Comments on: The MVP Race Redux http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/ A Detroit Pistons blog Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:43:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Paul M http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125387 Paul M Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:07:25 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125387 The weird thing about the big guards that Hollinger mentioned is that some of them had their best years late in their career. Cassell had his best year at 34 with Minnesota, and Nash has had some of his best years recently (just turned 34). One thing that they all share is that they're big, smart, and can shoot, so I'm not worried about Billups falling off anytime soon. He should keep most of his value throughout the life of his contract, at least. This does bring up a problem for one of my favorite non-Pistons, Chris Paul. He doesn't fit the profile above, but his buddy Deron Williams does, which makes me believe that Williams will have a longer peak while Paul will experience some dropoff (small guys who rely on jets tend to lose value when they hit their 30s, although I think that Paul's jumpshot has improved to the point where he may buck the trend). The weird thing about the big guards that Hollinger mentioned is that some of them had their best years late in their career. Cassell had his best year at 34 with Minnesota, and Nash has had some of his best years recently (just turned 34). One thing that they all share is that they’re big, smart, and can shoot, so I’m not worried about Billups falling off anytime soon. He should keep most of his value throughout the life of his contract, at least.

This does bring up a problem for one of my favorite non-Pistons, Chris Paul. He doesn’t fit the profile above, but his buddy Deron Williams does, which makes me believe that Williams will have a longer peak while Paul will experience some dropoff (small guys who rely on jets tend to lose value when they hit their 30s, although I think that Paul’s jumpshot has improved to the point where he may buck the trend).

]]> By: radio_free_detroit http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125384 radio_free_detroit Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:16:29 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125384 Occasionally in here over the last couple years, a few people crowed about Billups getting blown by by faster opposing PG's once in awhile. Hey, it's the freaking NBA. That's going to happen to everyone. These aren't anonymous scrubs he's facing night in and night out. Billups is the best all-around PG in the league right now. There are others who do individual things better, yeah. But they don't have the package. By the numbers he's #2. Factor in everything not directly reflected in the numbers and its not even a contest. Occasionally in here over the last couple years, a few people crowed about Billups getting blown by by faster opposing PG’s once in awhile.

Hey, it’s the freaking NBA. That’s going to happen to everyone. These aren’t anonymous scrubs he’s facing night in and night out.

Billups is the best all-around PG in the league right now. There are others who do individual things better, yeah. But they don’t have the package.

By the numbers he’s #2. Factor in everything not directly reflected in the numbers and its not even a contest.

]]> By: kevin s. http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125382 kevin s. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:41:27 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125382 "Regarding the last five games, i don’t remember who we played but did they have any big names at PG?" Raymond Felton, Derek Fisher and Jason Terry are all good. J-Will and Steve Blake less so. I agree the team defense is great, but part of that is because Billups is a great defender. Do you have any evidence that Billups has lost anything this year? He's having the best year of his career. John Hollinger has an article about big guards who can shoot, and how they tend to age well. “Regarding the last five games, i don’t remember who we played but did they have any big names at PG?”

Raymond Felton, Derek Fisher and Jason Terry are all good. J-Will and Steve Blake less so. I agree the team defense is great, but part of that is because Billups is a great defender.

Do you have any evidence that Billups has lost anything this year? He’s having the best year of his career. John Hollinger has an article about big guards who can shoot, and how they tend to age well.

]]> By: Ohad http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125381 Ohad Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:41:54 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125381 So, is that due to billups' amazing defensive skills or is it due to: a) we have a great C/PF combo which helps prevent penetration which makes those players shoot from farther out thus lowering FG%? b) as a unit we are defending very well, thus lowering the team's total FG% and thus lowering the PGs assits? Regarding the last five games, i don't remember who we played but did they have any big names at PG? And once again, i love billups and i love the whole team but i think with age, foot speed and athletic ability becomes diminished. It shows more on guards than it does on big men (who tend to get more injury prone playing - knees, back and so forth). most playes make up for it by doing other things such as developing leadership, improving their range and so forth but still they lose something along the way... So, is that due to billups’ amazing defensive skills or is it due to:
a) we have a great C/PF combo which helps prevent penetration which makes those players shoot from farther out thus lowering FG%?
b) as a unit we are defending very well, thus lowering the team’s total FG% and thus lowering the PGs assits?

Regarding the last five games, i don’t remember who we played but did they have any big names at PG?
And once again, i love billups and i love the whole team but i think with age, foot speed and athletic ability becomes diminished. It shows more on guards than it does on big men (who tend to get more injury prone playing - knees, back and so forth). most playes make up for it by doing other things such as developing leadership, improving their range and so forth but still they lose something along the way…

]]> By: Q Dog http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125380 Q Dog Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:38:32 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125380 I don't even think Dwight Howard would get his own coach's vote from the sound bites I heard on The Basketball Jones this morning! Van Gundy CALLED HIM OUT! I don’t even think Dwight Howard would get his own coach’s vote from the sound bites I heard on The Basketball Jones this morning! Van Gundy CALLED HIM OUT!

]]> By: kevin s. http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125373 kevin s. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:46:41 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125373 A couple of months ago, I debunked the myth that opposing PGs are lighting up Billups this year. IIRC, they were averaging about 12 and 4 on 40% shooting. Over the last five games, they have averaged 8.4 ppg and 3.0 apg on 32% shooting. A couple of months ago, I debunked the myth that opposing PGs are lighting up Billups this year. IIRC, they were averaging about 12 and 4 on 40% shooting. Over the last five games, they have averaged 8.4 ppg and 3.0 apg on 32% shooting.

]]> By: Paul M http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125372 Paul M Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:27:48 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125372 Hughes having a good game is like a biyearly fluke. Hughes having a good game is like a biyearly fluke.

