January 25, 2009

Joe Schaller

TPR scale: 180+ MVP, 140+ superstar, 110+ allstar, 85+ starter, 65+ bench

Phoenix; I decided to compare current TPR with my preseason projected TPR.

minutes___________current__projected

• 1514_Amare Stoudemire_125__170
  
• 1256_Steve Nash______100__120
  
• 1172_Grant Hill_________93__90
  
• 1037_Shaquille O'Neal___119__95
  
• 957__Matt Barnes______71___70
  
• 804__Leandro Barbosa_114__110
  
• 648__Jason Richardson__93__120

The Suns are #1 in adjusted field goal percentage but only #17 in defensive %. What is more revealing is the #29 ranking in turnovers and #26 in creating turnovers. This indicates the offense is not as good as we might think and the defense even worse.

The enigma of the Suns is all about Shaq. Just when it seemed he was washed up he puts in a strong performance. Yet his superstar days are still long gone and Shaq's gains seem to translate into Amare and Nash's loss. With Shaq taking defensive pressure off Amare I expected big things however Shaq doesn't open up the middle on offense. Nash's huge turnover numbers indicate a serious disconnect.

I would also expect much more from Richardson yet he is better suited for an up tempo style. This has become a team with two faces, the face of D'Antoni and the face of Shaq (thanks to Steve Kerr and Terry Porter). The future of the Suns is Stoudemire and Richardson facilitated by Nash and as long as Shaq is the feature guy the present looks dim.

Detroit; The Pistons have nobody playing above expectations and most of the players underachieving. Should any of us be surprised? This just verifies what I've claimed for several years, Chauncey Billups is one of the most underrated players in the league and Allen Iverson one of the most overrated. AI is supposed to be an offensive force yet it is the Pistons offense which has suffered the most, ranked at #23 in adj fg%. His inclusion in the allstar game is one of the all time travesties.

The power rotation is a big disappointment with two veterans and two rising talents sleepwalking.

Truth is there are no stars on this mediocre club.

minutes____________current__projected

• 1575_Tayshaun Prince__110__110
  
• 1440_Allen Iverson_____91___115
  
• 1240_Rasheed Wallace__83___105
  
• 1220_Rodney Stuckey___100__100
  
• 1157_Rip Hamilton______104__110
  
• 707__Arron Afflalo_______63___---
  
• 645__Jason Maxiell______91___105
  
• 606__Amir Johnson______93___110
  
• 542__Antonio McDyess___87___95

Total Performance Ratings-- since 1996

1. Scoring
   
2. Scoring Efficiency
   
3. Ballhandling
   
4. Rebounding
   
5. Disruptive Defense
   
6. One on one Defense
   
7. Team Defense
   
8. Team Game Pace
   
9. Schedule Strength
   
10. Projected Improvement or Decline
    
11. Teams Wins Adjustment

Ratings indicate productivity per minute played. See my feature "The TPR Formula" for more information.

• Joe Schaller
  
• 505-722-3103
  
• schaller_6@msn.com