JasonIsDaMan wrote:Camden wrote:Meh. I've never been in love with PER. It ignores a lot of the game, but it's just one of many stats that can be used to illustrate a point. If 15.0 is league average, then Noel's been that or better both seasons he's been in the league, which isn't necessarily easy when you're a young player, especially in the front court.
Also, defense has always been a team concept. If PER split is your way to determine whether or not a player is good or not, more power to you. It's ignoring the part where you watch the games, but again, it's hard to judge guys on bad teams.
I realize he's on his third year of his contract. That doesn't scare me. Not getting a good player out of this first round pick does scare me because that's super possible and we need to stop wasting assets (1st rounder from Miami or Thaddeus Young; future first rounder in Adreian Payne deal). This class is really difficult to be confident in. And as always, fans seem to overrate the value of their pick. Moving the pick for a young player that's been productive in his two seasons is an attractive option, one I'd feel good about.
Side question: Would you rather pay big money to a 23-year old Noel or a 27-year old Dieng?
I guess we'll have to agree-to-disagree on Noel.
And like I said, the solution to not liking the #5 pick is trading down, not giving it away. I am not confident in this class either, but I think for different reasons. I don't think Simmons can shoot from the outside well enough, and I think Hield is just too small. Just because it worked for Curry doesn't mean it works for everyone.
"27 year old Dieng"? When I read that, I almost wet myself. How can he only be 27? Did he start at Duke when he was 14? Is he the Sheldon Cooper of the NBA? Then I pulled up his profile and read where he is 31 and decided that it was a hypothetical that would require much time to research.
......Actually, less time than I thought. A slight edge to Dieng. He played a lot of minutes his 27th year (more than Noel last year) almost exclusively at the 3. His split at the 3 was plus 1.3. Yes, he would be older and also in a contract year, but he had history of getting it done. So SLIGHT edge. But still not excited about trading a #5 pick for one year of a player.
It was hypothetical, but you got mixed up. I'm asking would you rather pay a 23-year old Nerlens Noel who took a leap as a player in his third season under an elite coach or pay a 27-year old Gorgui Dieng who kind of is what he is at his point -- very solid, but unspectacular? I'm not talking about Luol Deng in this. Dieng, not Deng.
And I'm not looking to trade the No. 5 pick for one year of anyone. Noel would be a piece for the now and the future. He just turned 22-years old in April. That's younger than both Buddy Hield and Kris Dunn.