Grading the Nets, 1/2 way point
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:01 pm
Avery Johnson: F 'Triple' -
14-14, November coach of the month.
Fired after winning coach of the month. "we battled" 'nuff said.
P.J. Carlesemo: A
12-2
I know he hasnt changed too much, and isnt an elite coach, but bottom line is we are 12-2 under him, We are 1-0 against the knicks against him, and have also beat the pacers, hawks, and thunder. He hasnt made a ton of changes but the ones he has have been much needed: No dwill/Watson pairing, more pick and roll with brook, more mirza, more flex, more accountability. couldnt really have asked for much more in an interim situation.
Deron Williams: C+
16.9 ppg, 7.8 apg, 53.4 TS 18.0 PER, 86.2 FT%
He has really struggled with his shot, with getting to the hoop, and recently with defense. But overall he has really played well despite being injured. Under PJ his play has really improved, and he has done all the right things while struggling. Puts all the blame on himself, demands better play, brushes off any all-star talk. and most importantly, it hasnt been about him offensively. he has been instrumental in making sure brook, JJ and everyone else have enough shots. Their may have been an adjustment period, but there was never an issue of someone not getting the ball enough. Could give deron a C, he still needs to lead more and pout less, but his unselfishness and recent push on the court bumps him up a bit. hopefully he really turns it on in the second half. C might seem low for the impact he has, but I can't dismiss the level of play he is capable of when grading him.
Joe Johnson: B
16.3 ppg, 3.2 ast, 52.8 TS, 14.7 PER, 38.8 3pt%, 3 Game winning shots(2 buzzer beaters)
Was going to give him a half grade or so lower, but his play late in games bumps him up a bit. Even when he struggled immensely with his shot early on, they were good shots. He was still getting to all the right spots on the floor. Not sure if it was an early slump, pressure, or getting used to a new role/team, but eventually the shots started falling and since then he has been an instrumental part of the teams success. He has been unreal late in games and no question the guy we go to in the 4th when we need buckets. His defense has also been solid and like Williams, he has been very unselfish when it comes to offense.
Gerald Wallace: B-
10.8 pts., 6.3 rebs, 3.2 asst, 1.5 stls, 13.7 PER, 34.1% 3pt%
Wallace has been really solid as far as the things he brings to the court. He doesn't look to score unless its in transition, and open 3(which he has knocked down with good consistency despite the criticism he has gotten this year for his outside shooting), or backing down a much smaller defender in a mismatch. He has been a super hustle glue guy for this team. That said, points need to be deducted for him playing average but not good one on one defense and playing good but not great team defense. A lot of that may be him insisting on playing through injury, but even if that is the case his proneness to getting hurt is also a knock on him. He certainly hasn't been as bad as everyone has been making out lately(it isnt his fault king gave up a kings ransom to get him).
Reggie Evans: B-
9.0 rebs, 24.15 TRB%, 49.4 FG%, DRtg 100
Reggie is the toughest guy on the team to grade. If he was playing 12-20 minutes per game, coming off the bench, he would get an 'A' easily. But, he is currently starting, to no fault of his own. He has no business starting. But, i have to consider that when grading him. And even still, he gets a very solid grade in my book. First in the league in rebounding percentage, rebounds PER36, or any other metric you want to use for it. He leads the team in defensive rating, and knows his weaknesses(doenst shoot unless its an open layup or late in the clock). He even often passes up a layup attempt to get it back out to reset the offense. When he was coming off the bench early he was a huge spark, getting a ton of second chances, frustrating opponents, and playing great. He also has helped lopez, by being tough on him and beating him up in practice.
Brook Lopez: A
18.5 ppg, 7.4 rebs, 25.77 PER, 56 TS
Brook has been outstanding the first half of this season and our best player to this point. 4th in the NBA in PER is nothing to brush off. Coming off injury he hasnt missed a beat. He has been dominant at times, improved his rebounding, and improved his defense. He still needs to play stronger at times, and his PnR defense needs work still. That said he is an offensive force. We can go to him any time for an easy bucket. He leads the league in points in the paint and has been getting opponents in foul trouble often as well. He is the biggest reason we are were we are right now. and at 24, he could be scary good in a few years once he bulks up more.
Kris Humphries: C-
Like Evans, humphries role changed mid season... while that shouldnt be a positive for him, he hasnt played awful and has been accepting of his new role. He has provided quite a bit of energy off the bench but it has been far too inconsistent. that said so have his minutes, which may be part of the issue. Really not much to say with humphries, everyone is waiting for the inevitable trade. if it doesnt happen this year i expect his play to improve a bit.
Keith Bogans: C
Bogans has been ok at times off the bench, but really has been way too inconsistent to really get a high grade as the first wing off the bench. His overall 3 point shooting isnt bad, but it has really been way too hot and cold. Defensively it has been the same thing. he has given us games and stretches were he has really bared down defensively and times where he hasnt looked so good. Needs to step up the consistency a bit.
