Kekgeek grades G69 vs nuggets

[kekgeek]

Conley: B-
Ant: A-
Mcdaniels: A+
Naw: C
Slow Mo: B+
Garza: C+
Jmac: C
Warren: C
Morris: B

Great team effort today

[Q-is-here]

I'd downgrade Garza to a C- or D. I know he battled his ass off - no qualms there. But given his constraints defensively, we REALLY needed him to do the one thing he knows how to do and that's score the ball efficiently. He missed a bunch of open 3s, fumbled away a post entry pass, and missed a critical free throw and pretty automatic jump hook he usually makes. If he's not converting on > 50% of his chances (in true shooting percentage terms) then he is more of a liability than an asset.

[Carlos Danger]

I'd downgrade Garza to a C- or D. I know he battled his ass off - no qualms there. But given his constraints defensively, we REALLY needed him to do the one thing he knows how to do and that's score the ball efficiently. He missed a bunch of open 3s, fumbled away a post entry pass, and missed a critical free throw and pretty automatic jump hook he usually makes. If he's not converting on > 50% of his chances (in true shooting percentage terms) then he is more of a liability than an asset.

It's a much finer line than that though. He made two out of three from inside the three point land. No complaints there. But (as you pointed out in other recent points), now everyone wants their 7 foot guys shooting 3 pointers because of the math . He was 2 for 8 from three which equates to only .250%. Of course, if he had made just one more that jumps to .375% from three which we would all look at as perfectly acceptable (Edwards shoot .371 from three). So...one make or miss completely changes your perspective in that regard.

[Q-is-here]

I'd downgrade Garza to a C- or D. I know he battled his ass off - no qualms there. But given his constraints defensively, we REALLY needed him to do the one thing he knows how to do and that's score the ball efficiently. He missed a bunch of open 3s, fumbled away a post entry pass, and missed a critical free throw and pretty automatic jump hook he usually makes. If he's not converting on > 50% of his chances (in true shooting percentage terms) then he is more of a liability than an asset.

It's a much finer line than that though. He made two out of three from inside the three point land. No complaints there. But (as you pointed out in other recent points), now everyone wants their 7 foot guys shooting 3 pointers because of the math . He was 2 for 8 from three which equates to only .250%. Of course, if he had made just one more that jumps to .375% from three which we would all look at as perfectly acceptable (Edwards shoot .371 from three). So...one make or miss completely changes your perspective in that regard.

Him making one extra 3 also may have completely changed the outcome of the game. Also, may be he still goes 2-8 from 3, but 3-3 from 2 plus 2 for 2 from the line. Same amount of points, but in a different way. That also would change my perspective and potentially outcome of the game. And mind you that neither of those extra 3 points would earn him an A in my book. But yeah, he gets into B territory by simply making another 3 or converting on all his 2s and and both FTAs.

[Carlos Danger]

Him making one extra 3 also may have completely changed the outcome of the game. Also, may be he still goes 2-8 from 3, but 3-3 from 2 plus 2 for 2 from the line. Same amount of points, but in a different way. That also would change my perspective and potentially outcome of the game. And mind you that neither of those extra 3 points would earn him an A in my book. But yeah, he gets into B territory by simply making another 3 or converting on all his 2s and and both FTAs.

I don't disagree with anything you wrote. Still...he filled up the box pretty well: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a block in only 22 minutes. That's a solid C in my book. He had a tough assignment last night and I am perfectly fine with my third Center putting up those numbers against a tough Denver line up.

[Q-is-here]

Him making one extra 3 also may have completely changed the outcome of the game. Also, may be he still goes 2-8 from 3, but 3-3 from 2 plus 2 for 2 from the line. Same amount of points, but in a different way. That also would change my perspective and potentially outcome of the game. And mind you that neither of those extra 3 points would earn him an A in my book. But yeah, he gets into B territory by simply making another 3 or converting on all his 2s and and both FTAs.

I don't disagree with anything you wrote. Still...he filled up the box pretty well: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a block in only 22 minutes. That's a solid C in my book. He had a tough assignment last night and I am perfectly fine with my third Center putting up those numbers against a tough Denver line up.

Fair points.

[FNG]

Q, I have to strongly side with kek and Carlos with respect to their C+ grade for Garza. I've been critical of his defense going back to his Iowa days, but I was quite impressed with how he held his ground against Jokic last night. The Wolves like to defend Joker like no other team...preferring to not double him to limit his assists. I was quite concerned about how this might work out with both KAT and Rudy out (it might have actually been a blessing that Naz was out), I was quite impressed with how SloMo and Luka defended Joker. He normally accounts for 44 points on a given night (counting points and assists) and our centers held him to 39. I consider that a victory in light of our 3 centers being out.

It actually occurred to me that Jokic might actually be a good matchup for Luka. Luka is very slow-footed, but Nikola isn't exactly Willie Mays Hayes. Joker thrives when he can use his strength to establish paint position from where he is unstoppable. Luka is strong, and I thought he bodied up and kept Jokic away from the basket as well as anyone I've seen this year. Sure, we wanted him to hit one or two more open threes, but his defense made up for that IMO.

Edit: sorry about the piling on, Q...hadn't seen your response to Anthony above.