prime1time wrote: Here's the thing about these "percentile" based arguments to state that Rui can't "create his own shot."
If you compare Rui to what he should be compared to - 3rd or 4th option shot creators he plays the role well.
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For what we want Rui to be able to do - be a role player and contribute - he can do the job effectively. And yes, in that context Rui can create his own shot.
Okay then we don't have the same definition of shot creation. If a shot creator is a pass dependent 4th option catch and shoot role-player, well alright. But at some point words have to have meaning or else we aren't communicating.
Personally I see 'shot creator' as different than 'finisher'. A shot creator is someone who can make an unassisted bucket when the offense breaks down. The argument was that we are struggling on offense and therefore Rui was the evident solution. But the numbers say he does not score efficiently. The suggestion was that he can make his own shot, citing the playoffs as an example. But the numbers say in the playoffs 88% of his baskets were assisted. That is: someone else created that shot opportunity for him.
By any other definition of shot creator the numbers also say whenever he tries to dribble or has the ball for too long he is an ineffective scorer. He doesn't pass much to create shots for other players. Does not finish well when guarded. Those are what the stats say from NBA.com.
The percentile information is relative to other players in the league. That is: if you are 14th percentile in a skill, then 86% of the players in the league are better than you. If Rui is below 50% in every stat cited then by _definition of the word average_ he is significantly below average in those basic basketball skills. Basic plays in team basketball. Does this mean he has no role on a basketball team? No it means his team based skills are lacking and need development, so he will likely not be inked in as a starter.
He needs to develop: rebounding, assists, a finishing move that scores with something other than below-average efficiency.
Is there a role for him, for what he does well? Rui is among the top in the league at finishing in transition. He showed improved results on catch and shoot 3's in the playoffs. He plays effective 1-on-1 defense against, you know, actual shot creators. There is a role for that. The team is banking on him filling in the gaps of his other skills so they can take advantage of his talent there.
All of that is a long way away from championship anything. We can cite what other championship teams have done, but we don't have an MVP calibre player at the top of their game to make up for the deficiencies of other players. As currently constructed if this team wins anything (a post season game, a first round series) it will be because of efficient team play. Until Rui develops those skills, let's not hyperventilate too loudly about what he could or might do. Or try to handwave away the fact that:
86% of the league is better than him in isolation.
74% of all players are better at spotting up.
80% are better at offensive putbacks, despite his remarkable strength and body control.
And that he is statistically either below average or totally deficient at:
cutting off the ball,
scoring off screens,
posting up,
drawing fouls /and-1 opportunities
assist %
What you might call: "Shot creation".
To say nothing of most of the basic basketball plays that constitute good play. (rebounding %, taking charges, deflections, blocked shots, etc).
He has the physical tools to be very good, but currently he falls short on the fundamentals. Especially the fundamentals of a power forward (where people keep inking him into the line-up). Let's let Wes work with him for a bit before we expect too much from him.