C.J. Watson: C+
Watson has done a decent job as a reserve. Defensively he has really competed for us. He has shot-jacked a bit too much lately for my liking but he has come in, knocked down 3's at a high rate and has hit them in pretty big spots when we needed them. I think he suffered early playing in lineups next to deron. I like him much better playing with Joe Johnson on the floor and he has really improved a bit since PJ made that change permanent. Would still like to see him finish more consistently at the rim and hit more of those 18 foot pull ups.
Marshon Brooks: C-
His performance may deserve a D grade, but he really hasnt had any kind of consistent minutes or confidence this season. Some of that is on avery, but i think the majority of it is marshon just not showing any improvement in practice on the things he needs to do to be a passable team basketball player. He has been unreal in transition, and at the end of quarters with under 4 seconds left when we need to go the full court distance. In the half court its just too much good one second awful the next. For every tough jumper he hits or great pass he makes there is are 2 bad shots after dribbling the air out of the ball or a low iq play that leads to a transition chance for the opponent. defensively he has been lost, again a lot of that is just not get reps... which probably comes back to him not getting it done in practice. He really needs to find his niche(be agrresive in transition, be smart in the half court, be smart defensively)
Jerry Stackhouse: D+
I'd give stackhouse an F, but he hit 5 threes in the first game to help beat the knicks... and he is also a player coach to inexcusably(less under PJ) plays double digit minutes. I think PJ has and will correct this giving him the correct 5 mpg every thrid game or so or when needed due to injuries. He is much more helpful to us in street clothes.
Andray Blatche: C+
Another guy that is tough to grade. For heart, hustle, turning things around after coming from a horrible situation, and have long stretches where he plays very efficient, he gets an A. On the flip side there are just so many moments where he dribbles way to much, too far away, and takes a horrible fade away shot. way too many low iq plays, way to many turnovers, way to many careless plays in key situations, and the whole sexual assualt thing with one of his buddies. average it out and its a 'C' but giving him the extra grade up because he is one of the few guys who has shown heart and hustle every second he has been on the court the entire season. Like brook i thin dray would really benefit from an elite coach who demands respect. take away the flaws from andrays game and he could be a supersub, or even a solid starter.
Mirza Teletovic: Incomplete
Just not enough minutes and court time to really fairly grade mirza. You cant judge him by the awful minutes he had early under avery in his first ever NBA action. you also cant accurately grade him on a 2.5 game stretch where he couldnt miss. last action we saw him he was cold from the field. I think mirza will be a really good player and a big contributor for us down the stretch, its just really tough to get him consistent minutes with hump on the team and evans playing well.
Tyshon Taylor: Incomplete
Hasnt really gotten much burn other then scrub minutes. really nothing to evaluate with him.
14-14, November coach of the month.
Fired after winning coach of the month. "we battled" 'nuff said.
P.J. Carlesemo: A
12-2
I know he hasnt changed too much, and isnt an elite coach, but bottom line is we are 12-2 under him, We are 1-0 against the knicks against him, and have also beat the pacers, hawks, and thunder. He hasnt made a ton of changes but the ones he has have been much needed: No dwill/Watson pairing, more pick and roll with brook, more mirza, more flex, more accountability. couldnt really have asked for much more in an interim situation.
Deron Williams: C+
16.9 ppg, 7.8 apg, 53.4 TS 18.0 PER, 86.2 FT%
He has really struggled with his shot, with getting to the hoop, and recently with defense. But overall he has really played well despite being injured. Under PJ his play has really improved, and he has done all the right things while struggling. Puts all the blame on himself, demands better play, brushes off any all-star talk. and most importantly, it hasnt been about him offensively. he has been instrumental in making sure brook, JJ and everyone else have enough shots. Their may have been an adjustment period, but there was never an issue of someone not getting the ball enough. Could give deron a C, he still needs to lead more and pout less, but his unselfishness and recent push on the court bumps him up a bit. hopefully he really turns it on in the second half. C might seem low for the impact he has, but I can't dismiss the level of play he is capable of when grading him.
Joe Johnson: B
16.3 ppg, 3.2 ast, 52.8 TS, 14.7 PER, 38.8 3pt%, 3 Game winning shots(2 buzzer beaters)
Was going to give him a half grade or so lower, but his play late in games bumps him up a bit. Even when he struggled immensely with his shot early on, they were good shots. He was still getting to all the right spots on the floor. Not sure if it was an early slump, pressure, or getting used to a new role/team, but eventually the shots started falling and since then he has been an instrumental part of the teams success. He has been unreal late in games and no question the guy we go to in the 4th when we need buckets. His defense has also been solid and like Williams, he has been very unselfish when it comes to offense.
Gerald Wallace: B-
10.8 pts., 6.3 rebs, 3.2 asst, 1.5 stls, 13.7 PER, 34.1% 3pt%
Wallace has been really solid as far as the things he brings to the court. He doesn't look to score unless its in transition, and open 3(which he has knocked down with good consistency despite the criticism he has gotten this year for his outside shooting), or backing down a much smaller defender in a mismatch. He has been a super hustle glue guy for this team. That said, points need to be deducted for him playing average but not good one on one defense and playing good but not great team defense. A lot of that may be him insisting on playing through injury, but even if that is the case his proneness to getting hurt is also a knock on him. He certainly hasn't been as bad as everyone has been making out lately(it isnt his fault king gave up a kings ransom to get him).
Reggie Evans: B-
9.0 rebs, 24.15 TRB%, 49.4 FG%, DRtg 100
Reggie is the toughest guy on the team to grade. If he was playing 12-20 minutes per game, coming off the bench, he would get an 'A' easily. But, he is currently starting, to no fault of his own. He has no business starting. But, i have to consider that when grading him. And even still, he gets a very solid grade in my book. First in the league in rebounding percentage, rebounds PER36, or any other metric you want to use for it. He leads the team in defensive rating, and knows his weaknesses(doenst shoot unless its an open layup or late in the clock). He even often passes up a layup attempt to get it back out to reset the offense. When he was coming off the bench early he was a huge spark, getting a ton of second chances, frustrating opponents, and playing great. He also has helped lopez, by being tough on him and beating him up in practice.
Brook Lopez: A
18.5 ppg, 7.4 rebs, 25.77 PER, 56 TS
Brook has been outstanding the first half of this season and our best player to this point. 4th in the NBA in PER is nothing to brush off. Coming off injury he hasnt missed a beat. He has been dominant at times, improved his rebounding, and improved his defense. He still needs to play stronger at times, and his PnR defense needs work still. That said he is an offensive force. We can go to him any time for an easy bucket. He leads the league in points in the paint and has been getting opponents in foul trouble often as well. He is the biggest reason we are were we are right now. and at 24, he could be scary good in a few years once he bulks up more.
Kris Humphries: C-
Like Evans, humphries role changed mid season... while that shouldnt be a positive for him, he hasnt played awful and has been accepting of his new role. He has provided quite a bit of energy off the bench but it has been far too inconsistent. that said so have his minutes, which may be part of the issue. Really not much to say with humphries, everyone is waiting for the inevitable trade. if it doesnt happen this year i expect his play to improve a bit.
Keith Bogans: C
Bogans has been ok at times off the bench, but really has been way too inconsistent to really get a high grade as the first wing off the bench. His overall 3 point shooting isnt bad, but it has really been way too hot and cold. Defensively it has been the same thing. he has given us games and stretches were he has really bared down defensively and times where he hasnt looked so good. Needs to step up the consistency a bit.
C.J. Watson: C+
Watson has done a decent job as a reserve. Defensively he has really competed for us. He has shot-jacked a bit too much lately for my liking but he has come in, knocked down 3's at a high rate and has hit them in pretty big spots when we needed them. I think he suffered early playing in lineups next to deron. I like him much better playing with Joe Johnson on the floor and he has really improved a bit since PJ made that change permanent. Would still like to see him finish more consistently at the rim and hit more of those 18 foot pull ups.
Marshon Brooks: C-
His performance may deserve a D grade, but he really hasnt had any kind of consistent minutes or confidence this season. Some of that is on avery, but i think the majority of it is marshon just not showing any improvement in practice on the things he needs to do to be a passable team basketball player. He has been unreal in transition, and at the end of quarters with under 4 seconds left when we need to go the full court distance. In the half court its just too much good one second awful the next. For every tough jumper he hits or great pass he makes there is are 2 bad shots after dribbling the air out of the ball or a low iq play that leads to a transition chance for the opponent. defensively he has been lost, again a lot of that is just not get reps... which probably comes back to him not getting it done in practice. He really needs to find his niche(be agrresive in transition, be smart in the half court, be smart defensively)
Jerry Stackhouse: D+
I'd give stackhouse an F, but he hit 5 threes in the first game to help beat the knicks... and he is also a player coach to inexcusably(less under PJ) plays double digit minutes. I think PJ has and will correct this giving him the correct 5 mpg every thrid game or so or when needed due to injuries. He is much more helpful to us in street clothes.
Andray Blatche: C+
Another guy that is tough to grade. For heart, hustle, turning things around after coming from a horrible situation, and have long stretches where he plays very efficient, he gets an A. On the flip side there are just so many moments where he dribbles way to much, too far away, and takes a horrible fade away shot. way too many low iq plays, way to many turnovers, way to many careless plays in key situations, and the whole sexual assualt thing with one of his buddies. average it out and its a 'C' but giving him the extra grade up because he is one of the few guys who has shown heart and hustle every second he has been on the court the entire season. Like brook i thin dray would really benefit from an elite coach who demands respect. take away the flaws from andrays game and he could be a supersub, or even a solid starter.
Mirza Teletovic: Incomplete
Just not enough minutes and court time to really fairly grade mirza. You cant judge him by the awful minutes he had early under avery in his first ever NBA action. you also cant accurately grade him on a 2.5 game stretch where he couldnt miss. last action we saw him he was cold from the field. I think mirza will be a really good player and a big contributor for us down the stretch, its just really tough to get him consistent minutes with hump on the team and evans playing well.
Tyshon Taylor: Incomplete
Hasnt really gotten much burn other then scrub minutes. really nothing to evaluate with him.