Comments on: Defending the Desmond Mason Signing

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:34:23 +0000

Nice article. I can tell you first hand (having seen him both early in his career as a Sonic junkie, and this last year as a Thunder blogger) that Des plays very aggressive and acceptable defense. He’s not an all world defender, but he really gives strong effort and he’s strong, with long arms. He blocks a lot of blown assignments at the rim from the backside. He really gave Dwayne Wade a hard time this year in the Miami matchup.

But I can also tell you that Paul Westphal probably won’t be tough enough on the players to make them earn their minutes like you alluded to. He is sort of a politician. He sort of plays both sides, trying to be both a “players coach” and still be the guy that pleases upper management.

I think Des will be a good addition to your squad. He’s a warrior, a 100% effort guy. Not the most skilled, but he leaves it all on the floor. That sort of mentality is contagious and it can’t but help a young team.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:59:51 +0000

John Salmons Off & Def ratings with the Kings ’08-’09: 111 and 116
Salmons Off & Def ratings with the Bulls ’08-’09: 117 and 111.

The ratings basically flip-flopped and he put up almost the exact same stats with Chicago and Sacramento!
So those ratings should definitely be taken under the consideration that it comes within the context of the team and the players’ role with the team.

By: pookeyguru

pookeyguru — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:25:56 +0000

Interesting premise that young players do need to earn minutes. I agree with this myself. Always have had. I’m just not sure that adding Mason to that glut that includes Nocioni and Garcia is wise.

It’s not that Greene and Casspi don’t have to earn minutes; I think they still do. It’s just mostly “Why?” Desmond Mason is not that good of a player. I think it’s a reality check for Donte and Omri, though, that this will be the best chance they have to earn minutes in a rotation.

So, we’ll see (as per usual).

By: Zach Harper

Zach Harper — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:26:19 +0000

@Layne
I don’t know that it’s worthless but I think it only takes you so far. Matt Bonner is about 8 to 10 points better as a Spur defensively than he was as a Raptor, according to defensive rating. I would venture to say he hasn’t improved all that much defensively.

McFarlane Figures on the other hand…that never lies!

By: Layne

Layne — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:14:03 +0000

I agree, Dean Oliver’s “Defense rating” is mostly about team rather than player so it is pretty worthless as a player measurement.