Lowry Needs Help To Make All-Star Game

This is an article I wrote that I submitted to Yahoo's contributor network. It's non-exclusive so I retain the right to post it here as well.

My editing isn't the best so take it easy one me grammar police.

-James


Kyle Lowry has always been able to stuff the stat sheet. Throughout his career his per 36 numbers always indicated his ability to be a full-time starter in a league saturated with quality point guards. After Aaron Brooks was traded away last February, Lowry came into his groove and put up 19 straight double digit scoring games. In those contests he garnered double digit assists five times, including his first triple double against Utah. He also drained 2.5 threes and one steal per contest making him a fan favorite in Houston and an all-around fantasy goldmine.

Many experts had expected to see some sort of statistical regression from Lowry but that has not been the case. Lowry has been outstanding early on, flirting with a triple-double nearly every time on the floor.

To this point he has put up 14 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists per game. He also has been averaging 1.5 three pointers, two steals, and half a block as well. His shooting percentages have also been strong at 42/36/90. Because of this it is no surprise that he leads all point guards in PER at 23.44, just ahead of reigning MVP Derrick Rose.

Most impressively is that Lowry has done this without much help from any of his teammates.

The Rockets went through a big change in the offseason when they fired offensive guru Rick Adelman as head coach and replaced him with big man specialist Kevin McHale. They lost one of the best passing bigs in the NBA, all six feet six inches of Chuck Hayes in free agency and replaced him with offensively challenged Samuel Dalembert. They "traded away" Kevin Martin and Luis Scola whom both had to come back and pretend like nothing happened after David Stern vetoed the Chris Paul deal. They are now starting a rookie second round pick, Chandler Parsons, at small forward. And there was that whole lockout thing too.

All of this is detracting from Lowry's stats consequently making his push for the all-star team that much more unlikely.

Let us look a little deeper into his box score from last night:

Six points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, six turnovers, two steals, two blocks.

* Lowry's four main weapons, Martin, Scola, incumbent starting small forward Chase Budinger, and second year PF Patrick Patterson are all shooting career lows in FG% this year.


Last year under Adelman, the Rockets offense was the best in franchise history averaging 106 points per game. This year they have eclipsed the 100 point mark only twice in nine games. The main problem is they are not converting their makeable shots, many of which were set up by Lowry.

In last nights game against the Bobcats, the Rockets converted only eight of 26 shots (31%) that would have resulted in an assist for Lowry. 14 of those misses were layups and open jump shots. Conversely, they converted 10 of 18 shots (55%) that resulted in assist for a player that was not Lowry.

* The Rockets two centers, Dalembert and Jordan Hill are relatively useless from more then 5 feet from the basket. And forget about either of them catching a pass that isn't perfect.


Lowry has seen his turnovers increase in the beginning of this season which was to be expected with his increased role in being a creator in the new offense. While plenty of Lowry's turnovers are his fault, there are just as many that he gets credited with although the mistake was made by a teammate.

Going back to last nights game, Lowry was officially charged with six turnovers. Two of those turnovers resulted when a player ran themselves out of a passing lane in an attempt to get in better rebounding position for a shot that had not even been taken. A third occurred when Jordan Hill was the trailer on a fast break, yet he had his hands by his sides and let a pass zip by his head. A fourth happened after Dalembert couldn't hold onto a thigh high bounce pass. What should have been four assists were instead four turnovers.

* The heart and grit last years Rockets were synonymous with departed with Chuck Hayes.


The Rockets had been exceptional in recovering 50/50 balls the past year in large part to Hayes and Lowry always willing to give up their bodies and get on the floor. That attitude and selflessness was contagious and spread throughout last years Rockets. Fast forward to the current squad and it is Lowry and only Lowry giving that all out effort every night. He had nine knockaways last night that would have resulted in a steal if the Rockets were able to corral the loose ball. They recovered only two.

Rockets fans have been campaigning for Lowry to earn a bid to the All-Star game this year but he will need help from those around him if he wants to find himself in Orlando come end of February.

Both the casual fan and the fantasy owner rely on the box score to determine a player's skill and ability. These two groups of people also happen to comprise the majority of all-star voters which doesn't bode well for Lowry who is probably the best keep secret in the NBA.

It is going to take an some very impressive numbers for Lowry to takes votes away from Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Tony Parker. Until the Rockets get it together and start helping their leader, they will be the last remaining obstacle in Lowry's journey from second string to stardom.

 

This pretty much sums up my feelings as a Rockets fan.

However, Lowry making the all-star team would be the high point of what is shaping up to be a very disheartening season.

-James

 

I wouldn't consider what Lowry is doing as stat padding. I wouldn't even know how one goes about intentionally padding their assist, rebound, or steal totals. And we know that isn't the case with his points as he is only averaging about 10 shots per game.

I've haven't seen much of Lawson so I would have no comparison between the two except for what the numbers can tell me. And what I can tell you is the Nuggets have many more apt offensive players with NeNe, Gallo, Afflalo, Rudy Fernandez, and Al Harrington. Even with a much more potent offense, Lowry's numbers trump Lawson's. I would also think its a safe assumption saying Lowry is a better individual defender then Lawson as well.

-James