RealGM

Field Goals Attempted Per Game Differential Leaders (we are 3rd, it is about rebounding)
http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/_/stat/differential-per-game/sort/avgFieldGoalsAttemptedDifference


Free Throws Attempted Per Game Differential Leaders (we are 5th)
http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/_/stat/differential-per-game/sort/avgFreeThrowsAttemptedDifference

Actually this is abut defense, we don't foul.


Opponent Field Goal Percentage Leaders (we are 23rd, terrible)
http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/_/stat/defense-per-game/sort/fieldGoalPctOpponent/order/false

We have the 5th best scoring defense and are #1 in fewest offensive rebounds allowed. Can't judge defense by FG%. If you limit a team to only 1 shot and limit their FTs, they can shoot 50% and still only score in the 90s.

Conversely you can have the #1 FG% defense keeping teams to 39% every night, but allow the most offensive rebounds in the league and give up +100 ppg.

The Pistons are a good defense by doing the former, and in the end its about who scores most/least.

Todd3 wrote:We have the 5th best scoring defense and are #1 in fewest offensive rebounds allowed. Can't judge defense by FG%. If you limit a team to only 1 shot and limit their FTs, they can shoot 50% and still only score in the 90s.

Conversely you can have the #1 FG% defense keeping teams to 39% every night, but allow the most offensive rebounds in the league and give up +100 ppg.

The Pistons are a good defense by doing the former, and in the end its about who scores most/least.

you can do both, it is not mutually exclusive. also, I think you can judge defense by FG%.

pistontr wrote:

Todd3 wrote:We have the 5th best scoring defense and are #1 in fewest offensive rebounds allowed. Can't judge defense by FG%. If you limit a team to only 1 shot and limit their FTs, they can shoot 50% and still only score in the 90s.

Conversely you can have the #1 FG% defense keeping teams to 39% every night, but allow the most offensive rebounds in the league and give up +100 ppg.

The Pistons are a good defense by doing the former, and in the end its about who scores most/least.

you can do both, it is not mutually exclusive. also, I think you can judge defense by FG%.

Sure you can do both, but you don't have to to be a good defense. That was my point.

A defensive possession isn't complete until you get the rebound. So if you just judge by FG%, you could be led to believe a team allowing 35% FG is playing good defense, but if the offense is tipping back in all the misses then they are still scoring and its not good defense.

It's the bench. Our starters are pretty good at defense. I believe in that. Drummond NEVER shows up on the pick and roll. I think he's shortening his game and that's why he's gotten better. He's giving the guard the shot and securing the rebound. I think the league is already exploiting that but it will get better over time because he's still getting better.

Our bench is inconsistent. But I'm happy we have talent on our starting lineup. It's a major turnover from last season and it's pretty incredible. Almost every game is winnable so far this season and it's nice to see. Pistons aren't blowing big leads like they used to. They did that to the Wizards but we also blew their lead as well. It's a give and take, growth. That's what I see.

We will win 40-45 this season and it will be frustrating to watch. Don't expect anymore unless Jennings comes back firing and getting our bench involved in ways our other guards haven't.

Spider156 wrote:It's the bench. Our starters are pretty good at defense. I believe in that. Drummond NEVER shows up on the pick and roll. I think he's shortening his game and that's why he's gotten better. He's giving the guard the shot and securing the rebound. I think the league is already exploiting that but it will get better over time because he's still getting better.

Our bench is inconsistent. But I'm happy we have talent on our starting lineup. It's a major turnover from last season and it's pretty incredible. Almost every game is winnable so far this season and it's nice to see. Pistons aren't blowing big leads like they used to. They did that to the Wizards but we also blew their lead as well. It's a give and take, growth. That's what I see.

We will win 40-45 this season and it will be frustrating to watch. Don't expect anymore unless Jennings comes back firing and getting our bench involved in ways our other guards haven't.

I think that is by design with Drummond in the p&r. Stan said before the season the plan was to have the 5 stay back and protect the rim, and just have the guard do the best he can to go over the pick and contest the midrange jumpshot. Rather than have Dre show and then both he and Reggie get beat off the dribble and give up layups like last year. They are basically conceding the midrange pull-up instead- being the lowest % shot.

I agree on the win projection and ~.500 teams are always frustrating, but equally enjoyable too as it means we still win half of them. Going from lotto to .500 is a necessary part of the rebuilding process though. As long as we win at least 42 and have a winning season and make the playoffs I'll be happy with this year. Then we upgrade talent and add depth in the offseason and try for 50 wins and a series win next year.

Todd3 wrote:We have the 5th best scoring defense and are #1 in fewest offensive rebounds allowed. Can't judge defense by FG%. If you limit a team to only 1 shot and limit their FTs, they can shoot 50% and still only score in the 90s.

Conversely you can have the #1 FG% defense keeping teams to 39% every night, but allow the most offensive rebounds in the league and give up +100 ppg.

The Pistons are a good defense by doing the former, and in the end its about who scores most/least.

Now we are 25th in Opponent Field Goal Percentage: 46%

I'm shooting for just above .500 when JEnnings returns, with a continuing improvement from S JOhnson, than hopefully another bump from JEnnings return and some second continuity. Hopefully we fall between 46-50 wins. BUt our record may hold us back to who we are. It,s so early and were wearing our starters out, but I think we are setup to be a solid playoff team.

Now, we are leader in Field Goals Attempted Per Game Differential

We have the worst TS% in the league. That should be all that you need to know in terms of offense and how we're generating points.

