ShootingtheJ wrote:Profound23 wrote:Marcus Smart has been more impactful for the Wiz than any other newly acquired player WHEN HE PLAYS.
Every time I watch him, Smart looks like a lockdown defender again and scores 15-17 points. Of course then he usually misses a few games in a row after that. Maybe it's because he's playing too well and they're tanking.
Middleton has been twice as impactful. They have a winning record when Mids plays, and are one of the worst teams of all time when he doesn't.
Middleton's last 6 games played :
vs Orlando 9pts on 3/13 shooting, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers (+/- of -
25)
vs Portland 4pts, 2/3 shooting, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 turnovers (+/- of -5)
vs Nuggets 10 pts, 4/10 shooting, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal (+/- of -6)
vs Pistons 16 pts, 6/13 shooting, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover (+/- of +2)
vs Pistons 8 pts, 3/9 shooting, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 2 turnovers (+/- of
-18)
vs Raptors 12 pts, 4/9 shooting, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers (+/- of +7)
0 blocks in any of these games
Marcus Smart last 6 games played:
vs Knicks 17 pts, 6/11 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers (+/- of +3)
vs Jazz 0 pts, 0/6 shooting, 0 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover (+/- of
-11)
vs Pistons 15 pts, 5/13 shooting, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover (+/- of -7)
vs Pistons 16 pts, 6/10 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover (+/- of +3)
vs Raptors 9 pts, 2/7 shooting, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers (+/- of +2)
vs Jazz 13 pts, 4/9 shooting, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers (+/- of -5)
Stats are pretty close but I would lean toward Smart being more impactful. Also, if you watch the games Smart was usually guarding the other team's best (or fastest) players while Middleton guards the slowest player. So while Smart is switching between Cade Cunningham and Michael Beasley, Middleton is getting beat by Tobias Harris. Or while Smart is switching between Jamaal Murray and Westbrook, Middleton is guarding MPJ or Nnaji. Saying either player is "twice as impactful" as the other just shows bias because either way it is close. The wins aren't "thanks to Middleton." Last win was against Nuggets and that's because Sarr abused Jokic on defense along with George and Champagnie (13 rebounds) stepping it up. Win before that versus the Pistons, Cade was lighting them up but Smart got some stops on him and Beasley late which helped with the victory. Two other wins were against two of the worst teams in the NBA (Raptors and Jazz) one of which Jordan Poole couldn't miss a shot. I feel like some of you don't even watch these games and just like to cherry pick to glorify Middleton who has missed 3/8 games. Neither Smart or Middleton can stay healthy which is why they both were practically given to Washington.