFULLY CONSISTENT PRODUCTION
KEMBA FILLS STAT-SHEETS w/MULTIPLE EYE-POPPING POSITIVE NUMBERS
WALKER's REBOUND NUMBERS STAND OUT AMONG FINAL-FOUR PG's:
Kemba also produced these numbers in Tourney:
- 5¼ Rebounds/Game in Tourney
LASTLY, Kemba Walker's Play at BOTH ENDS speaks volumes
Walker's already proficient Regular Season 2.0 Assist|Turnover Ratio has moved from great to superb in
Tourney: 2.7 (27 Assists | 10 Turnovers)
Walker: 6 Steals in Tourney
Walker: Under 1 PF/Game in Tourney
Walker FG: 43.3%
WALKER PRODUCED 2nd MOST PTS 2010-2011 D-I: 931
(Closing in on Jimmer's 970)
WALKER AVG MPG LAST 24 GMS: 39.3 MIN/GM!
This totals 17 Minutes OFF Floor....Last 24 Gms
(OT's clearly inflates the number, yet EYE-Carumba)
Thus, Walker Plays 98.3% of UConn Min (Jan 1 Fwd)
Kemba Walker #1 NCAA Minutes Played: 1466 Minutes
Walker is on pace to log more single season min in 9 yrs
Running out of ways to describe Walker's excellence
________________
UKY 6-3 | 187 Fr BRANDON KNIGHT
Calipari's lightening quick, abundantly talented Freshman Point guard
Brandon Knight is young as he is WILDLY, precariously inconsistent
2011 NCAA TOURNEY:
- 2 PTS
- 30 PTS
- 9 PTS
- 22 PTS
Nevertheless, Knight nearly matching his 17 PPG season scoring Avg, w/16 PPG NCAA Tourney, got Ky to Houston
KNIGHT SHOOTING POORLY OVERALL: 35.7% FG
Yet, Knight side-by-side w/Kemba's Three rate
(9-26 | 34.6%)
Truthfully, Knight picking his spots
Having Fortitude to Hit Game Winner vs Bucks on a poor shooting day, puts him in a new light in many experts eyes
DEFENSIVELY, Knight has Good Size & deceptive quickness
KNIGHT BEST 3-PT SHOOTER AMONG F-4 PG's: 38.2%
(4.1% Higher than next closest, Mack)
KNIGHT Expected lowest Ast|T-Ov: 1.3 Reg (1.22 NCAA)
_________________
11 VCU 5-10 | 174 Sr JOEY RODRIGUEZ
THROWBACK POINT GUARD
- Smallest
- Lowest Scoring PG (10.54 PPG Reg | 10.2 PPG NCAA)
- Lowest FG% (35% FG Reg | 33% FG NCAA - 6-18)
Yet, Rodriguez running Rams show as a true decision making, leader-PG
ONLY SR STARTING POINT GUARD in FINAL-FOUR
Rodriguez Scoring Stats are secondary to his
DISTRIBUTION SKILLS
Rodriguez Best PG in Final Four KEY STAT
Asst|T-Over: 3.3 (33-10, thus 3.3 NCAA | 2.2 Reg)
Leadership has been ultimate difference maker for Rams
Joey Rodriguez makes this work for VCU
_________________
8 BTL 6-3 | 221 Jr SHELDON MACK
MACK HAS CARRIED BULLDOGS WHEN NECESSARY
21.25 PPG NCAA | 16 PPG REG
Struggled thru much of 2010-2011 w/absence of old Sidekick, 2009-2010 Bulldog Leading Scorer
6-8 | 204 Gordon Hayward
Mack's Reg Season shooting fell .050 (FG) & .077 (3's)
Nevertheless, Mack bounced back from 0-5 Three Shooting NCAA Opener, to Shoot 10-22 Last 3 Gms from deep
& Up Over his 40.5% Reg FG Shooting to 43% in Tourney
Veteran Savvy really key for Butler
MACK BIG-POINT GUARD SIZE (6-3), yet also 221 Lbs
Will not be surprised to see Butler repeatedly Flash Mack to Mid-Key &/or Posting Up Mack on Rodriguez, whom S Mack Outsizes by 5" & MORE IMPORTANT, Mack nearly 50+ LBS