]]> By: Ohad http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125370 Ohad Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:16:19 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125370 QD, I hear what you're saying. Sheed can rebound and score (though he can get some more rebounds every now and then) and he defends the hell out of the center position. I don't remeber a lot of centers partying on his expenss during this season yet i can think of a few PGs who did the same with billups. On the other hand he has Dyess to help him our in the post which isn't the case when billups gets blown past by speedy PGs. Just to add something on the sheed column, how many centers in the NBA shoot 3's with 35% success? QD, I hear what you’re saying.
Sheed can rebound and score (though he can get some more rebounds every now and then) and he defends the hell out of the center position. I don’t remeber a lot of centers partying on his expenss during this season yet i can think of a few PGs who did the same with billups.
On the other hand he has Dyess to help him our in the post which isn’t the case when billups gets blown past by speedy PGs.
Just to add something on the sheed column, how many centers in the NBA shoot 3’s with 35% success?

]]> By: Laughton http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125368 Laughton Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:12:11 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125368 David Stern for MVP! David Stern for MVP!

]]> By: Quick Darshan http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125354 Quick Darshan Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:20:41 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125354 Kevin S., I wasn't slighting what Chauncey has brought to the team this year. I've just been incredibly impressed with Sheed's defense and rebounding. Kevin S., I wasn’t slighting what Chauncey has brought to the team this year. I’ve just been incredibly impressed with Sheed’s defense and rebounding.

]]> By: WLM1 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125353 WLM1 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:50:54 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125353 Now I'm pissed! Right after I go and say that without Lebron the Cavs would be done, Larry Hughes goes for 40 against Orlando with several other Cavs in double figures. The NBA, where go f****** figure happens. Now I’m pissed! Right after I go and say that without Lebron the Cavs would be done, Larry Hughes goes for 40 against Orlando with several other Cavs in double figures.

The NBA, where go f****** figure happens.

]]> By: Paul M http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125348 Paul M Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:23:13 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125348 Hopefully the snub power doesn't carry over to the next few rounds, should the Stones meet them. Their record with LeBron is pretty respectable, and I think they've lost all the games without him really badly. But now they're hoisting up a CBA rotation (Newble, Snow, Dwayne Jones?) since all their real players are injured. I'm guessing they'll have fewer nights like yesterday against Denver, though. You could barely call that basketball. Hopefully the snub power doesn’t carry over to the next few rounds, should the Stones meet them.

Their record with LeBron is pretty respectable, and I think they’ve lost all the games without him really badly. But now they’re hoisting up a CBA rotation (Newble, Snow, Dwayne Jones?) since all their real players are injured. I’m guessing they’ll have fewer nights like yesterday against Denver, though. You could barely call that basketball.

]]> By: WLM1 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125347 WLM1 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:15:41 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125347 I've never been able to name an MVP for the Pistons. I've tried, but as soon as I do, someone else will start having a good stretch and make me change my mind. One day Chauncey will be the best guy out there, other times it's Rip, Sheed has his big games, Tay has been our go-to defender and scorer late in games in the post-season. Then there's McDyess putting up double-double's like it's just another day at the office. This team doesn't have an MVP, that's the beauty of it. Being able to argue about who a team's MVP is is a rarity in itself. I’ve never been able to name an MVP for the Pistons. I’ve tried, but as soon as I do, someone else will start having a good stretch and make me change my mind. One day Chauncey will be the best guy out there, other times it’s Rip, Sheed has his big games, Tay has been our go-to defender and scorer late in games in the post-season. Then there’s McDyess putting up double-double’s like it’s just another day at the office. This team doesn’t have an MVP, that’s the beauty of it. Being able to argue about who a team’s MVP is is a rarity in itself.

]]> By: WLM1 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125346 WLM1 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:06:00 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125346 The Cavs record really isn't that crappy. Plus, considering they lost 6 games without him playing, I'd say Lebron has the best case for MVP. Take Lebron off the Cavs and they could easily lose every game left on their schedule. The Lakers minus Kobe would be weakened significantly, but that team is still capable of competing and winning games. Same thing to a lesser extent with New Orleans and Chris Paul. IMO, if Lebron continues through the season at the pace he's playing at now, he will defintely be the MVP. KG might be named the MVP, but Lebron will be the guy with the best season. Let's hope that KG does indeed get named MVP and the Celtics have to play the Cavs in the playoffs with the "King" feeling snubbed. The Cavs record really isn’t that crappy. Plus, considering they lost 6 games without him playing, I’d say Lebron has the best case for MVP. Take Lebron off the Cavs and they could easily lose every game left on their schedule. The Lakers minus Kobe would be weakened significantly, but that team is still capable of competing and winning games. Same thing to a lesser extent with New Orleans and Chris Paul. IMO, if Lebron continues through the season at the pace he’s playing at now, he will defintely be the MVP. KG might be named the MVP, but Lebron will be the guy with the best season. Let’s hope that KG does indeed get named MVP and the Celtics have to play the Cavs in the playoffs with the “King” feeling snubbed.

]]> By: kevin s. http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125345 kevin s. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:01:04 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-02-11/the-mvp-race-redux/#comment-125345 I disagree strongly. Mentoring the youth is nice (is Chauncey ignoring Stuckey?) but Chauncey is every bit the defender Sheed is, and is simply more productive. Not turning the ball over, getting to the line, not missing free throws, not taking bad shots, creating good shots for teammates... Chauncey does all of that almost to perfection. I disagree strongly. Mentoring the youth is nice (is Chauncey ignoring Stuckey?) but Chauncey is every bit the defender Sheed is, and is simply more productive. Not turning the ball over, getting to the line, not missing free throws, not taking bad shots, creating good shots for teammates… Chauncey does all of that almost to perfection.

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