Pork-O-Meter

[AbeVigodaLive]

Even I'm already about 40% pork chop. The amount of pork chop is increasing every time he keeps missing games. If he would have been able to play all games this season so far, I would be still in 0% level.

I have seen both by watching games this year and checking statistics some improvement for Ricky's pull-up jumper. His FG% in pull-up shots has been 37.7% this year while for example Zach has shot 34% and Wiggins 31.4% in those type of shots.

Even last year Ricky was shooting much better pull-up jumpers than in past. This percentage was last year 39% while year before it was just 29%. Unfortunately NBA.com doesn't have same information available about previous years.

If we look his 2-point jump shot percentages from basketball-reference, we see quite similar pattern.
2011-12 30.5%
2012-13 32.8%
2013-14 28.5%
2014-15 40.3%
2015-16 37.7%

His last over 40% shooting percentage in two point jump shots might have been anomaly but I think there is already enough data that I'm ready to believe that his new form is working better in short jumpers. Unfortunately it seems that it has currently messed totally his 3-point shooting.

If he would be able later to transform same improvement for his 3-point shooting, I would not consider outside shooting anymore as weakness for Ricky.

But unfortunately even this improvement doesn't matter at all if he cannot stay healthy.

So?

He's shooting 34.3% overall. After shooting 35.6% last season. And his three point shooting has plummeted both seasons. So I don't really care if he's improved his shooting percentage on the "least efficient" shot in basketball... if he's shooting even worse at the more efficient (and more desired by most teams) shots.

[MikkeMan]

So?

He's shooting 34.3% overall. After shooting 35.6% last season. And his three point shooting has plummeted both seasons. So I don't really care if he's improved his shooting percentage on the "least efficient" shot in basketball... if he's shooting even worse at the more efficient (and more desired by most teams) shots.

But if he can improve efficiency of one type of shot, why you think he couldn't do same for 3-point shot for example next season?

[AbeVigodaLive]

So?

He's shooting 34.3% overall. After shooting 35.6% last season. And his three point shooting has plummeted both seasons. So I don't really care if he's improved his shooting percentage on the "least efficient" shot in basketball... if he's shooting even worse at the more efficient (and more desired by most teams) shots.

But if he can improve efficiency of one type of shot, why you think he couldn't do same for 3-point shot for example next season?

That's conjecture. I don't know. It'll be his 6th season in the league. Right now, he's regressing with three point shooting. To break that trend and suddenly improve isn't a given by any means.

Since we're seeing evidence of him getting worse... is it possible he's even worse next season?

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Even I'm already about 40% pork chop. The amount of pork chop is increasing every time he keeps missing games. If he would have been able to play all games this season so far, I would be still in 0% level.

I have seen both by watching games this year and checking statistics some improvement for Ricky's pull-up jumper. His FG% in pull-up shots has been 37.7% this year while for example Zach has shot 34% and Wiggins 31.4% in those type of shots.

Even last year Ricky was shooting much better pull-up jumpers than in past. This percentage was last year 39% while year before it was just 29%. Unfortunately NBA.com doesn't have same information available about previous years.

If we look his 2-point jump shot percentages from basketball-reference, we see quite similar pattern.
2011-12 30.5%
2012-13 32.8%
2013-14 28.5%
2014-15 40.3%
2015-16 37.7%

His last over 40% shooting percentage in two point jump shots might have been anomaly but I think there is already enough data that I'm ready to believe that his new form is working better in short jumpers. Unfortunately it seems that it has currently messed totally his 3-point shooting.

If he would be able later to transform same improvement for his 3-point shooting, I would not consider outside shooting anymore as weakness for Ricky.

But unfortunately even this improvement doesn't matter at all if he cannot stay healthy.

Great data, mikkeman. I said before my pork rating would be volatile, and your post moves the needle from 50% to 45% Pork. The improved data on the 2-point jumper (while still not good enough) matches my eye test too. Ricky looks very smooth moving to his left off a pick and stroking the 15-footer...I'm guessing he's more like 70% on that shot. I also sense that he has improved slightly his ability to finish. But my eye test and the data show that his 3-point shot is broken. His excellent percentage on free throws tells me that he can make the open 3-point set shot...he needs to keep shooting it.

