Otto Porter

[DCZards]

Otto actually ran and jumped better at the combine than Leonard did. His athleticism is undersold and you really see it now that he's in the NBA in how he beats everyone down the floor and plays above the rim.

I have similar thoughts about Otto's athleticism, especially the part about it being undersold (or underrated). I think this is a case where many of us have been convinced that he's not very athletic simply because that's been the narrative here and it keeps getting said over and over again. What's deceptive about Otto is that he's gangly with a thin frame and not a lot of muscle definition at this point. That's an image that often screams "unathletic."

[tontoz]

Otto actually ran and jumped better at the combine than Leonard did. His athleticism is undersold and you really see it now that he's in the NBA in how he beats everyone down the floor and plays above the rim.

Porter's sprint time of 3.4 was the same as Steven Adams. Leonard's sprint time was 3.15. The fastest sprint recorded in Leonard's draft class was 3.02.

[nuposse04]

I don't think athletic measurable always translate over. Porter measures out above average athletically in a good amount of facets but his game is still more predicated on skill. Take standing vertical for instance, how many times in a basketball game do you really have the time to really gather yourself and go up strong? Same for max. The physical measurable are all the same but some of the dynamic metrics are subjective cause they are taken in a vacuum. Take Cody Zeller for example, helluva combine. He hasn't exactly been Blake Griffin since entering the league.

Now obviously guys will get stronger and maybe some of their athleticism will begin to show more readily in games but I think you still need the "eye" test.

[The Consiglieri]

My memory is that at the time the view on Porter, and for that matter Cody Zeller, was that the athleticism numbers were not reflected in how they actually played on the court, that like a lot of guys in recent years, they did a nice job of training to test well, but that you don't see that athleticism in their play on the court. Take it for what it's worth, but that's my memory of the story on the numbers.

If he can continue to improve I'll be happy that he's not a bust, but remain unhappy that we fumbled away Noel, still, again, better than a bust. He just needs regular playing time, and a coach whose not a complete cliche'd vet only hack.

[Wizardspride]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BenStandig/status/585884124444917760[/tweet]

[Dat2U]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BenStandig/status/585884124444917760[/tweet]

I dunno, looking at my hands and analyzying it 11 different ways, I think we should give Martell a fair shot to get back to where he was 2 years ago because that's really good player. Otto isn't the shooter Martell is. No need to rush for Otto, his time can come next season once he gets stronger.

[tontoz]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BenStandig/status/585884124444917760[/tweet]

Not surprising. Off the ball movement and court awareness matter. They just don't generate much draft buzz.

[hands11]

In case people didn't notice..

Otto passed Pierce in RPM

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM/position/5

I hope they start Wall, Beal, Otto, Gooden and Gortat

It was great to get PP back last game and he played great, but Otto didn't do as well off the bench. He just seems to play better with the starters and Gooden instead of Nene.

[J-Ves]

In case people didn't notice..

Otto passed Pierce in RPM

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM/position/5

I hope they start Wall, Beal, Otto, Gooden and Gortat

It was great to get PP back last game and he played great, but Otto didn't do as well off the bench. He just seems to play better with the starters and Gooden instead of Nene.

I'm not a fan of that lineup vs the Bulls if we happen to play them in the playoffs, but its the lineup I hope they use next year. You then can bring in Nene and Hump as the back up bigs, cutting out KS entirely. Pierce is a great guy to bring of the bench too, as he can create for himself as well as stretch the floor. They still need to find a backup two that can shoot as Webster is no longer a NBA quality player and Butler is more of a SF.

[Ruzious]

My memory is that at the time the view on Porter, and for that matter Cody Zeller, was that the athleticism numbers were not reflected in how they actually played on the court, that like a lot of guys in recent years, they did a nice job of training to test well, but that you don't see that athleticism in their play on the court. Take it for what it's worth, but that's my memory of the story on the numbers.

I thought it was a bit ridiculous that people criticized Zeller for having the audacity to actually prepare for the tests.

Still do.

