“However, what the stats don’t tell you is that when he does that, sometimes the extra defenders he tends to draw leave his teamates open to get offensive rebounds and extremely easy shots that they otherwise wouldn’t have gotten. It’s almost like he’s getting a different form of assist and contribution to his teamate’s rebounds that no one seems to notice or care about. So maybe some of his decisions aren’t quite as bad as they look even though they impact his personal stats unfavorably.”

Owen said:

“IS – I file these kind of comments under “just so stories.” You can make this argument about any player, in any situation, in order to defend someone whose play doesn’t readily seem to produce a lot of wins. ”

The difference is that 9-10 players don’t draw double and triple teams as often when they have the ball and go to the hoop. If you don’t double and triple him, he’ll score a much more efficient looking 30 points a night instead of doing what appears to be all the silly things we tend to donwgrade him for. Things like my example are factors for all players, just not as often with Iverson. Now keep in mind, I’m not actually defending him as the superstar the media makes him out to be. I’m just saying he has more value than his given credit for statistically because those little hidden things that happen in games are more of a factor for him than others.

NEWS FLASH: Isiah rushed to hospital after apparently ODing on sleeping pills.

no duh sherlock. there was already a blog post about it

restricted free agents does not equal the open market.

“D’Antoni to read Top Ten on Letterman

Mike D’Antoni will read the famous Top Ten list on the David Letterman Show this coming Tuesday. The subject of the list will be, “Top Ten New York Knicks Promises for the 2008-2009 Season.”

[Cringe.]

Let’s hear some ideas for the list.”

Thomas B – This is a task made to order for you. There is actually one funny list somebody posted in the comments but i bet you can do better.

Posted by LH:

10) Stephon Marbury promises to stop driving home interns in his truck.
9) Jerome James promises to wear dress shoes with his suit EVERY GAME.
8) Jared Jeffries promises to stop taking advice from Terrell Owens
7) Danilo Gallinari promises to stop telling women that his injury is not a bulging disc but a bulging di…, erm…yeah. Lost in translation… Moving on.
6) Zach Randolph promises to stop telling people he used to play “Eddie Winslow” on Family Matters.
5) Nate the Great promises not to let anyone “steal his sunshine”
4) James Dolan promises to authorize a Lebron James bobble head give away day.
3) Eddie Curry promises to refrain from using the term “practicing to” refer to playing video games
2) David Lee PROMISES to sign a contract with the Knicks next summer….c’mon….
1) Isiah Thomas promises to stay in Europe… “scouting” new talent.
0) Mike D promises not to stop trying, take a buyout and run away laughing…

I see Fazekas is #1 on the breakout candidates for 09 list. Did he get picked up by Denver? I wish the Knicks had picked him up instead of Grunfeld or Roberson.When is the deadline for the Knicks to get down to 15?

Fazekas was drafted in the 2nd round by dallas and rode the pine last year.http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2007.html

Is there a point here? Although he has been limited in minutes, his stats project him out to be a very efficient player.http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=fazekni01&y1=2008As far as second round players, we could use a few like Arenas, Rodman, Ginobili, Boozer, Rashard Lewis, Steve Kerr, Monta Ellis . . .

The point is. . . . . .he wasnt available as a free agent if your comparing him to roberson or grunfeld. He was drafted. We drafted wilson chandler with in that draft.And yes, it is great to get lucky with a diamond in the rough, i actually think we have a few, lee, robinson, chandler, collins.

Actually, Fazekas was cut last year by Dallas so he’s been a free-agent several times over the past few months. So yes, the Knicks could have picked him up this past summer instead of Grunfeld or Roberson who were also free-agents. Which was his point.

I stand corrected

strange a player so you would be allowed to be on the open market so often. I’ve always thought he was a good player, something must be going on in practice, because i dont see a reason to cut a 23 year old player with upside. especially when you can assign to the dleague

D Lee and N Robinson to be restricted free agents.

if they both hit the open market, one or both will be gone!!

http://dberri.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/choosing-between-fazekas-and-the-anti-fazekas/#more-1030

Really, who knows? I don’t think advanced stats can really tell you which players will pan out. It’s a crapshoot.

Also, Alan Hahn is reporting that the Pistons and Cavs are “monitoring” the Zach situation. Big Ben or Rasheed for Zbo straight up?

anyway, the first half of my post still holds. none of those guys got released three times in a year, and I think you’d be hardpressed to find anyone who did and later became a valuable contributor.