Hint: We're not. We just run high predictable PnRs while underutilizing Dre.

DBC10 wrote:We have the worst TS% in the league. That should be all that you need to know in terms of offense and how we're generating points.

Hint: We're not. We just run high predictable PnRs while underutilizing Dre.

high PnRs, only RJ benefits them. he gets his floaters and drives. he barely pass or dish the ball in this predictable PnRs.


WE NEED A POINT GUARD.

This is just dumb. We have a PG. He's not elite (Curry, Westbrook, Paul) but he's above average. The problem is the lack of play making and shooting from the other players. If you look at when Stan's system has been most effective he's had at least 2 playmakers on his team.

03-04 Heat: Wade, Odom and Eddie Jones
04-05 Heat: Wade, Shaq and Jones
08-09 Magic: Howard, Hedo and Nelson
09-10 Magic: Howard, Vince Carter and Nelson

Right now the only guys that can create is Reggie. Dre is improving in the post but he's not where Howard was in his years under SVG. We don't have an Odom or a Jones. We don't have a Hedo or a Vince Carter. We just have Reggie. If the players that are straight up given open looks would actually make them the offense would run smoother but we have a bunch of guys that can't make shots. We don't have anyone that can take the playmaking pressure off Reggie. We are set at the 1 and the 5 it's the other positions that need upgrading. We have exactly one guy (Ersan) at the 2,3 or 4 that is shooting over 40% on the season. Reggie is our only guard over 40%. Reggie has had some really bad games and he's had some really good games. He needs to play smarter BUT if we fail to get any production outside of he and Dre on a consistent basis the games are going to be ugly and unpredictable.

JD43320 wrote:This is just dumb. We have a PG. He's not elite (Curry, Westbrook, Paul) but he's above average. The problem is the lack of play making and shooting from the other players. If you look at when Stan's system has been most effective he's had at least 2 playmakers on his team.

03-04 Heat: Wade, Odom and Eddie Jones
04-05 Heat: Wade, Shaq and Jones
08-09 Magic: Howard, Hedo and Nelson
09-10 Magic: Howard, Vince Carter and Nelson

Right now the only guys that can create is Reggie. Dre is improving in the post but he's not where Howard was in his years under SVG. We don't have an Odom or a Jones. We don't have a Hedo or a Vince Carter. We just have Reggie. If the players that are straight up given open looks would actually make them the offense would run smoother but we have a bunch of guys that can't make shots. We don't have anyone that can take the playmaking pressure off Reggie. We are set at the 1 and the 5 it's the other positions that need upgrading. We have exactly one guy (Ersan) at the 2,3 or 4 that is shooting over 40% on the season. Reggie is our only guard over 40%. Reggie has had some really bad games and he's had some really good games. He needs to play smarter BUT if we fail to get any production outside of he and Dre on a consistent basis the games are going to be ugly and unpredictable.

On spot! You got it. I've been saying this for a while now. Stanley needs to start and it's because he can make plays. I'd rather have jennings and morris coming off the bench with Stanley starting next to Reggie. The guy can get to the line and his shot falling will only make more space for him and others. Two spot up shooters, KCP and Ersan. The starting lineup needs two playmakers and it just matters than Stanley needs to start. Either Ersan or Morris can start at PF. It's a simple but like we all know, SVG's biggest flaw is his stubbornness. He'll let Jennings and Stanley play together before changing the starting lineup and we won't see a change unless we go way under 500 or the stats prove Stanley is better starting. We'll see what happens.

Our point guard is really good but inconsistent. Why? He's our only playmaker with the exception of the rookie Stanley Johnson. If you can get to the line, you can make plays. When Jennings comes back we'll see Jackson play better since the pressure will get off of him a little bit and the ball will move more for the bench. I don't care if he takes the step back mid range and miss, I'll take that instead of the garbage Blake and Dinwiddie are playing. Any form of dribble penetration and kick out is better than the garbage that is our bench. Our guys can shoot, they need a rhythm and a passer.

This team isn't good nor is it bad. It's a 500 team until further notice (Jennings). I'm talking about him as if he's going to come back and "save us." No. I'm not delusional. In fact he's likely to come back rusty and slow. NOT SLOWER THAN BLAKE!!!!! And that's the point Enough for me to be happy with however he comes back.

this stats are same in december, no improvement on defense. we still win because of offensive rebounds.

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/_/stat/defense-per-game/sort/threePointFieldGoalPctOpponent

we are below avarage in perimeter defense too, so maybe kcp should not be a sacred cow? Hollis thompson is 39.5% career 3-point shooter and ESPN scout report says "Thompson is probably Philadelphia's best individual wing defender. A lanky 6-foot-8, Thompson has good size for a shooting guard, though he's a bit on the slight side to defend bigger small forwards. He accepts the challenge defensively and can be pesky, blocking the occasional shot. However, Thompson is a poor defensive rebounder"

we give up about a league average eFG%, which combines 2 and 3 point field goals and weighs them accordingly. we allow the fifth least 3-point attempts per game which is a big help (and partly one of the reasons we give up a higher FG%, most of their shots are closer).

bottom line, our defense is pretty good (not elite) and it's a big reason we are over .500

Yeah we definitely need a secondary playmaker ala Hedo was for the Magic during their Finals run. That's probably the biggest need and one of the primary reasons Reggie has been Jekyll and Hyde on the offensive end. He needs help running the offense instead of us stagnating with predictable High PnRs and ending it there.