Sophomore Impressions 2016-17

[kamaze]

So this happened today

He's a shot blocking beast they lost the game.

[gavran]

As if it takes away anything from the block itself. Ha. Ha.

[Klomp]

It's nice to have a big man who can hit free throws. A perfect 10-10 for Towns tonight, who finished with 37/12 on 22 shots.

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[Klomp]

From Page 1:

Few things I'm looking forward to. Can KAT avoid a sophmore slump, with him I don't even really need to see that much improvement, just want to see him at least on the same level as last year (hope he's not another Tyreke Evans).

Safe to say, I think Towns avoided a sophomore slump....going from 18/10 to 24/12 is a decent sophomore campaign.

[Duke4life831]

From Page 1:

Few things I'm looking forward to. Can KAT avoid a sophmore slump, with him I don't even really need to see that much improvement, just want to see him at least on the same level as last year (hope he's not another Tyreke Evans).

Safe to say, I think Towns avoided a sophomore slump....going from 18/10 to 24/12 is a decent sophomore campaign.

Yup. I think he has a rough start defensively to start the year but even with that I feel like he's picked up that side of the game as the year has gone on.

He's a flat out stud, no other way to put it.

[Klomp]

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[The Rebel]

Top 15 sophomores this year in the NBA.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700529-nba-sophomore-ladder-nikola-jokic-is-the-cream-of-the-crop?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

[Klomp]

Top 15 sophomores this year in the NBA.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700529-nba-sophomore-ladder-nikola-jokic-is-the-cream-of-the-crop?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

Oh, Towns is also the fourth sophomore in league history to average more than 24 points per game with a true shooting percentage—cumulative measurement of two-point, three-point and free-throw accuracy—north of 60. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson.

But apparently he's only the second-best sophomore in his class....and he's not second because of his defense, because a worse defender is ahead of him.

[The Rebel]

Top 15 sophomores this year in the NBA.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700529-nba-sophomore-ladder-nikola-jokic-is-the-cream-of-the-crop?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

Oh, Towns is also the fourth sophomore in league history to average more than 24 points per game with a true shooting percentage—cumulative measurement of two-point, three-point and free-throw accuracy—north of 60. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson.

But apparently he's only the second-best sophomore in his class....and he's not second because of his defense, because a worse defender is ahead of him.

Except Jokic is not a worse defender, and despite raw stats all advanced stats point to Jokic being a more effective player.

[Klomp]

Except Jokic is not a worse defender

Even the writer admits that he's worse:

Porzingis, Towns and Turner are all further along on defense

[Duke4life831]

Top 15 sophomores this year in the NBA.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700529-nba-sophomore-ladder-nikola-jokic-is-the-cream-of-the-crop?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

Oh, Towns is also the fourth sophomore in league history to average more than 24 points per game with a true shooting percentage—cumulative measurement of two-point, three-point and free-throw accuracy—north of 60. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson.

But apparently he's only the second-best sophomore in his class....and he's not second because of his defense, because a worse defender is ahead of him.

When did Towns become a better defender than Jokic? Jokic is a much better defender than Towns and its not really all that close either.

[Movics]

Top 15 sophomores this year in the NBA.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700529-nba-sophomore-ladder-nikola-jokic-is-the-cream-of-the-crop?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

Oh, Towns is also the fourth sophomore in league history to average more than 24 points per game with a true shooting percentage—cumulative measurement of two-point, three-point and free-throw accuracy—north of 60. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson.

But apparently he's only the second-best sophomore in his class....and he's not second because of his defense, because a worse defender is ahead of him.

Stay woke, Klomp! The best sophomore is so good that he is only allowed to play 27 minutes a night, otherwise it'd be unfair for the rest of the league.

Except Jokic is not a worse defender, and despite raw stats all advanced stats point to Jokic being a more effective player.

It's not hard to be more effective when you put up 11 shots instead of 18 and are not required to play huge minutes.

[Klomp]

While Jokic has enjoyed great offensive success since becoming the starter; he’s also been one of, if not the single worst defensive center in the league.

