Lamar Stevens: Junkyard Dog

[Dr No]

I don't know about that. Looking at the link you provided and comparing it to the same website's numbers for fast break points allowed per game, it shows that Oklahoma City allows the fewest fast break points per game but they are 8th in offensive rebounding. The Knicks are 3rd in offensive rebounding but have allowed the 4th fewest fast break points. The Suns are 5th in offensive rebounding but have allowed the 7th fewest fast break points.

Just because you rank high in offensive rebounds doesn't mean you give up a lot of fast break points. Charlotte is 9th in offensive rebounds and has allowed the 3rd fewest fast break points.

On the other end of the spectrum, Philadelphia is 28th in offensive rebounding but they also rank 28th in fast break points allowed. I don't think there's that strong a correlation between offensive rebounding and fast break points allowed. A lot of fast breaks come off turnovers and have nothing to do with missed shots. You also see fast breaks off missed layup attempts where the shooter ends up on the floor and out of bounds under the basket while the defending team grabs the rebound and has a 5-on-4 opportunity.

I'm not sure your comparison of fast break points and offensive rebounds helps a lot for the reason you bring up. It's true that "just because you rank high in offensive rebounds doesn't mean you give up a lot of fast break points" but its also true that a measure of the effect of offensive rebounds cannot be ascertained by looking at a blunt measure like total fast break points given up - For as you point out, lots of other things can lead to fast break points. In some ways its just common sense, it you are sending guys to the boards, they had better be very fast to get back if they don't get it and given the speed of players today, it may be too late even if they are. I think my basic point is still true - most of the best teams do not emphasis offensive rebounding for fear of what it does on the defensive end. This was gospel 5 years ago. Coaches like Pop were almost religiously anti-offensive rebounding and the numbers of offensive rebounds league wide plummeted for years. There has been some analytical pushback on that position recently, but just looking at the teams that are excelling at offensive rebounding this year, there doesn't seem to be a positive correlation between offensive rebounds and wins.

 

[Cavatt]

19 non corner 3's is such a small sample size its hard to know.

Lamar might be our best option at backup 3 right now. I am not in practice, wouldnt mind seeing Diakite there too, but not sure how much better if at all he would be than Lamar.

In the long run, I think Lamar is a career back of the roster type guy who when called on gives 100% effort. He will always have a place on my team as an in case of emergency break glass type of guy.

I'd say he should play Small ball 4. I don't think he is any good at the 3.

 

[Lee]

I'd say he should play Small ball 4. I don't think he is any good at the 3.

I meant 4, 100% agree.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Cavatt]

I meant 4, 100% agree.

Sorry for the confusion.

I guess really it is he and Mobley together as a front court that has been so good

 

[Omar The Horse]

I really appreciate the overall effort & energy

 

[Beanie4Heisman]

I really appreciate the overall effort & energy

This

We can chat analytics out the ass, but there's something to be said for crashing the glass and not passively backtracking to defense after a shot is hoisted.

In fact,  I'd venture to say it does nearly as much to slow down the opposing fast break as it requires additional bodies to be responsible in the paint and nearby surrounding areas to first ensure the ball is secured, so an imminent putback does not occur.

Now, I'm not suggesting we crash from the wings and top of the key, but as discussed, that's not often where Stevens is positioned within our sets. As a four rebounding offensively is well within his role, we'd be disappointed if Evan didn't crash the glass on offense. So when Evan's at the five, it seems only right someone else is doing so alongside him to keep the ball and possessions alive.

Glad Lamar is seeing and capitalizing on getting some run yet again!

 

[Cement]

 

[buzzdog]

If Lamar can keep knocking down those threes, along with the toughness he brings to the table, I see him as a definite playoff rotation piece.

 

[David.]

If Lamar can keep knocking down those threes, along with the toughness he brings to the table, I see him as a definite playoff rotation piece.

I think the problem I'm seeing going into the playoffs is that there is so much inconsistency with everyone not in the starting line up that you need to bring more players and see which one is going to go off that night.

Most of the time it's very apparent very quickly who will and won't have it that day

 

[HammerGold]

Lamarr would be one of the worst players in a playoff rotation from any team. Probably the worst of any top 4 seed. The guy is ass, analytics makes that clear.

 

[Kepler]

Lamarr would be one of the worst players in a playoff rotation from any team. Probably the worst of any top 4 seed. The guy is ass, analytics makes that clear.

lamar is decent but he's an eastern conference torrey craig

 

[David.]

Lamarr would be one of the worst players in a playoff rotation from any team. Probably the worst of any top 4 seed. The guy is ass, analytics makes that clear.

Which ones?

 

[2 For The Brew]

Lamar like many of our players is highly dependent on matchups.

 

[Lee]

The issue with Lamar is he is not a SF, sure he is 6'6, but he really cannot guard the and play the SF position from the start. But he is a high energy and effort guy who gives you everything he has. Lamar might be a few inches short for PF, but strength wise he is an ox.

for the end of the bench guy who is needed when we have injuries, I will take on my team every day of the week.

 

[Dr No]

The issue with Lamar is he is not a SF, sure he is 6'6, but he really cannot guard the and play the SF position from the start. But he is a high energy and effort guy who gives you everything he has. Lamar might be a few inches short for PF, but strength wise he is an ox.

for the end of the bench guy who is needed when we have injuries, I will take on my team every day of the week.

I agree. Lamar is a great guy to have. But last night was a lesson on why he can’t be a heavy part of a playoff rotation. Philly just dropped everyone, focused hard on DG & DM, and dared Okoro, Stevens, & Mobley to score from beyond the paint. Even though Stevens & Okoro shot a good percentage, Philly knew those 3 weren’t going to score enough from the perimeter to win. JBB saw it too and played Okoro & Stevens considerably less than Cedi & LeVert.