[Ruzious]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BenStandig/status/585884124444917760[/tweet]

I dunno, looking at my hands and analyzying it 11 different ways, I think we should give Martell a fair shot to get back to where he was 2 years ago because that's really good player. Otto isn't the shooter Martell is. No need to rush for Otto, his time can come next season once he gets stronger.

As my 12 year old niece would say: Um... eww.

[Ruzious]

Otto actually ran and jumped better at the combine than Leonard did. His athleticism is undersold and you really see it now that he's in the NBA in how he beats everyone down the floor and plays above the rim.

Porter's sprint time of 3.4 was the same as Steven Adams. Leonard's sprint time was 3.15. The fastest sprint recorded in Leonard's draft class was 3.02.

Btw, it's no shame to be tied with Adams. For a huge guy, he's amazingly fast at getting up and down court - maybe the fastest big in the NBA.

[hands11]

In case people didn't notice..

Otto passed Pierce in RPM

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM/position/5

I hope they start Wall, Beal, Otto, Gooden and Gortat

It was great to get PP back last game and he played great, but Otto didn't do as well off the bench. He just seems to play better with the starters and Gooden instead of Nene.

I'm not a fan of that lineup vs the Bulls if we happen to play them in the playoffs, but its the lineup I hope they use next year. You then can bring in Nene and Hump as the back up bigs, cutting out KS entirely. Pierce is a great guy to bring of the bench too, as he can create for himself as well as stretch the floor. They still need to find a backup two that can shoot as Webster is no longer a NBA quality player and Butler is more of a SF.

I agree. Its less clear to me that its best against CHI but then again, not sure I have seen it against them. I wouldn't mind them trying it. You can always bring in Nene quickly off the bench if needed.

The important thing is for Randy to get it. And change rotations when needed and understand why it works instead of being so Paint by Numbers about his rotations and forcing Nene into the game. He needs to be nimble.

As for Kevin. Kevin can be effective when you have him in the right line ups. Much like most players. Most players are not John Wall. And, even Wall is more effective when he has the right players out there with him. Thats the whole point of putting Gooden out there to begin with.

Hump, Kevin, Nene... None of them should be used just because. It depends on match ups and line ups.

As for back up 2. Sure. A better upgrade to Rasual would be nice. But they can work around that with what they have. Beal will play 38 mins. You are only looking at 10 min to fill in and Rasual, Temp, Otto and Sessions can fill that in.

You start Temple if you can to slow down their SG. Let Wall and Gortat be the core of the offense. Let Temple defend for 5 mins. Then bring in Beal. Use Temple, Rasual, Otto in shorter burst throughout the game to give Beal a breather. Hell, you can even go Wall and Sessions. That has worked. I wouldn't start with that but you can turn to it at some point in the game if the defense is defending strong and you need ball handing.

So I don't back up SG as a big issue. Its really the coaching that's the issues. A good coach would line them up and rotate through without a problem. I mean come on. Beal for 38 mins and all you have to work through is 10 mins and you have Session, Temple, Rasual and Otto that can give that to you. That shouldn't be an issue. Not if Beal is balln.

The much bigger issue is team speed, balanced lines up and rotations. Its floor spacing. Playing the team old and slow.

ITS NENE and PP out there with Wall, Beal and Gortat.

Its turning to crappy 2nd units with Hump and Kevin in the post with Session, Rasual. Its Nene clogging the floor for Gortat and Wall, and holding the ball and missing free throws in the starting line up. It benching Gortat down the stretch.

That's the much bigger issue.

[hands11]

My memory is that at the time the view on Porter, and for that matter Cody Zeller, was that the athleticism numbers were not reflected in how they actually played on the court, that like a lot of guys in recent years, they did a nice job of training to test well, but that you don't see that athleticism in their play on the court. Take it for what it's worth, but that's my memory of the story on the numbers.

I thought it was a bit ridiculous that people criticized Zeller for having the audacity to actually prepare for the tests.

Still do.

I don't see Otto's athleticism as an issue. He is plenty athletic and I expect with more training he will get better.

