LaMarcus: A Tale of Two Half Seasons

by Blaz06Draft on Feb 8, 2011 8:46 AM PST

We've come to the point where the "new LaMarcus" has played exactly as many games this season as the "old LaMarcus." The "old LaMarcus" played 26 games, and then BRoy, our franchise player, went out with double knee surgeries. The "new LaMarcus" has filled the void as go to guy quite remarkably. What do the scoring and rebounding stats tell us about this tale of two half seasons?

The "old LaMarcus" averaged 17.8 points and 8.0 rebounds. This is consistent with his prior three (non-rookie) years, in which he averaged 17.9 and 7.7.

So what has the "new LaMarcus" done? Just averaged 25.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. He jumped his scoring by 43% and his rebounding by 28%!

Points-wise, "new LaMarcus" would be tied witrh Kobe and DWade for 4th in scoring, behind only Durant, Amare, and LeBron,

Rebounding-wise, "new LaMarcus" would be 6th in the league, behind Kevin Love, Dwight Howard, Zach Randolph, Blake Griffin, and Pau Gasol.

If you make a "big man index" that adds points per game and rebounds per game, the rankings of this year's top big men are as follows:

1 Love 37.0

2 "new LaMarcus": 36.6

3 Dwight Howard 36.1

4 Durant 36.0

5 Griffin 35.7

6 Amare 35.1

7+: 33 or below: LeBron, Randolph, Carmelo, Nowitzski, Gasol

"old LaMarcus": 25.8

"New LaMarcus" has vaulted himself to the top of the pack of NBA big men! What a remarkable transformation! Congratulations, LA, and keep it up. Good things lay ahead!

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The question this season is not old or new lamarcus

he has been trying to work the middle all season even before his production uptick, it is that he is now the featured guy.

It will be interesting to see what happens upon Roy’s return…I bet LMA’s numbers take a hit

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Feb 8, 2011 11:10 AM PST reply actions

:*(

I hope not

The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 8, 2011 4:54 PM PST up reply actions

One glaring thing to me is that

LMA has been playing a TON of minutes. When you’re on the floor practically the entire game, you have more chances to score. I don’t think it’s healthy to be riding him this much especially down the home stretch. That said, when we get Roy and Camby back, we will be able to rest LMA a little more simply because we’ll have more bodies. Therefore, logic would suggest his numbers would naturally decrease. The key (IMHO) will be to maintain the shooting % and type of shots he take. I’ll be curious to see how the fanbase/media will look at it though, should this scenario play out.

"Jumper-free throw-free throw-alley oop-jumper-post move-oh please stop hurting us LaMarcus!" -Dave 2/14/11

by Kroes32 on Feb 8, 2011 2:14 PM PST reply actions

i agree, the whole 'Portland players play a ton of minutes' thing is worrisome

The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 8, 2011 4:53 PM PST up reply actions

maybe

Aldridge has always played over 40 though hasn’t he? He always seems to get stronger as the season progresses. Just imagine if he has his usual post all star break surge this season! Wowzers…

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Feb 8, 2011 5:01 PM PST up reply actions

The eye test is the key

does he become pick and pop LaMarcus with Roy on the floor or does he remain LaMonster on the block.

I did a breakdown of Portlands pick and rolls at some point last season and showed that something like 35% of oour total plays were Roy ISO (someboidy else actually did this part of the research). I looked at how often, of those ISO plays Roy hit a roller off the pick, hit a popper off the pick, passed out to the perimeter or shot himself. The roller was hit with a pass 5% of the time while poppers (LMA or other player) got that ball 30% of the time. What that told me is our guys did what would get them the ball. If we go back to that LMA will go back to being a popping PF with a Ball Dominant SG.

Look at the player Bosh is this year compared to prior seasons. Bosh is now primarily a popper alongside his ball dominant partners, he hits the blocks WAY less often than when not playing alongside that ball dominant SG.

The question for me is will Roy realize this, will he hit his roller more often (he would need an upgrade in his passing skills to do that) or work on finding the ball by working without the ball first, rather than through Top of the key ISOs. I would prefer the latter myself. I think Roy can be potent off the ball with this offense, but it remains to be seen how it will play out.

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Feb 8, 2011 4:58 PM PST up reply actions

I think we've seen a reversal of roles

Roy only recently has become more of a jump shooter. LMA has become a post player. It was almost the other way around before. I’m hoping they will compliment each other now – work from the inside out. Life would be a lot easier for Roy if he and LMA worked the same side of the floor. LMA draws a double and kicks it out to Roy. Just a thought.

"Jumper-free throw-free throw-alley oop-jumper-post move-oh please stop hurting us LaMarcus!" -Dave 2/14/11

by Kroes32 on Feb 8, 2011 7:44 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

i agree

but will Roy?

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Feb 8, 2011 9:03 PM PST up reply actions

I believe he will.

Above all else, these guys are basketball players. If we can see it, I trust they can too. And if they can’t, there is a whole line of coaches that if they’re doing there job, will point it out. Yes they have egos and some have a really hard time putting that aside, but I don’t think he’s ignorant. He’s been sitting and watching this transformation for 2 months now. This may be naive of me to think but after LMA got his 42, Brandon went up to him with the biggest smile and gave him a big ol’ hug. When I saw that I couldn’t help but think that the fact that those too are really close off the court will help any possible jealousy when it comes to “who’s team it is.” Maybe?? Is it possible for one Allstar to be truly happy for another Allstar who just stepped up and took his team by the horns?

"Jumper-free throw-free throw-alley oop-jumper-post move-oh please stop hurting us LaMarcus!" -Dave 2/14/11

by Kroes32 on Feb 9, 2011 8:05 AM PST up reply actions

What is being lost in LMA's scoring is his defense and the 'little things'

For example, remember when dude from Chicago (I can’t remember who it was) missed the dunk last night on the break? Chicago had a 3 on 1 or 3 on 2 advantage and LMA stepped up and stopped the ball, then stepped over and bothered the receiver of the pass just enough so that he missed the jam. The old LMA would’ve ducked out of the way immediately.

Those kinds of things add up. He just seems overall more confident. I think he realizes that there are only a handful of guys who can really push him around – and even then only when he allows them to.

The guy can be a star, there’s no doubt about that. He has the game, the humble personality, the looks (heeeeeeeeeeeeey!). I don’t know if I’m ready to label him ‘franchise player’ yet just because I’ve been heartbroken before. But I’m close. He’s definitely earning that salary now. I worry in the future that he might outgrow Portland and yearn to play closer to home and/or in a bigger city.

The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 8, 2011 4:53 PM PST reply actions

if he keeps this production up

we under paid by market standards…

I do not think he is being underpaid though, just given what they are paying other guys LMA at this production level is a steal.

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Feb 8, 2011 5:00 PM PST up reply actions

we are getting Batman at a Robin price.

by Biph on Feb 8, 2011 5:06 PM PST up reply actions

who to run the offence thru

reality is, to be a high scorer the offence has to go thru you!!!!!! nad play the min!!! I think a great addition now more then ever would be a quick shooting guard who could dish off to LA when doubled teamed.. If Roy can be that player of 2yrs ago we just might make it to round 2 otherwise they will double team LA and we will be out in 5 games 1st round

by Danvegas on Feb 9, 2011 6:09 PM PST reply actions