Aaron Brooks - B+ Offensively he competes at a very high level and even displayed flashes of being able to take over games by hitting clutch shots. Defensively he regressed over the season and was routinely lit up by all comers. Homework: look for the open man and pass it. stay in front of your man on D Kyle Lowry - B+ Quite possibly the heart of this team, his desire to push the ball and create is is a great compliment to Brooks' style of play. Defensively able to match up with the larger guards and asserts himself to create foul troubles for the opposing player. Health issues and durability became a problem as the season progressed begging to question if his style of play can be a problem. Homework - shoot, shoot, shoot and then shoot some more. I don't care if it's mid range, long range or short range, just shoot. Trevor Ariza - C+ was much more effective after the trade when he returned to his natural role off the ball. Defensively, the best rocket at playing the passing lanes in years; however, his propensity to gamble for the steal often leaves his man open. looks to be a solid acquisition and outplayed battier consistently allowing morey to look to move the expiring dukie this offseason. Homework: work on your handles buddy. go nowhere without maintaining a dribble. Shane Battier - C Amazing how not having a big player to funnel your assignment in to makes a man look mortal. Shane's presence on a contender can be significant. Shane's presence on a pretender is unnecessary. Offensively, well. really there is nothing to note here. Defensively he was a step slower and as already noted, most impacted by having no big behind him. Homework: enjoy some time off and bring us back a big in a trade. Kevin Martin - B- Offensively a very talented player when involved in the game. Why is he not involved enough is a question for he and Adelman to determine. Seems to lose focus and become rattled if early shots do not go in. Does not demand the ball enough and somehow scores a very quite 20+/game. Homework: get the testosterone levels up and learn to assert yourself. trying and failing is acceptable, but not trying and deferring to others is pathetic. Luis Scola - B+ Luis blossomed after the Landry trade and really played a+ ball down the stretch. The first half of the season, his impact was mitigated largely due to the outstanding offensive play of Landry. Best footwork of a rocket since the 'dream. Homework: rest up buddy. your role should be expanded next season to help limit the minutes of Yao. Carl Landry - A- Gonna miss this guy. His d was, uhh, a work in progress. His offense was a thing of beauty. Jordan Hill - C- In limited minutes showed a knack for rebounding and some looks of being talented offensively. Defensively has a lot to work on, especially with respect to contesting at the rim. Too many times he was in position to challenge and instead allowed and unconstested layup. Homework: watch tape of Landry on the offensive side. work on d at all other times. Chase Budinger - B- Very talented player offensively that shows potential ranging from solid role player off the bench, to starting 3. Defensively handled himself adequately for a rookie. Homework: defense and dribble drive. Chuck Hayes - C+ Van Gundy once told Hayes that he has to give 100% effort always to make up for his shortcomings. Sorry Clutch, but to me, it seems he forgot these words of wisdom. Maybe minutes got to him, but too many times he seemed to give less than full effort and our only true defensive post player became a defensive liabilty. Homework: Grow 6", and not in a Carl Herrera double enten' sort of way. I'm thinking a radical Yao ming reconstructive type surgery where they break and extend your legs. David Andersen - Inc hey, he only cost a second round pick.
He should just dribble everywhere. Go outside dribble a ball to the park, go run miles while dribbling the ball, then dribble in the house....lol
Whats with these scores? I sure as heck would want you as my teacher, because they are pretty generous.
probably because we are grading them against our expectations prior to the season and how well they stacked up and not ranking them against their peers in the league. obviously the latter would have significantly different results Jerome. this team wasn't expected to make the playoffs and was widely presumed to compete for one of the worst records in the league. However, they finished above .500 and remained in the race for most of the season. How can you not say they performed well, with the majority of players garnering respectable grades?
...because management can stop injuries from happening? This isn't grading the "what-if" factors; this is grading the team as they were this season, and this season only. Of course it is unfortunate not to make it to the playoffs. But to be the best non-playoff team without a single star (besides maybe Kevin Martin), is a feat you should be proud of.
How is it too high? When you grade someone you base it on the individual's skill level and the effort he puts in bringing -if you grade it on a curve then LBJ would get the only A while every other player gets an F, even if their team wins the championship Personally I'll give Scola the only A this season, however most of the rotation players worked their asses off, which is why Larsv8 is correct in giving them high grades.
