My defense of Morris Peterson was more popular than I thought it would be, getting linked by Truehoop and Kelly Dwyer at Yahoo! and was mentioned on The Basketball Jones podcast. So here's a little follow-up posting my full table of 5th options. Again, this list was created by taking the lowest-scoring player with starts in at least half their team's games. I made a few judgement calls - like Josh Boone over Collins in New Jersey, since I believe Boone is starting now. For three teams it wasn't obvious who is the real fifth starter - mostly because of lineups being shuffled a lot or injuries.
And again - this is purely evaluation as a scoring production. I know some of these guys are out there for rebounding or defense, but the fact remains that as a fifth scoring option amongst the starters, Mo Peterson produces well, and a lot of these other guys don't. I'm talking to you, Ben Wallace. Oh- I also realized I was probably unfair to Troy Murphy in the original post. He's a better scorer than Mo Pete too.
| Team | Player | PPG | MIN | Points Per 48 |
| Jazz | R. Brewer | 11.9 | 28.6 | 20.0 |
| Pacers | T. Murphy | 10.2 | 25.8 | 19.0 |
| Warriors | A. Biedrins | 10.2 | 28.0 | 17.5 |
| Suns | R. Bell | 12.3 | 34.4 | 17.2 |
| Hornets | M. Peterson | 8.5 | 24.3 | 16.8 |
| Nets | J. Boone | 7.4 | 22.6 | 15.7 |
| Magic | K. Bogans | 9.6 | 29.3 | 15.7 |
| Pistons | A. McDyess | 9.9 | 31.0 | 15.3 |
| Bucks | D. Mason | 8.0 | 26.1 | 14.7 |
| Timberwolves | M. Jaric | 8.7 | 29.1 | 14.4 |
| Celtics | K. Perkins | 7.4 | 24.9 | 14.3 |
| Cavaliers | S. Pavlovic | 7.3 | 24.6 | 14.2 |
| Heat | D. Wright | 6.9 | 23.5 | 14.1 |
| Sonics | K. Thomas | 7.3 | 25.6 | 13.7 |
| Wizards | A. Daniels | 9.0 | 31.8 | 13.6 |
| Lakers | L. Walton | 7.2 | 25.4 | 13.6 |
| Kings | M. Moore | 8.0 | 28.9 | 13.3 |
| Raptors | J. Moon | 8.0 | 29.0 | 13.2 |
| Nuggets | A. Carter | 8.0 | 30.2 | 12.7 |
| Spurs | F. Oberto | 5.0 | 20.7 | 11.6 |
| Hawks | A. Johnson | 6.6 | 27.7 | 11.4 |
| Blazers | J. Przybilla | 4.8 | 20.9 | 11.0 |
| Clippers | Q. Ross | 4.2 | 20.1 | 10.0 |
| 76ers | R. Evans | 5.0 | 25.2 | 9.5 |
| Mavericks | E. Jones | 3.4 | 19.1 | 8.5 |
| Rockets | C. Hayes | 3.1 | 21.9 | 6.8 |
| Bulls | B. Wallace | 4.5 | 32.5 | 6.6 |
| Bobcats | None | |||
| Grizzlies | None | |||
| Knicks | None |
And to close this post, I'm going to pluck out a comment made by Wow from the original post, since his question got me thinking, and post my reply and his as well.
Wow: Uh I got linked here from Truehoop but mopete isn't supposed to be the 5th scoring option... you're saying tyson chandler is better endowed in scoring than mopete? WHAT THE HELL?
Ryan: Indeed - that's exactly what I'm saying. Tyson Chandler's ability to finish around the rim makes him a vital offensive peice. A player doesn't have to commence a play as long as he's capable of finishing it. It's the same premise as a pick and pop/roll or a drive and kick. That leads to another point. Good offensive players don't have to be offensive creators. You really should only have two, maybe three of those sorts of players on your team - otherwise everyone needs the ball in their hands to score. The Hornets are perfectly designed in this respect. They have creators in Paul and West and Pargo/Bobby off the bench and exceptional finishers in Peja, Chandler and Pete. Look at the Spurs - they have creators in Duncan and Parker - with Ginobili off the bench. Bowen, Finley, Barry, Horry, even Oberto - they are all finishers.
