February 23, 2009

Joe Schaller

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

Neither the Blazers or Jazz are particularly good defensive clubs however they offset their weakness with other strengths- offensive rebounding is something they both do very well.

Portland Trail Blazers
Their excellent 3-point shooting puts the Blazers at #8 in adjusted field goal percentage. They are only #20 in defensive adj fg% however they are easily the best offensive rebounding team in the league and that adds to their offensive punch.

I didn't expect Portland to be this good and the primary reasons for their overachieving are four;
1. The progression of Brandon Roy 155 from a 99 rookie TPR to 124 his soph season to his 155 superstar status.
2. Sixth man rookie Rudy Fernandez 109.5 bringing the complete game of a veteran off the bench.
3. Most Improved contender Steve Blake 101 who has shored up what would have been the weak link at point guard.
4. Another Most Improved contender Joel Przybilla 84.5 who has filled another potential weakness at center.

minutes___________TPR

• 2013_LaMarcus Aldridge_114
  
• 1909_Brandon Roy_____155
  
• 1480_Travis Outlaw____85
  
• 1406_Rudy Fernandez__109.5
  
• 1276_Steve Blake_____101
  
• 1212_Joel Przybilla____84.5
  
• 1053_Greg Oden______83
  
• 968__Nicolas Batum___74.5
  
• 932__Sergio Rodriguez_66
  
• 495__Jerryd Bayless___46

Utah Jazz
Their #9 ranking in off adj fg% does not take into account their ability to get to the free throw line. Combine that with their great offensive rebounding and the Jazz are an offensive force. If Carlos Boozer ever returns it will take their offense up even another notch.

It's actually surprising the Jazz have hung in so well with so many significant injuries. Paul Millsap 118 has performed at an allstar level despite a recent decline however it has been sixth man Andrei Kirilenko 137.5 who has had the greatest impact. Andrei is back to his whirling dervish ways of four or five years ago with a complete game featuring his first team all-defender status. Not surprisingly this has gone unnoticed by the media pundits.

With Deron Williams 123.5 getting back to normal the club is ready to make a run. The TPR of Brevin Knight 59.5 and Ronnie Price 40 reveal just how important Deron's presence is.

Notable is the impressive performance of rookie center Kosta Koufos 101.5 in limited minutes.

minutes___________TPR

• 1747_Ronnie Brewer__107
  
• 1644_Mehmet Okur___109.5
  
• 1613_Paul Millsap____118
  
• 1519_Deron Williams__123.5
  
• 1224_C J Miles_______76
  
• 1204_Kyle Korver_____69.5
  
• 1194_Andrei Kirilenko_137.5
  
• 699__Ronnie Price____40
  
• 680__Brevin Knight___59.5
  
• 565__Kosta Koufos___101.5
  
• 505__Matt Harpring___98.5

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