Game 36: Pistons (20-15) @ Heat (19-17) - 7:30 PM EST

[afroxnas]

Are we sure AB is a great defender? The metrics don’t like him and we sure did look worst defensively with him on the floor...

He's a bit of a conundrum. The metics have ALWAYS disliked him, more than I've ever seen from a player with solid conventional numbers.

It's pretty consistent too. WS, VORP, BPM, both offensive and defensive, absolutely hate the guy. According to advanced stats he's actually been a net negative both offensively and defensively this year. He has NEGATIVE offensive win shares and is only slightly above board defensively.

That said I wouldn't judge by this game. The Celtics sure don't seem to be suffering from his absence though.

Yes, the metrics are consistent... Also statistically we just had our best defensive month with AB injured for a large stretch of it.
His horrid shot selection would explain most of the his negative RPM and offensive rating , but watching the games I can’t see why his defensive numbers are so bad. It’s not only the last game we’ve had a worst defensive rating with him on the floor for most of the season.
It could be that he is just paired with players like RJ and Tobias that bring the stats down (god, Tobias was again simply a disaster defensively yesterday, he has to be one of the worst help defenders in the league at his position)....
Anyway I wouldn’t rule out exploring the trade market for him. He is our best trade chip to try an improve the team

[SVG]

I was thinking as I was watching last night that it might be better off if the Pistons traded AB. Like afroxnas above me, he is our best trade chip, and we might be able to get rid of another contract(ie. reggie or leur) in the same trade. I am pretty sure SVG is at least entertaining the idea.

Also, while watching the game down the stretch last night, I couldn't help but wonder why Kennard wasn't out there to finish the game. He and Bullock are deadly shooters, and the opposing defense has to account for both. Sure Bradley hit that contested 3 at the end, but it's not something that Kennard couldn't do.

[afroxnas]

I was thinking as I was watching last night that it might be better off if the Pistons traded AB. Like afroxnas above me, he is our best trade chip, and we might be able to get rid of another contract(ie. reggie or leur) in the same trade. I am pretty sure SVG is at least entertaining the idea.

Also, while watching the game down the stretch last night, I couldn't help but wonder why Kennard wasn't out there to finish the game. He and Bullock are deadly shooters, and the opposing defense has to account for both. Sure Bradley hit that contested 3 at the end, but it's not something that Kennard couldn't do.

Shooting without dribble penetration is a lot less effective. You got to force the defense collapse and rotate for Bullock and Kennard to be effective as shooters. The Heat were simply backing off of Ish clogging the lane and daring him to shoot his damn long 2s... we have no one else capable of getting into the paint now...AB (sometimes) is able to get to the lane with a DHO action and force the defense away from shooters. I’m guessing that’s why he stayed on the floor.

[russkopp]

Are we sure AB is a great defender? The metrics don’t like him and we sure did look worst defensively with him on the floor...

He's a bit of a conundrum. The metics have ALWAYS disliked him, more than I've ever seen from a player with solid conventional numbers.

It's pretty consistent too. WS, VORP, BPM, both offensive and defensive, absolutely hate the guy. According to advanced stats he's actually been a net negative both offensively and defensively this year. He has NEGATIVE offensive win shares and is only slightly above board defensively.

That said I wouldn't judge by this game. The Celtics sure don't seem to be suffering from his absence though.

Yes, the metrics are consistent... Also statistically we just had our best defensive month with AB injured for a large stretch of it.
His horrid shot selection would explain most of the his negative RPM and offensive rating , but watching the games I can’t see why his defensive numbers are so bad. It’s not only the last game we’ve had a worst defensive rating with him on the floor for most of the season.
It could be that he is just paired with players like RJ and Tobias that bring the stats down (god, Tobias was again simply a disaster defensively yesterday, he has to be one of the worst help defenders in the league at his position)....
Anyway I wouldn’t rule out exploring the trade market for him. He is our best trade chip to try an improve the team

SVG will never do this because he's bad at his job, but if I'm him, I call the hornets with Avery, Reggie our pick and whatever else it takes for Kemba and Batum.
When they inevitably say no, I low ball the kings on an offer for George Hill, they'll come back with something else...see what happens.
I can't see SVG trading any major pieces for a rental tho, our cap is so messed up that it's not feasible.

[In SVG We Trust]

Bradle, Leuer and our first for Kevin Love. Bradley and Crowder is the couple the Cavs exactly needs, and we get a perfect piece to pair with Dre. We would be amazing charging offensive rebounds and Love opens the court so much.

[MotownMadness]

Bradle, Leuer and our first for Kevin Love. Bradley and Crowder is the couple the Cavs exactly needs, and we get a perfect piece to pair with Dre. We would be amazing charging offensive rebounds and Love opens the court so much.

Love is too much talent loss for them to consider it.

[Richard Miller]

Bradle, Leuer and our first for Kevin Love. Bradley and Crowder is the couple the Cavs exactly needs, and we get a perfect piece to pair with Dre. We would be amazing charging offensive rebounds and Love opens the court so much.

Maybe get Lebron too while we are there and pillaging their team.