Ricky can move me closer to 0% if he does the following:

1) stays reasonably healthy
2) limits his scoring offense to drives to the basket, free throws, open 15 footers (focusing on going to his left) and wide open threes.
3) continue his good defense and assist:turnover ratio.

That's his ticket to success. My 45% pork number reflects my doubt that he can do it.

[Porckchop]

If you take out game one where he shot 10-18 what does his true shooting look like?

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I'm 90% Porkchop. I'm tired of having a primary ball handler who can't score in any capacity. It doesn't work for anyone else so why should we expect it to work for us to the tune of playoff success and possibly championship success. He can't shoot so he'll never be a viable 3 and D option next to Lavine and Wiggins. Honestly the way Tyus played at Duke is how I want my PG to play. Someone who runs the offense, gets everyone involved and can take over if needed. It's what CP3 does just at a much higher level because he's a much better athlete than Tyus. Slap 20lbs on Tyus and I would rather he play over Rubio even though it means sacrificing a good chunk of defense because we'd actually have a functional offense to make up for it. I'm fine keeping Ricky until we find a replacement, but I want us actually looking for a replacement because I think Ricky as good as he is on a team play level costs us games because he can't score as our primary ball handler and teams just don't get away with that in today's game.

Also, for all the "vision" and things Rubio is claimed to have, it seems we always have to work hard for buckets, and offensively, things just don't come easy for this team. I don't have the stats, but I would expect a team with a guy with Rubio's supposed skillset to be close to the top of the league in fast break points, dunks and easy around-the-rim baskets. What I see when I watch games is a team that struggles in all of these facets of the game, despite our gifted athletic team. Why is that? And if Rubio is not pushing the team in a positive direction in these aspects, we know he is a massive liability in 1/2 court sets. Am I way off base here? I don't know, maybe someone will statistically show I am off...it's just what I see in games.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I don't think you are way off at all, Hicks...I see the Wolves as an isolation one-on-one team regardless of whether Ricky or Zach is running the point. Maybe Ricky is still rusty from time off, but I don't think he has provided many easy opportunities for his teammates this year. I don't know who to blame for this...Ricky, Sam Mitchell for not emphasizing enough ball movement and offensive flow, or Ricky's teammates for not working hard enough without the ball to put themselves in a position for an easy look from Ricky. I'm baffled...I just know it looks different to me. Thank god we have such talented isolation players, because our offense is still reasonable productive despite the dearth of easy looks.

[Coolbreeze44]

I'm telling you the lack of fast break points and opportunities is systematic. This team is clearly not coached to take advantage of fast break opportunities. Nothing they do resembles any type of patterned break. The guards are always retreating instead of looking for outlet passes. No one runs the court with any sense of structure or quite frankly, zeal. We make it way to easy on the opponent in my opinion,

[Coolbreeze44]

I'm a little confused. If Pork Chop himself isn't 100% Pork Chop, can anybody be? If he's married, I'm wondering if his wife is 100% Pork Chop. I would hope she's not 85% Pork Chop, and 15% Mail man. Things to ponder while we still have two days until the next game.

[AbeVigodaLive]

So?

He's shooting 34.3% overall. After shooting 35.6% last season. And his three point shooting has plummeted both seasons. So I don't really care if he's improved his shooting percentage on the "least efficient" shot in basketball... if he's shooting even worse at the more efficient (and more desired by most teams) shots.

But if he can improve efficiency of one type of shot, why you think he couldn't do same for 3-point shot for example next season?

Just saw this stat. It helps explain where I was going a bit...

Curry's 15-16 percentages by distance:

0-3 feet - 59-79 (.747)
3-10 feet - 20-39 (.513)
10-16 feet - 8-21 (.381)
16 feet-3 pt - 22-42 (.524)
3-point - 102-222 (.459)


I know Curry is on another planet. But a huge part of that is because he's so very good with his efficiency at the two most desired shots in today's NBA... at the rim and behind the arc. Having an efficient 15-foot shooting PG is sort of like getting excited that he's also one of the league's best shotblockers for his position.

Meh.