Wow: After mulling it over I see your point... but isn't Chandler's increased role on offense also due to the fact that Peterson's offense has digressed? Man, I guess I just miss the the MoPete from 2 years back.
So what do the rest of you think? Would you rather have a few creators and a crew of finishers around them? Or do you think having more creators than that does help a team? The Warriors seem to be built that way with Davis, Ellis, Jackson, Harrington and Azubuike all capable creators. Which would you prefer?
5 exceptional comments post your own
Ron Hitley
01/31/08 08:08 AM
I like the makeup of the Hornets. Mo-Pete is playing his role to perfection. Even when he's not scoring, he spaces the floor well and the defense has to respect his outside shot, so they can't leave him much to double team. It's crazy seeing Desmond Mason there as a fifth option. For stretches last season, he was the Hornets primary offensive weapon *shudder* How the times have changed.
www.hornets247.com #1
Ryan Schwan
01/31/08 08:28 AM
I guess they don't need awkward post up moves and lots of turnovers in Milwaukee. Though I miss his free throws. I believe you once said he looked like a 'retarded camel' while shooting them Ron. Agreed.
www.hornets247.com #2
Steve H
01/31/08 11:31 AM
1st off- love your defense of Mo-Pete, think you are absolutely right. 2nd- I am even sick of seeing myself post the same trade suggestions- so this is the last time I am doing that, but NOW is exactly the time to make some moves if the bees are really going to contend in the play-offs. We REALLY REALLY should have Bennett on speed dial for the moment the Birdman situation clears up. Seattle has three good, but not great PGs- two of which are pulling down apprx 6mil a year for the next 2 years. They have no real center other than Thomas- who while still a good stopper on D that can score from mid range- has no future on a rebuilding team. They have a 6'6" SF/SG in Wilkins who can score and play D, clocks in for 3 mil a year for the next 2 years, and is an after-though behind Durant,Green and Szerbiak. The Hornets NEED a quality back up PG to spell CP3. B-Jax and JP are both water-bug streak shooting 2 guards that can fill in at PG, but neither is a true distributor- and the second unit suffers when they are not shooting the lights out. We need a consistant second unit SCORER that can get to the hoop if his jumper is not falling, and who can also play D. Finally, we have seemed vulnerable in the middle this year whenever TC comes off the court. I still think Hilton has a ton of potential- but his prodution on both ends has been disapointing. Ely has been consistantly inconsistant. The Sonics could trim their pay-roll with either B-Jax or JP (6 mil for ONE year/2 Mil for ONE year) without losing production- and aquire a REAL center prospect in either Hilton or Birdman. If they could us Butler-give them Butler. Want a draft pick? Hell, give them 1 and 2 next year. If we could pick up Ridnour or Watson or West- and Wilkins and Thomas- our bench would be as deep as any in the NBA. Men would fear us, women would love us, children would... well, you get the idea. PLUS, Shinn has something that NOBODY else in the leagu can bring to the table- a promise NOT to compete for the OKC relocation market. This make too much sense not to come true.
#3
Greg
01/31/08 12:27 PM
Completely irrelivant, but Fluffy made the ALl-Star team! Thank god the coaches vote for the reserves.
www.nbawire.com/boards/index.php #4
Ron Hitley
01/31/08 12:57 PM
Got it in a fresh post, Greg. @Steve: Damn, some thought went into that. I'm sure Jeff Bower is exploring the options. I think I heard something about Delonte West being unhappy with his PT up in Seattle, so he would likely be among the offerings if the Sonics want to deal. Don't forget though that our draft picks are getting much less tempting now that we're winning on the regular.
www.hornets247.com #5