mpharris36 wrote:Knickstape1214 wrote:mpharris36 wrote:
i see some. A young t-mac. Violently attacking the rim...not afraid of contact, gets the FT alot. Amazing in transition. Can make some nice passes when dialed in on distributing.
When I think of T-mac I see that 25-5-5 type game...I see a similar stat line for Barrett.
T-Mac was a MUCH better passer, much more athletic, have a much better jumper and shot versatility, was a better defender at a younger age, and got to the rim way differently - RJ bullies players who are smaller, which is something he won't be able to do as well in the NBA. He bulldozes people, doesn't attack athletically.
He's a solid, not great, playmaker. T-Mac was a legitimately great passer/playmaker with fantastic vision. RJ doesn't have T-Mac's vision, or willingness to pass (which I know is odd considering McGrady's shooting numbers, but it's true). They literally have nothing in common.
Also, his FTr is .319...which, last I checked, is below average.
I think you are extra harsh on barrett so I'll just agree to disagree. Mcgrady was a much smoother athlete and had a much better mid range game. But they both have shacky outside shots. Mcgrady was never a good 3 point shooter.
Both get the FT line a ton. Barrett does have more tunnel vision but Mcgrady was a 5 assist guy in his prime...something I see Barrett having as well. So lets not go down the road calling mcgrady steve nash or jason kidd vision. Mcgrady had good vision for a scoring guard/wing...which he was still a scoring guard or wing.
Barrett needs time to develop like any 18 year old does.
I'm harder on him because the hype warrants it and because he doesn't live up to what people think he is. There is a major perception issue that appears to have been corrected a bit since the season began. McGrady was a streaky outside shooter, but he was a MUCH better shooter than Barrett. McGrady was around league average during his peak on WELL above average volume. He also took an insane amount of off the dribble jumpers, which Barrett cannot do now well (and likely will not be able to replicate anywhere near T-Mac's success due to his form). The first available entry on Synergy has T-Mac in the 78th percentile off the dribble, 69th on C&S (42.1%, adjusted 50.3% because of threes), and 78th overall on jumpers. On the volume he had, those are elite numbers. In 06-07,his next relatively healthy year, 68th percentile on jumpers, 87th (!!) on C&S, and 67th on off dribble jumpers. I'd be shocked if Barrett got to 34% on the volume T-Mac took, unless he's moved to strictly off ball from three...which isn't happening. Again, RJ will likely never be a good off the ball shooter.
Again, Barrett's FTr is below average. T-Mac got to the line at a higher rate, especially throughout his prime. He got there because he had the quickness to blow by guys, Barrett doesn't - he uses strength, which will be evened out against...stronger players. What hurts RJ even more, in addition to the lack of burst / athleticism, is he is a very stiff athlete. In addition to the athletic differences, there is a
major length discrepancy as well.
T-Mac HAD to be a scorer. I thought this was common knowledge? JVG and Doc both said in the past they wanted and NEEDED T-Mac to be selfish, but he was a reluctant scorer. The teams he had around him, besides in Houston (but even those lacked perimeter creators/scorers) forced him to take a massive load in scoring the ball. That's not on him and shouldn't be used to diminish his HIGH level playmaking skills. RJ doesn't have the point-forward mentality that T-Mac had, or wanted to have, and doesn't have the vision or playmaking. McGrady's vision was elite for an off guard, and still damn good for a lead one. This really isn't a discussion or something you agree to disagree on...it just is. T-Mac was a special player whose career was cut short, in addition to being stuck on teams that didn't have him in a proper role. That's not on him.
That is just a very poor comparison...from playing style, to talent and traits, they have nothing in common. You want another comp (all comps are crap, but in terms of skillset this actually works a bit)? Harrison Barnes x Demar Derozan x Shabazz Muhammad. Barnes' and Demar's stiff athleticism (RJ plays upright as hell) and lack of wiggle, Bazz's strength attacking, DD's shaky outside shot, Bazz's lack of shot versatility, but better playmaking.
Anyways, yeah, he's a volume shooter who can pass when he wants to. On the flip side, he's inefficient, takes some horrible shots, has that Kobe "I need to do this all by myself" attitude, doesn't project as having basically any shot versatility because of form + setup + Release, and is a super stiff athlete who does
not get to the rim well - .315 FTr is nothing to call home about.
I will end on this - the ability to shoot off the dribble jumpers is what separates the good players from the great ones. That is why myself, and front office execs + media guys, have a healthy Garland ranked higher than Morant. (No, I will not say who I have been talking to.) I'm bowing out and going back to the college thread. We can continue that there, but this thread deserves none of my posting when I'm guessing those who voted have seen very little college.
Edit -- you're better than this, MP. I also apologize, because this was me unloading on you (after being fed up, generally speaking) and you absolutely did not deserve this.
And I'm a HUGE fan of RJ. He has better Defense potential than T-Mac tho IMO.
