The Gilbert Difference

Dave Berri looks at the Wizards' surprising resilience in the face of Gilbert Arenas' injuries. The insight that Caron Butler has been playing really, really well will surprise nobody. He does note, however, that Brendan "Haywood is simply taking more shots from the line and the field. And perhaps surprising to some, the increase in Haywood’s shot attempts has not caused his shooting efficiency to decline." And since Haywood was always a fairly efficient scorer, this has helped thus validating my longstanding decree that Eddie Jordan needs to play Haywood more. Beyond that:

Is there any evidence Agent Zero is missed? Yes, but it’s free throw attempts where we see an impact. Last year this team took 29.6 free throw attempts per game. This year the team is only taking 25.2 shots from the line each game.

That's a pretty big difference.

Comments

Oh, c'mon. Today's hoops topic is the Celtics/Pistons game, not what the Mickey Kaus of basketball is writing.

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And why do you hate Andray Blatche, anyway?

Posted by Petey | December 20, 2007 11:33 AM

What I found interesting is that, according to Berri, everyone is playing better, other than Gilbert and Songaila. Not only Butler and Haywood, but also Stevenson, Jamison, Daniels, Blatche, and Mason. That's pretty impressive.

Posted by Al | December 20, 2007 11:46 AM

So what did you think of Pistons/Celtics, Petey? I only saw the second half. The third quarter was brutal, no one was executing on either end, but I was obviously thrilled with how well the Pistons played D in the 4th. They almost choked it away late but still hung on. The Celtics didn't look like they had much to turn to in crunch time. Ray Allen hit a few superhero shots to keep them close and almost steal the win at the end, but they couldn't do anything consistently on offense in the whole second half.

Posted by Haggai | December 20, 2007 11:52 AM

What Petey said.

Tony Allen on the radio in Boston now seeking my forgiveness.

Posted by Andruw | December 20, 2007 11:53 AM

Let's face it, the sheer ugliness of Haywood's shooting style, and relatively awkward look of his footwork, has always obscured his value. He's not first tier by any means, but he's way better than he looks. Jordan should have been giving him more minutes all along.

If he's lucky, Haywood will eventually be traded to a team that is either a decent center away (Luke Longley mode) or an already deep and excellent team in need of a guy who can put in 15 good minutes off the bench (say, the Spurs, Lakers or, yes, Pistons). The particular Wizards pathology (not in the bad sense, just in the unusual chemistry, team and coach) helps him less than maybe any other player.

Posted by drinkof | December 20, 2007 12:20 PM

The big NBA story today is Pistns/Celtics??

Naw, its the Blazers 9 game winning streak...and B-Roy is proving he is going to be a superstar in the Association.

Posted by Tiparillo | December 20, 2007 12:21 PM

"So what did you think of Pistons/Celtics, Petey?"

Kickass game. Compelling and intense the whole way through.

And unlike a Suns/Mavs or Mavs/Spurs game, it was something we haven't seen before.

First non-Powder Blues game of the year I've really been into for all 48 minutes.

"(Boston) couldn't do anything consistently on offense in the whole second half."

Rondo's foul trouble, and consequent time on the bench, was a big factor down the stretch. He only played 34min. Not only was it the reason Tony Allen was covering Billups at the end, but it also fucked with Boston's offense.

Detroit broke open the game at the start of the 4th with Rondo sitting. (That was also the time where Lindsay Hunter did his brief MJ cameo.)

And Tayshaun's defense on PIerce was effective and crucial last night.

I hope these two teams get a playoff series together. It's a nice matchup.

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And tangentially, Cleveland beat Detroit last year not because of their inability to defend The King, but instead because of Chauncey's inability to punish Boobie Gibson in the post the way he punished Rondo last night. I'll never figure out why that happened.

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Finally, I'll keep linking the Very Rasheed Christmas video in the hopes of Matthew posting it.

Posted by Petey | December 20, 2007 12:24 PM

You might look up "the Ewing Theory" by Bill Simmons

Posted by Paul Brentano | December 20, 2007 12:50 PM

You might look up "the Ewing Theory" by Bill Simmons.

Do. Not. Want. Why would anyone ever tell someone to look up something by Simmons? Why do you hate Matt?

...what the Mickey Kaus of basketball is writing.

I was going to say the Lord Saletan, but Kaus works.

I loved Boston's loss, an FU I'm sure Simmons will explain away.

Posted by crack | December 20, 2007 1:57 PM

"I loved Boston's loss, an FU I'm sure Simmons will explain away."

Yeah, that 2-point loss to the second-best in the East surely needs explaining away. I mean, their record is now a pathetic 20-3.

(And I agree with most of the takes on the game above-- I'd only add that the Pistons controlled the tempo and style in the second half and Boston really needs to improve their last-second play calling.)

Posted by PJ | December 20, 2007 3:25 PM

I missed most of the game and I'm still trying to figure out why the Celts didn't bring in Posey to guard Billups at the end. His only real strength is that he's stronger than most PGs and can abuse smaller players in the post.. I guess Allen is a good matchup in theory, but if you have Posey, I'd think it'd be a good matchup.

And I'm not at all surprised the Wizards are better without Gilbert, he's just not a team player. Holds the ball too much, intimidates other players into not taking their shots, doesn't play much D, and doesn't shoot a very good percentage. If he didn't get to the line, he wouldn't even be a positive player.

Posted by Crusty Dem | December 21, 2007 12:18 AM