Of all centers that have made at least 30 appearances during that span, not one of them has allowed more field goals per game than Nikola. In fact, despite his own efficiency on the other end, he has the worst DIFF% of all such players. There are 54 centers who have made 30 appearances and averaged at least 15 minutes per game since mid-December. Only three of those players have a worse DEF Rating than Jokic. He’s in the bottom-11 for DEF Win Shares as well.

https://16winsaring.com/nikola-youve-got-to-be-joking-me-60d3ae52df26

A spread pick-and-roll team like the Houston Rockets, whom the Nuggets have faced twice in the past week, have drastically exposed his flaws on that end. Jokic rarely moves his feet well enough and is a little foul prone when he’s constantly attacked. He doesn’t hard hedge, instead staying so far away from the pick and roll that the ball handler can make a dribble move before being forced to encounter Jokic. He’s terrible at using angles, gives up on plays and rarely recovers to his man when the ball is finally settled.

The Nuggets are in a dog fight for the eight-seed out West, and their defense has been a mess all season. Jokic has carried the offense to new heights, but against good teams it is a zero-sum game.

Before the season ends, Denver faces the new-look Pelicans three times (with big men that can eat Jokic alive), Oklahoma City twice (Westbrook averaging 34 against the Nuggetss this year), the Rockets once more, a pivotal game at Portland, the Miami Heat, and two other road games. Eight of their final 11 come on the road. If Jokic cannot figure out his defense fast, it could even cost them a playoff spot.

https://bballbreakdown.com/2017/03/27/coaches-seat-jokics-defense-solution-resting-players-bargain-shopping-big-men/

[gaspar]

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[Quentin]

Top 15 sophomores this year in the NBA.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700529-nba-sophomore-ladder-nikola-jokic-is-the-cream-of-the-crop?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

Oh, Towns is also the fourth sophomore in league history to average more than 24 points per game with a true shooting percentage—cumulative measurement of two-point, three-point and free-throw accuracy—north of 60. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson.

But apparently he's only the second-best sophomore in his class....and he's not second because of his defense, because a worse defender is ahead of him.

Stay woke, Klomp! The best sophomore is so good that he is only allowed to play 27 minutes a night, otherwise it'd be unfair for the rest of the league.

Except Jokic is not a worse defender, and despite raw stats all advanced stats point to Jokic being a more effective player.

It's not hard to be more effective when you put up 11 shots instead of 18 and are not required to play huge minutes.

Thank you! Make the guy play some heavy minutes and watch what happens to his efficiency.

[Papi_swav]

The NBA should make a Sophomore of the Year award, some future all stars in this class.

[Doctor MJ]

Top 15 sophomores this year in the NBA.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2700529-nba-sophomore-ladder-nikola-jokic-is-the-cream-of-the-crop?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

Oh, Towns is also the fourth sophomore in league history to average more than 24 points per game with a true shooting percentage—cumulative measurement of two-point, three-point and free-throw accuracy—north of 60. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson.

But apparently he's only the second-best sophomore in his class....and he's not second because of his defense, because a worse defender is ahead of him.

I think you need to watch Jokic play without judgment. He's astonishing.

Not saying you can't favor KAT, but realistically none of us have seen anyone like Jokic in recent decades.


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[Klomp]

I think you need to watch Jokic play without judgment. He's astonishing.

Not saying you can't favor KAT, but realistically none of us have seen anyone like Jokic in recent decades.

I have. He's proven me completely wrong. But I'd still rather build my team around Towns.

[NTB]

Read on Twitter

[Gam]

I think you need to watch Jokic play without judgment. He's astonishing.

Not saying you can't favor KAT, but realistically none of us have seen anyone like Jokic in recent decades.

I have. He's proven me completely wrong. But I'd still rather build my team around Towns.

FWIW If I had to build a team around one it'd be KAT, if I could add one to the Bucks it'd be Jokic.


You've gotta admit Jokic is miles ahead of KAT on the defensive end for the time being though.