Mack in midst of 4-18 Three-Ball Stretch
Mack is Vet-Savvy & Great at getting deep looks
We'd be inclined to conclude Mack's 22.2% 3-Point Shooting cannot last
_______________
STARTING 2's
4 UKY 6-4 | 197 Fr Doron Lamb *
3 CON 6-0 | 169 Fr Shabazz Napier
11 VCU 6-2 | 185 Sr Brandon Rozzell
8 BTL 6-0 | 171 Sr Shawn Vanzant
(*Lamb Started 3 of 4 Tourney Games for Cats)
SCORING IN TOURNEY
- VA COMMONWEALTH | ROZZELL 14 PPG
- BUTLER | VANZANT 8 PPG
- KENTUCKY | LAMB 6¾ PPG
- CONNECTICUT | NAPIER 5½ PPG
______________
2011 Final Four | Shooting Guards
UKY 6-4 | 197 Fr DORON LAMB
Ky's Lamb is not to be confused w/UConn Fr Jeremy Lamb
Has one of most eye-popping stat numbers in 2011 NCAA Tourney
LAMB: 11-15 FROM DEEP IN NCAA | 73.3%!
No Fluke, either
Ky's Lamb has several Un-Freshman-Like Season Stat Lines
- 18.25 PPG NCAA | 11.1 PPG Reg
- 48.3% FG | 49.7% Reg
The Biggie: Lamb shot 63% True FG on Season
DORON LAMB WILL BE A HANDFUL | ROUGH MATCHUP
Lamb's Three Shooting is BIG CONTRIBUTOR
To Ky Status as leading 3% Tm in Final 4 (Ky 40% Season)
____________
UCONN 6-0 | 169 Fr SHABAZZ NAPIER
Yet another Freshman to Man-up on Lamb
Though Napier gives up 4" & 25 Lbs
The defensive minded stopper, Napier
Could be the ideal leak-plug for UConn
Napier is steady as they come here
Playing along side Kemba?
Napier chooses shots wisely; few & none
Nevertheless, Napier 1.66 A|T-Over %
3x more Steals than all other Final-4 Shooting Guards
Great fit for Huskies...esp vs Ky Lamb
Draws Fouls as well as any Off-Guard
Playing into UConn Hands
As Lamb has unaccustomed lofty 2.43 PF/Gm Rate
____________
VCU 6-2 | 185 Sr BRANDON ROZZELL
Rozzell is in a quiet, very productive shooting groove out on Wing for Rams
Rozzell one of the Few SR's in F-4
Doesn't start all gms for VCU, yet Plays 50% of VCU Minutes
& led VCU in fundamental facet of Rams Offense
3-PT SHOOTING
Rozzell Hit 78 Threes for VCU this year (40.4%)
& has exceeded his high-level %'s in Tourney (47.8%)
ROZZELL IS HITTING 3's IN BIG SPOTS, too
VCU has needed Rozzell's Great Consistent Play
12, 16, 10 & 26 HUGE Pts (6-10 Deep) vs G'Town
Rozzell 16 PPG, Last-4 Tourney Gms isn't referenced often, yet Rozzell's Production (5+ Pts Over his 11 PPG Season Avg), is significant part of VCU place in Houston
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8 BTL 6-0 | 171 Sr SHAWN VANZANT
Epitome of HC Stevens 'System-Player'
So many seemingly mild numbers
Yet his low-error, hustle numbers are sparkling:
VANZANT 4.6 ASST|T-OVER's in NCAA
Not huge number of 3's in Tourney (or Yr | 81), yet, Vanzant is making em count
(42% Reg | 35.7% NCAA)
Vanzant should get start vs VCU, yet would NOT vs UConn
Butler Starting 6-3 | 6-0 | 6-0 works fine v VCU
(Not so well vs Ky | UConn)
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ALL THE BEST, GUYS
