DCZards wrote:nate33 wrote:DCZards wrote:
Well, at least we agree that Kieff has played well recently. Over the last 5 games, he's averaging 16 pts., over 7 rebs and is shooting 47% from 3pt range. Maybe most importantly, he's made some clutch baskets in 2 or 3 games over the past couple of weeks.
We're getting into small sample size theater though. In the last 5 games, he has made 8 of 17 3-pointers. Basically, one good game in which he hit 3 for 3 makes that whole 5-game stretch look good. If you look at the last 10 games, he has made 10 of 29 for a 3P% of .345.
Outside of his 3 point shooting, he's been the same old lackluster player. His rebounding stinks. His team defense is pretty poor. He doesn't block shots.
But, despite his shortcomings, there's no doubt that Kieff has helped the Zards win games over this last month or so where the team has mostly played well, including winning 11 in row at home. Could Kieff be a better player? Absolutely. But he hasn't been bad for a fifth offensive option among the starters.
BTW, do we give Kieff any credit for the rebounds that Gortat or another teammate gets because Kief is blocking out? Posters here used to praise Nene for that. And I noticed you didn't say anything about Kieff's man-to-man defense. Does he get credit for being good at that?
My biggest problems with Kieff are his bad fouls and lack of effort on occasion. But the fact that he's not a top PF with an all-around game doesn't mean he's not contributing to the team's recent success. And that's my one and only point.
Morris is a legitimate NBA player. It's not like he shouldn't be in the league or anything. It's just that he's really only a bench-caliber player. Ideally, he should be coming off the bench, getting 20 minutes a night.
I do agree that he is a solid man-to-man defender.
As to the boxing out thesis, I don't think we have enough data to make a determination. The team does rebound better with Morris on the floor, but that could be because Morris usually shares the court with our two best rebounders: Gortat and Porter.
Also, I think, In general, the boxing out phenomena is usually only applicable to centers. Most teams only send one player (usually the center) to crash the offensive glass. If your center can make sure he is boxed out, usually your forwards can grab the rebound. I'm not sure that simply being able to box out one's own man is sufficient when you're a PF. First of all, your counterpart isn't always crashing the offensive glass. And secondly, you need to have a good nose for the ball be there to pick up the loose balls leftover because your center is busy boxing out the other team's primary offensive rebounding threat.
). & not just NBA. For example, I saw the game (live, from the stands) in which Bill Russell & the USF Dons won the national championship (61 years ago this March). Off the top of your head, who else especially notable was on that team? Take a minute, please, to try & remember before you click:
