Pork-O-Meter

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Phenom, I don't disagree with you about carving out our own identity with Ricky, but obviously it won't matter if he can't keep himself on the floor. Even when he plays now, he doesn't quite seem 100% and we're all holding our breath.

Let's hope he finally overcomes this and gets stronger as the season progresses, but it's been a bit frustrating ever since his original ankle sprain took place early last season. It's like the never-ending journey to recover.

[Porckchop]

I think the most alarming thing about this whole situation is that the fans would be ok just moving on from such a talented player. When he plays he is a difference maker and he isn't a jackass off the court. Why is it that when things do no fit into a neat little box, the fans want to move good players? I see a few compare our team to others in saying it cant work with him because no one else does it that way. Thats asinine on its own but what is overlooked when making comparisons is that many other teams thrive with two quality+ point guards. Why can't the Wolves have their Ricky and someone else to supplement him? Why is it all or nothing?

He plays 30+ MPG's and makes 14 million a year. That kind of player can't come off the bench or sit on the bench in the 4th quarter when the other team can take advantage of his shortcomings. Unless you can bench him for someone on a rookie deal it would take up too many resources to keep him and find someone else to go with him. Also, if 30 teams haven't been successful playing a specific way since 2008, why are we the exception to the rule? At our best with him playing 82 games on one of the best starting 5's in the league, we were .500. We're not the exception to the rule and to think we could be is the asinine way of thinking. These teams with multiple quality PG's like the Suns don't have one of the worst shooters of all time as one of their PG's.

Just because no one else has had a Ricky doesn't mean we can't be successful with him. This seems lazy to me. I hope the coaching staff is more ambitious. Time for the Wolves to make their own mark. Trying to emulate teams when we don't have their personnel is an act of futility. We have been trying to be the Oklahoma City Thunder for about 5 years now.

Every team has had their share of Rickys. A player that can't stay healthy or reach his potential? Aren't those a dime a dozen in all of sports?

[maelstrom11 [enjin:6599701]]

I'm with Mstermisty...20% pork chop. The ankle could be chronic and no way he lasts 7-8 years. When he's on the court we are a better team. LaVine will push him in the very near future or play alongside him. Tyus will play behind him for at least 4-5 years...

[Phenom]

I think the most alarming thing about this whole situation is that the fans would be ok just moving on from such a talented player. When he plays he is a difference maker and he isn't a jackass off the court. Why is it that when things do no fit into a neat little box, the fans want to move good players? I see a few compare our team to others in saying it cant work with him because no one else does it that way. Thats asinine on its own but what is overlooked when making comparisons is that many other teams thrive with two quality+ point guards. Why can't the Wolves have their Ricky and someone else to supplement him? Why is it all or nothing?

He plays 30+ MPG's and makes 14 million a year. That kind of player can't come off the bench or sit on the bench in the 4th quarter when the other team can take advantage of his shortcomings. Unless you can bench him for someone on a rookie deal it would take up too many resources to keep him and find someone else to go with him. Also, if 30 teams haven't been successful playing a specific way since 2008, why are we the exception to the rule? At our best with him playing 82 games on one of the best starting 5's in the league, we were .500. We're not the exception to the rule and to think we could be is the asinine way of thinking. These teams with multiple quality PG's like the Suns don't have one of the worst shooters of all time as one of their PG's.

Just because no one else has had a Ricky doesn't mean we can't be successful with him. This seems lazy to me. I hope the coaching staff is more ambitious. Time for the Wolves to make their own mark. Trying to emulate teams when we don't have their personnel is an act of futility. We have been trying to be the Oklahoma City Thunder for about 5 years now.

Every team has had their share of Rickys. A player that can't stay healthy or reach his potential? Aren't those a dime a dozen in all of sports?

*rolls eyes*

By the way Q and Mikkeman have posted plenty of tangible evidence about Ricky's actual contributions. People can argue about him making improvements but he is already doing so much at a high level. I am really fine with people doubting his health. I don't blame anyone for taking his health for what it is. I just don't believe he is doomed just yet. But he isn't a Michael Beasley or Darko Milicic who are just hope and no substance.

[Monster]

CAM-- Also, he's lost a lot of the flare that he used to play with. It kinda gave him an edge that he no longer has to that degree.

I wonder why this is? Was it injuries? Was it coached out of him? Did teams just adjust to him? Agree we don't have the original Ricky. Sad.

He has lost some flair on both ends of the court but he is a better defender and has a much lower turnover rate now. Earlier this year he seemed more aggressive like I saw him his rookie year.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Ricky is a dynamic two way player and he's worth keeping on the roster and he's not breaking the bank in any way. A completely separate issue is whether to have a backup point guard who can give quality starter minutes. Absolutely yes. When we are ready for a title run, I imagine we'll have another quality point guard on the roster. So I lose no sleep worrying about Ricky's health.

[Porckchop]

I think the most alarming thing about this whole situation is that the fans would be ok just moving on from such a talented player. When he plays he is a difference maker and he isn't a jackass off the court. Why is it that when things do no fit into a neat little box, the fans want to move good players? I see a few compare our team to others in saying it cant work with him because no one else does it that way. Thats asinine on its own but what is overlooked when making comparisons is that many other teams thrive with two quality+ point guards. Why can't the Wolves have their Ricky and someone else to supplement him? Why is it all or nothing?

He plays 30+ MPG's and makes 14 million a year. That kind of player can't come off the bench or sit on the bench in the 4th quarter when the other team can take advantage of his shortcomings. Unless you can bench him for someone on a rookie deal it would take up too many resources to keep him and find someone else to go with him. Also, if 30 teams haven't been successful playing a specific way since 2008, why are we the exception to the rule? At our best with him playing 82 games on one of the best starting 5's in the league, we were .500. We're not the exception to the rule and to think we could be is the asinine way of thinking. These teams with multiple quality PG's like the Suns don't have one of the worst shooters of all time as one of their PG's.

Just because no one else has had a Ricky doesn't mean we can't be successful with him. This seems lazy to me. I hope the coaching staff is more ambitious. Time for the Wolves to make their own mark. Trying to emulate teams when we don't have their personnel is an act of futility. We have been trying to be the Oklahoma City Thunder for about 5 years now.

Every team has had their share of Rickys. A player that can't stay healthy or reach his potential? Aren't those a dime a dozen in all of sports?

*rolls eyes*

By the way Q and Mikkeman have posted plenty of tangible evidence about Ricky's actual contributions. People can argue about him making improvements but he is already doing so much at a high level. I am really fine with people doubting his health. I don't blame anyone for taking his health for what it is. I just don't believe he is doomed just yet. But he isn't a Michael Beasley or Darko Milicic who are just hope and no substance.

*rolls eyes*

For dramatic effect?

[Phenom]

I think the most alarming thing about this whole situation is that the fans would be ok just moving on from such a talented player. When he plays he is a difference maker and he isn't a jackass off the court. Why is it that when things do no fit into a neat little box, the fans want to move good players? I see a few compare our team to others in saying it cant work with him because no one else does it that way. Thats asinine on its own but what is overlooked when making comparisons is that many other teams thrive with two quality+ point guards. Why can't the Wolves have their Ricky and someone else to supplement him? Why is it all or nothing?

He plays 30+ MPG's and makes 14 million a year. That kind of player can't come off the bench or sit on the bench in the 4th quarter when the other team can take advantage of his shortcomings. Unless you can bench him for someone on a rookie deal it would take up too many resources to keep him and find someone else to go with him. Also, if 30 teams haven't been successful playing a specific way since 2008, why are we the exception to the rule? At our best with him playing 82 games on one of the best starting 5's in the league, we were .500. We're not the exception to the rule and to think we could be is the asinine way of thinking. These teams with multiple quality PG's like the Suns don't have one of the worst shooters of all time as one of their PG's.

Just because no one else has had a Ricky doesn't mean we can't be successful with him. This seems lazy to me. I hope the coaching staff is more ambitious. Time for the Wolves to make their own mark. Trying to emulate teams when we don't have their personnel is an act of futility. We have been trying to be the Oklahoma City Thunder for about 5 years now.

Every team has had their share of Rickys. A player that can't stay healthy or reach his potential? Aren't those a dime a dozen in all of sports?

*rolls eyes*

By the way Q and Mikkeman have posted plenty of tangible evidence about Ricky's actual contributions. People can argue about him making improvements but he is already doing so much at a high level. I am really fine with people doubting his health. I don't blame anyone for taking his health for what it is. I just don't believe he is doomed just yet. But he isn't a Michael Beasley or Darko Milicic who are just hope and no substance.

*rolls eyes*

For dramatic affect?

Because you are so clever.

[MikkeMan]

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.

[Porckchop]

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.

13-14 season is his only healthy season where he played all 82 games. He hasn't come close otherwise. Would it be fair to assume if he had played all 82 games his percentages would prolly return to the mean. Thanks for the info