The 2010 @tH Approval Ratings: David West
by Rohan on Aug 11, 2010 12:00 PM CDT
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PrintPositives: Team's most productive player, posted another borderline All-Star campaign (18.9 PER, 111 ORtg on 24% usage), took on a significant amount of the team's scoring load, posted the best assist rate of his career as he continued to evolve as a passer (almost 14 assists per 100 offensive possessions), continued to limit turnovers despite extensive ball handling, 86.5% from the foul line, career high 81 games played, another understate but highly effective season
Negatives: Offensive rebounding declined for the sixth straight season (seriously), career low defensive rebounding rate and career low total rebounding rate, paired with Emeka Okafor to play very poor post defense
My Grade: 4
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Four's About Right
Because of the injuries to Paul this season, West became the team’s motor, heart and go to guy this season. Continuing his strong play, West put up another solid season (even if his numbers are down from where they were the last two seasons). West has been as dependable and reliable a player as the Hornets have had on the roster and is the longest tentured Hornet, the only player remaining from the team’s last year in the Eastern Conference. Given all the pressure put on him having to deal with thin rosters, 9 man rotations, playing with rookies and unproven players and still showing up to work, putting up great numbers and never openly complaining, West deserves a medal. He was terrific this season for the Hornets.
"You play to win the game."
Wow
The Pacers got Darren Collison for nothing. All they had to do was give up Troy Murphy. What a move by Bird.
I think Hornets could have gotten more for Collison but Demps probably wanted to show CP3 that they’re dedicated to winning and brought him some help.
Yeah
fix this before too many people start grading JuJu again…
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Terrible
I think Hornets could have gotten a lot more for a talent like Collison. This move was made to appease CP3 and show him Hornets are willing to bring in guys to help him. Even though their heads were in the right place, I don’t think they enough value in return.
What Were They Supposed To Get
For a player who played really well but isn’t seen as someone who is much more likely to improve? I would have liked the Hornets to get a legitimate superstar in return for Collison, but how likely was that to happen? Were you expecting him to be moved for Granger? Come on. Get realistic.
They moved Collison and got rid of James Poseys’ contract and were able to bring in Trevor Ariza and Marco Belinelli. These moves definitely improved the team and maybe convincing a team like Sacramento to give up Landry for Peja or any other move similar to that for Peja’s expiring contract, and the Hornets position themselves to win the division this year.
I think these are great moves.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Aug 11, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow
Are you really boasting Marco Belinelli. I thought he was dead.
As Opposed To Julian Wright
?
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Aug 11, 2010 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions
A shooter who can space the floor off the bench (Belinelli)
Versus a guy who plays like he’s never seen the game of basketball before? (Wright)
Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003
Falcons are my life,
Falcons are my soul,
I watch them through all the strife,
Until they get that Superbowl.
+1
Unfortunately, Collison was rated too highly by most of us Hornet fans. Ariza is a fantastic role player in the Battier mold – they don’t grow on trees. Plus he’s CP3’s age and should grow with Thornton and QPon for years to come.
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
Wait a minute...
is someone else running in here acting like they know something about the Hornets? LMAO. MrWayneKeller I agree, as opposed to Julian Wright? LOL! I couldn’t believe my eyes sometimes when I was watching Julian. I stayed optimistic for so long about him. The guy looks like he absolutely didn’t know what the he** he was doing out there. He was athletic. THAT. IS. ALL. I’m willing to bet providing there are no injuries, Ariza will bring more production to the Hornets than both Posey AND Wright.
The Hornets aren’t finished. The offseason isn’t over.
I Loved Julian Wright
But he’s the protytipical athlete without a true position.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Aug 11, 2010 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
David West
The key for West is whether he could convert to playing small forward. There, his rebounding deficiencies would not be a problem.
He certainly has the ball handling and passing ability to play small forward and has enough range on his shot to play on the wing (whcih is where he seems to play half the time anyway). And his general all-round game would be ideal at small forward, rather than at power forward. He could almost be a Scottie Pippen type on offense from the small forward position (obviously not quite to the same extent as the soon-to be Hall of Fame inducted Pippen).
The big question mark is on defense. Unfortunately, a lot of NBA teams play swingmen at the small forward slot these days and it may be a tough assignment to expect DW to run around guarding 6’7" guard-forwards on the perimeter.
Anyone, think David West could convert to being a small forward?
Not in a million years
He is much too slow to chase around modern day SF’s and offensively he’d never be able to get around any of them. His ball-handling skills you speak of would become a negative and comparing him to Scottie Pippen is to put it nicely, eye-popping…
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West
I think you underrate West’s ballhandling. When Chris Paul went down West displayed a very nice all round game, especially toward the end of the season. He averaged 21ppg, 7 rpg 4asp in his last 22 games, including a 35 point, 10 rebound and 6 assist effort in his last game of the season. Pretty all round stats.
While it’s true he would have more difficulty “getting around” SFs. It also goes without saying that he could murder most SFs in the post.
I think DW at SF is probably the best solution. At PF, he’s a good scorer and ball handler, but he’s a rebounding liability is not something you want to see at PF. Besides, on offense, he already plays like a SF, taking all those jumpers and slashing etc.
Just my thought.
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