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- NBA Playoff Pick Ems, Jalen Green and Franz Games' Broken Down, The NBA's Best (and Worst) Drivers, the Minster of Defense and More!
NBA Playoff Pick Ems, Jalen Green and Franz Games' Broken Down, The NBA's Best (and Worst) Drivers, the Minster of Defense and More!
Curating and summarizing the best NBA content of the week
Vikram Dimba
April 03, 2024
Welcome to the NBA Librarian Weekly, where we curate and summarize the best NBA content of the week.
Table of Contents
Hey everyone, sorry for missing last week! It's business as usual this week. Also, I’d like to take some time to promote a playoff fantasy game I’ve built. It’s a weekly pick 'em that combines DFS and traditional season-long fantasy. I’ve been playing it with friends this season, and we’re doing a playoff version that I would love to open up to more people!
Read more here!
The NBA’s Best and Worst Drivers
The article examines NBA players' efficiency in driving to the basket, using a statistic called "Makes Per Drive" (MPD), calculated by dividing the total number of made shots on drives by the total number of driving attempts.
Bennedict Mathurin is highlighted as a "Reckless Driver" with an MPD of 0.43, indicating his struggles in making shots on drives, attributed to poor decision-making and a tendency to force plays. On the other end, Luka Doncic, dubbed a "School Zone Driver," boasts a high MPD of 0.66, succeeding due to his controlled pace and exceptional shot-making skills. Zion Williamson, the "Hummer Driver," is noted for his sheer volume of driving attempts and physical dominance, despite not leading in MPD efficiency.
The article suggests that while raw driving ability is crucial, the key to success lies in shot selection and the ability to adapt to defensive setups, as evidenced by the varied performance of players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and others mentioned.
There are great charts/graphics and video examples to highlight all the points made in the article. Definitely check it out.
Has Jalen Green Finally Turned the Corner?
Alex does a GREAT job breaking down Jalen Green’s recent explosion.
In his last 15 games, Jaylen Green has significantly impacted the Houston Rockets' success, averaging 28 points, six rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 48.2% from the field and 42.3% from three on nearly 10 attempts per game. This surge in performance has coincided with a 10-game winning streak for the Rockets, underscoring Green's crucial role. His scoring isn't just prolific but efficient; he navigates pick and roll scenarios with a 40% success rate from three as the ball handler, and his season-long shooting showcases his versatility with 62% at the rim, 40% on long mid-range shots, 39% from corner threes, and 34% from non-corner threes.
During the recent stretch, Green's efficiency soared to 67% at the rim, 44% on long mid-range shots, 47% from the corner, and 42% on non-corner threes, evidencing his three-level scoring capability. Beyond scoring, his playmaking has evolved, leveraging his scoring threat to create opportunities for teammates, enhancing his role as a primary facilitator. Defensively, Green has stepped up, demonstrating increased engagement and effectiveness. His overall improvement is quantified by a significant rise in estimated plus-minus, reflecting his transformative effect on the Rockets' performance and illustrating the non-linear nature of player development.
Trey Murphy Unlocking the Pelicans
Trey Murphy III has emerged as a pivotal figure for the New Orleans Pelicans, notably enhancing their offense with his long-range shooting prowess. Jackson provides detailed insights into Murphy's shooting value, highlighting his 37.4% accuracy on above-the-break threes and an average shot distance of 26.2 feet, placing him in the 86th percentile. Additionally, Murphy's 36% catch-and-shoot efficiency and his impressive close-range efficiency (76% within 4 feet, ranking in the 93rd percentile among wings) are noted, despite his limited drives per game.
Jackson uses video evidence to illustrate how Murphy significantly influences the team's dynamics and emphasizes the critical role he is expected to play for the Pelicans in their upcoming postseason campaign.
The Minister of Defense: Jonathan Issac
The Orlando Magic are poised for a successful season, on track to win 48 games and potentially secure home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Aside from the obvious names, the Magic's bench, particularly its defense, has been a cornerstone of their performance. Jonathan Isaac has been a critical component of this unit, especially after returning from injury, showcasing his defensive prowess as a secondary rim protector and a versatile defender across the floor.
Isaac, in his limited playtime of about 15 minutes per game, has been a defensive force, averaging nearly three blocks every 75 possessions, ranking him fourth in the NBA. His impact extends beyond blocking, as he alters shots significantly, with opposing players shooting over 19% worse than their expected percentage at the rim against him.
Despite his restricted minutes, Isaac's presence on the court dramatically enhances the Magic's defensive efficacy, with the team boasting a significantly better defensive rating and net rating when he plays. His ability to execute various defensive coverages and his switch-ability on the perimeter underscore his potential to be a top defensive player in the league if he can sustain health and increase his playing time.
Miles McBride, known for his defensive prowess with the Knicks, stands out as a master screen navigator, disrupting ball screens and forcing opponents into turnovers and poor shots. His defensive acumen contributed to the Knicks' impressive March defensive rating of 105.9, the second-best in the league. Highlighted in games like the one against the Detroit Pistons, McBride's ability to negate screen plays and maintain pressure on ball handlers like Marcus Sasser and Jaden Ivey led to pivotal defensive stands, showcasing his knack for reading plays and altering shot timings. His defensive skills, combined with an improved offensive game, underscore his growing significance to the Knicks, hinting at a potential key role in their postseason ambitions.
Check it out to read more from Candace!
Franz Wagner’s Elite All-Around Game
Continuing the Magic theme - I enjoyed this breakdown of Franz game despite his long range shooting struggles.
Franz Wagner, amidst averaging a career-high in points for the Orlando Magic, has grappled with a notable shooting slump all season, particularly from the three-point line where he has managed only a 28.3% shooting, dipping to 14.9% in March. These struggles have led to a strategic shift in the team's play, especially affecting how they utilize Paolo Banchero, with Jalen Suggs taking on more responsibilities in ball entry.
However, Wagner's prowess in driving to the basket stands in stark contrast to his perimeter shooting woes, as he boasts a 53.1% efficiency on drives and ranks in the 95th percentile for drives and shots at the rim per 75 possessions, showcasing his dominant finishing skills near the basket. His evolution as an offensive player is further highlighted by his increased shot attempts, particularly in the paint, underscoring his critical role in the Magic's offensive scheme despite the challenges in his shooting from distance.
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