ESPN - The Numbers: Kevin Garnett is "Snuffing Them Out

[threrf23]

Many of Scal's minutes with KG came with the first unit when Perk was injured...that just shows that Perk has had a noticeably negative offensive impact for the most part (and its a positive enough statement about Scal, I guess).

[TheMartian]

In before the Cevap.

[celticfan42487]

The only numbers I take seriously are the Perk/KG pairing. There the only one that involves KG not having to make up for his counter part in rebounding or defending the best post player.

Really #s are great but I only see Perk as truely beneficial to KG defensively and rebounding wise. Perk is a slightly below Powe and Davis offensively [they're better at making open layups]

[UGA Hayes]

It would be a shame if Perk doesn't get at least 3rd team defense. I have no doubt in my mind he is one of the 15 best defenders in the league. He does an amazing job when he switched onto guys who are smaller than him who should be blowing by him with ease.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Ya Scal played early when we were like totally destroying teams earlier in the season.

I think Doc's thinking with Scal and Posey playing the 4 allows KG to play in the post more by spreading the floor or whatever.

Or maybe his thinking is that Scal sucks?

[billfromBoston]

I knew about Garnett's defense and the effect it would have on the rest of the team but I realized about 20 games into the season I was severely underrating Kendrick Perkins' defense. Rather, I was severely underrating the combination of Perkins and Garnett on defense. Together, they have been absolutely nasty.

Something even more amazing, as of 30 March 08:

Kevin Garnett (w/ Perkins)

Team ORtg 112.30
Team DRtg 94.09
Team OReb% 28.09%
Team DReb% 74.21%
Expected Win% .922

Kevin Garnett (w/o Perkins)

Team ORtg 111.75
Team DRtg 103.30
Team OReb% 27.85%
Team DReb% 69.14%
Expected Win% .750

Now realize that 80.65%, on average, of the oppositions starters have been in the game when Perkins and Garnett have been paired. IOW, the Perkins/Garnett pairing has been doing their damage against 4.03+ starters on the floor and not feasting on back-ups.

Pogue, how are you coming up with these figures "80.65%" and "4.03"....i've never seen these types of figures anywhere else...are you collecting play-by-play data and tracking the lineups?

[drza]

re: KG's getting MVP would disrespect Pierce.

Someone made that statement earlier in the thread, but I just don't see the logic of it. Most MVPs in history have had Hall of Fame teammates. At the very least most have All Star teammates. Bird, Magic, Jordan, and Malone all won multiple MVPs with Hall-of-fame teammates. Nash recently won two playing with Amare and Marion. Duncan won two playing with David Robinson. I don't see how one teammate winning the MVP with the other on the all NBA team (as Pierce should be this year) is in any way disrespectful.

[Pogue Mahone]

Bill, yes, PbP data.

[billfromBoston]

Bill, yes, PbP data.

...what do you do professionally Pogue? I'd like to speak with you further off-line if your game....send a message to the mod and let's talk....