Dude is scrappy around the boards. He run well on the break. He can jump fine and alley opp finish or steal for fast break dunks. He can contort his body to get off shots at weird angles. He can chase down rebounds in space and even at the rim. He is long. The combination of his length and athleticism works more then fine.

Its not an issue in my book. He just needs to get stronger and learn to us it.

The one main thing I want to see him add that will make the biggest different is the two dribble drive for a dunk. That's where the strength, experience and aggressiveness improvement will come in. Otto can get there. That a move that you get from legit SFs.

[tontoz]

Otto actually ran and jumped better at the combine than Leonard did. His athleticism is undersold and you really see it now that he's in the NBA in how he beats everyone down the floor and plays above the rim.

Porter's sprint time of 3.4 was the same as Steven Adams. Leonard's sprint time was 3.15. The fastest sprint recorded in Leonard's draft class was 3.02.

Btw, it's no shame to be tied with Adams. For a huge guy, he's amazingly fast at getting up and down court - maybe the fastest big in the NBA.

For a center 3.4 is fine. Not for a wing. And 3.4 is certainly not faster than Leonards 3.15 which Steve seemed to be saying.

[Illmatic12]

Porter's sprint time of 3.4 was the same as Steven Adams. Leonard's sprint time was 3.15. The fastest sprint recorded in Leonard's draft class was 3.02.

Btw, it's no shame to be tied with Adams. For a huge guy, he's amazingly fast at getting up and down court - maybe the fastest big in the NBA.

For a center 3.4 is fine. Not for a wing. And 3.4 is certainly not faster than Leonards 3.15 which Steve seemed to be saying.

Those combine numbers mean nothing in game situations. Often times they only indicate who practiced the combine drills more than others beforehand.

If there was a loose ball on the floor, Otto is getting to that ball before Steven Adams.

[tontoz]

Those combine numbers mean nothing in game situations. Often times they only indicate who practiced the combine drills more than others beforehand.

If there was a loose ball on the floor, Otto is getting to that ball before Steven Adams.

But in a fast break situation he will be lagging behind most wings. He wasn't fast in the sprint isn't fast on the court. A sprint is a sprint. It isn't like the lane agility test that requires some thought and practice to get your best time.

Porter has good skills and a good bbiq but his lack of speed/quickness is a problem, especially on D where you have to react to the other players moves.

[Illmatic12]

Those combine numbers mean nothing in game situations. Often times they only indicate who practiced the combine drills more than others beforehand.

If there was a loose ball on the floor, Otto is getting to that ball before Steven Adams.

But in a fast break situation he will be lagging behind most wings. He wasn't fast in the sprint isn't fast on the court.

He has good skills and a good bbiq but his lack of speed/quickness is a problem, especially on D where you have to react to the other players moves.

Well unless my eyes are deceiving me, Porter has been one of our best fastbreak finishers this season. He's not extremely athletic but it's hardly a 'problem'.. his lack of strength is more of an issue imo

[DCZards]

I hope they start Wall, Beal, Otto, Gooden and Gortat

It was great to get PP back last game and he played great, but Otto didn't do as well off the bench. He just seems to play better with the starters and Gooden instead of Nene.

I wouldn't be in favor of that starting lineup to open the playoffs. I think continuity matters a lot and plugging in two new starters at the outset of the playoffs would be a mistake, imo. I'd still start "The Truth" and just make sure Otto gets to play a lot of minutes with the starters.

You don't want to tinker around too much with the lineup and end up losing a precious playoff game that you could have won. PP still gives you the best chance of getting off to a good offensive start in games. So if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[tontoz]

Well unless my eyes are deceiving me, Porter has been one of our best fastbreak finishers this season. He's not extremely athletic but it's hardly a 'problem'.. his lack of strength is more of an issue imo

Fast breaks go both ways. In the half court Porters first step is a problem too, on both ends.

And if you actually read the post i was responding steve claimed that Porter outran Leonard at the combine which is not even remotely accurate.