Wages of Wins Journal: Oden>Hawes

The Wages of Wins Journal discusses the Suns and then disagrees with a Sacramento Bee columnist's take on the two young big men.

6 months ago jksnake99 Comment 9 comments 1 recs |

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Nice Article

Why do they always say “Per 48?” No one plays 48 minutes a game. Why isn’t it “Per 40” or something more like what a starter would play?

by tominhawaii on Dec 15, 2008 11:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

it doesn't really matter

it’s just for comparison purposes. it could be per second, it could be per 500 minutes…

JAH

by abetterbomb on Dec 15, 2008 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"I'm not depressed. I don't want to get too high on wins and too lows on losses. We have to work as a team to get better. This team has a lot of pressure and we have to continue to work" - Greg Oden, 12-12-2008

by broyposse on Dec 15, 2008 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Basketball Reference uses per 36. Much closer to reality, and you can "downgrade" the few guys who play more every night

Viva la Rudylucion

by Norsktroll on Dec 15, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Love this article

But it’s a good news/bad news article for Blazer fans.

Berri’s numbers’ early return on Oden bode well for the Blazers. And I would bet that young centers are much more able to improve shooting %, scoring, fouls, and turnovers (the numbers where Oden is below average) than they are rebounding (where Oden is a monster). That’s probably one reason why Berri thinks the gap between Hawes and Oden will continue to widen.

On the other hand, the analysis that the Suns could get near 50 wins following the trade could mean another year in the lottery for Portland, notwithstanding all the bullish percentages popping out of computers everywhere. Just about all of the teams behind Portland in the playoff race – San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix – have hung around despite major injuries or, in Phoenix’s case, have recently upgraded their roster.

This trade together with the Denver trade tend to lead me to the conclusion that it’s pretty much Dallas v. Portland for the last playoff spot. I just can’t see Utah, SA, NO, or Houston failing to make the playoffs, unless their injury problems continue. Which could happen.

If it doesn’t, though, things are going to be interesting…

Q: Is Greg favoring his knee?
Frye: He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors.

by KP Corleone on Dec 15, 2008 1:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I would not put my money on Dallas to miss the playoffs

They are still playing without Josh Howard, and improving regardless of that. Missing J-Ho is at least like the Blazers missing LaMarcus and having to improvise with Frye and small lineups. I think at the moment we finish the division behind Utah and if we are a bit lucky ahead of Denver on 6, and Dallas will sneak in on 7-8 and then probably lose again early. Might sound weird, but I think Houston drops out this year (after initially San Antonio looked like the one). They look really bad as soon as one of their stars is out, especially when it’s T-Mac. And those guys just can’t stay healthy.

Viva la Rudylucion

by Norsktroll on Dec 15, 2008 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm honestly not ready...

… to grant a playoff spot to anyone out west other than the Lakers. I’d be shocked if Utah misses the playoffs, but I wouldn’t be shocked by anyone else finishing 9th. The Nuggets have been fabulous since their trade, but they are still one frontcourt injury away from having problems. SA has looked great but I expect to see some regression to the mean by their role players (ie Hill, Mason, Bonner) and their reduced depth is going to place a big load on their big 3. So far, that team has done a great job dealing with injuries, but their depth is a major issue. I’m nowhere near ready to grant Phoenix a playoff spot either. I’m not impressed by Houston either.

I still think Portland can finish as high as the 2nd best record in the West. A healthy Utah team is the only group I could see pulling away from the pack, but there’s no guarantee they get healthy this year. The Blazers are definitely a candidate to finish 9th, but I don’t think it will happen. The schedule is favorable for much of January, February and March and I expect the Blazer depth will be enough to withstand injury issues and land a playoff seed between #4 and #6. That’s how I see it.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Dec 15, 2008 2:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you're right

Perhaps the rest and home crowd will improve their legs and allow them to play stiff defense late into the 4th quarter. KP has said since the beginning of the season that his goal was for the Blazers to make the playoffs. He’s not even sure that will happen, but if the defense improves, it definitely will.

BTW, does anyone know where I could get a large cutout or poster (like, life-sized) of any of the Blazer stars for my 8 year old? Fatheads doesn’t carry any Blazers! Insulting.

by 3pointer on Dec 15, 2008 2:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Denver

Agree with yo on their frontcourt situation, but Billups is exactly what that team needed. As a Blazer fan, I hated that deal the second it went through. The thing that scared me tonight is how well JR Smith played. Granted, most of his damage came in one great quarter, but if they can ever get him on the same page as the coaches/playing up to his talent level, that adds a real weapon to their roster. This season, I see the Blazers finishing third in the division, and seven or eight in the West overall, although 6 or (ugh) 9 wouldn’t be a big surprise depending on moves/injuries involving the Blazers and other playoff contenders.

Bayless has been testing the fences for weaknesses

by blazeraddict on Dec 15, 2008 10:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs