Bulls vs Wolves 7pm CT

[dougthonus]

Counterpoint: see kodo’s post, above. The positioning of help defenders relative to Vuc. In a DDR mid range based offense, the players floating around DDRs spots are in a position to make life more uncomfortable for Vuc - both when he is in the post and when he is at the 3 point line near the top of the key. But in an offense more heavily geared to 3s, including lots of corner 3s on one side or the other, the fact that defenders are an extra step or 2 away could, theoretically, make a big difference in comfort and timing of shots. Maybe even seemingly “wide open” 3s.

For his 3s, 90% of them, no one was within 6 feet of him. I don't know what else to say about it, but you aren't ever more open than that in the NBA.

Maybe it makes some difference in the post ups, but from a practical sense, I don't think he was frequently crowded in the most due to DeMar's guy, we would DeMar around to get him on the opposite side of the court generally.

In the starting lineup Giddey replaced DeMar as well, and no one is gearing up to stop his three point shooting, so I'm not sure the overall spacing we're working with is meaningfully different, but it does depend a lot at what time you are comparing to.

[Dez]

Counterpoint: see kodo’s post, above. The positioning of help defenders relative to Vuc. In a DDR mid range based offense, the players floating around DDRs spots are in a position to make life more uncomfortable for Vuc - both when he is in the post and when he is at the 3 point line near the top of the key. But in an offense more heavily geared to 3s, including lots of corner 3s on one side or the other, the fact that defenders are an extra step or 2 away could, theoretically, make a big difference in comfort and timing of shots. Maybe even seemingly “wide open” 3s.

For his 3s, 90% of them, no one was within 6 feet of him. I don't know what else to say about it, but you aren't ever more open than that in the NBA.

Maybe it makes some difference in the post ups, but from a practical sense, I don't think he was frequently crowded in the most due to DeMar's guy, we would DeMar around to get him on the opposite side of the court generally.

In the starting lineup Giddey replaced DeMar as well, and no one is gearing up to stop his three point shooting, so I'm not sure the overall spacing we're working with is meaningfully different, but it does depend a lot at what time you are comparing to.

There is a mentality difference between DeMar and Giddey, you might get the ball from DeMar compared to Giddey where you will get the ball.

Easier to be ready and more engaged when you know the ball is coming.

[Ice Man]

As a data analyst, this is my estimate of the possible reasons for why Vuc is shooting better this year -

1) DDR left - 1%
2) Caruso left - 1%
3) Giddey arrived - 1%
4) Lonzo is on the bench - 1%
5) He's on a hot streak, whereas last year he was on the worst prolonged cold streak of his career - 96%

Edit - I just looked it up. Both last year and this year, Vuc takes 90%+ of his 3 point attempts while wide open, which is defined by the NBA as having no defender within 6 feet of him. Last year Vuc hit 30% of those wide open attempts and this year he is hitting 46%.

I just don't see how any player could possibly have an effect on Vuc's 3-point shooting percentage, given that he's effectively taking them in an open gym.

[Stratmaster]

On the Vuc debate, no one is saying Demar made Vuc miss 3's, right?

Vuc's entire game has gone up a level. His outside shooting will certainly come back to earth. The inside post game is just miles above where it was with Demar and it's pretty obvious. Not only obvious, but logical. Demar operated in a space that brought defenders to the post areas. Vuc's inside shots are less contested, usually more one on one looks. That doesn't mean Demar was bad or did anything wrong. It is just part of that roster construction thing everyone talked about for a couple seasons.

[Stratmaster]

I have to mention, Williams played a great first half of basketball. Still shaky with the ball unless it is just catching and shooting but overall a great first half.

Yay? I guess?

[Chi town]

I have to mention, Williams played a great first half of basketball. Still shaky with the ball unless it is just catching and shooting but overall a great first half.

May? I guess?

Exceptional defense. I’ve been saying since preseason the new pace and energy are going to take him awhile to adjust to. He has sped up too much with turnovers and at times not loved quick enough to get through screens etc.

After 20 games I think we will see a decent low volume 3pt shooter who can pass and not do much off the dribble and a strong defender who doesn’t rebound enough. Neutral contract. Tradable.

[sco]

I think both Vuc & Zach might bring back an FRP each, although in each case there are complications.

With Vuc the hope is he can continue to score and maybe resemble his AS Orlando days for a good stretch. Butnthe complication here is not so much the asset (an unprotected FRP) but the matching salary and how many years. If it's expiring great but if not you're back to square 1.
With Zach it's infinitely more complicated because not only does he have to continue to ball out like when he made the AS team, but he has to really show (even for a few months) that he ditched hero ball in favor of team ball. Then the salary matching will be even worse.

Very difficult but not impossible.

Enviado desde mi SM-T510 mediante Tapatalk

I think Vuc can get a protected future 1st similar to our pick for DDR. I’d even add our POR pick with Vuc to get a 1st in this draft. Don’t think POR pick will ever be more than a 2nd. They suck.

Zach will get us a lottery protected 1st. Hopefully in this draft. I’d also take a shooter like Knecht for him though with salary relief.

I think you guys are vastly overrating his trade value, but I'm with you in terms of hoping some team is willing to part with a future lotto protected 1st. That said, I'll doubt it. It's great that he's having a resurgence this season, but it will be heavily discounted based on his age and historical level.

[Stratmaster]

I have to mention, Williams played a great first half of basketball. Still shaky with the ball unless it is just catching and shooting but overall a great first half.

May? I guess?

Exceptional defense. I’ve been saying since preseason the new pace and energy are going to take him awhile to adjust to. He has sped up too much with turnovers and at times not loved quick enough to get through screens etc.

After 20 games I think we will see a decent low volume 3pt shooter who can pass and not do much off the dribble and a strong defender who doesn’t rebound enough. Neutral contract. Tradable.

I hope the tradeable part comes through. But it was only one half of basketball. He quickly reverted back.