March 27, 2009

Joe Schaller

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

Boston Celtics
The absence of Kevin Garnett 152.5 has been the key element to Boston's slippage over last season. KG is back and gathering strength for the playoffs however TPR analysis shows a decline in team TPR from 120 to 114.

The Good; Boston's guard rotation is second to none. Ray Allen 135 is well over last years performance and at the top of his game. Rajon Rondo 128 has established himself as one of the league's premier point guards yet it is Eddie House 120 who has rescued a disappointing bench with his pin-point shooting.

The Bad; The turnover prone Paul Pierce 118 is well below last years career TPR but is gathering steam. KG as well is well below last year.
The performance of Tony Allen 97 more than made up for the loss of James Posey however his injuries have severely limited his playing time and will not likely be at full strength for the playoffs.
The rest of the role players are below expectations as shown in the chart below and it is doubtful whether Stephon Marbury or Mikki Moore can improve on that.

minutes__________TPR_'07-'08

• 2680_Paul Pierce_____118___144
  
• 2559_Ray Allen______135___118
  
• 2315_Rajon Rondo____128___120
  
• 1903_Kendrick Perkins_78.5__87
  
• 1737_Kevin Garnett___152.5__186
  
• 1261_Glen Davis______58____67
  
• 1249_Eddie House____120___105
  
• 1183_Leon Powe_____98.5__123
  
• 762__Tony Allen______97____82
  
• Boston Celtics team__114.1__120.4

Los Angeles Lakers
L.A.'s team TPR has slipped from 115 to 111 from last year. The bench is the primary concern.

The Good; The lifesaver for the Lakers has been quick forward Trevor Ariza 117, proving to be more valuable than Lamar Odom 101.5. Ariza's athleticism has been something lacking on the club and he has earned his position as starter.
The other stars are performing up to expectations. Pau Gasol 147 is a fixture as one of the league's top twenty and Kobe Bryant 168 continues as one of the top five although his inclusion as an MVP contender is just another of the many Kobe media myths.

The Bad; The loss of Andrew Bynum 123.5 is huge. He provided the perfect defensive presence in the power rotation and without him the Lakers weakness is defense. With Bynum I regard the club on equal standing with my clear favorite Cleveland.
Sasha Vujacic' 89.5 return to earth was expected however Jordan Farmar's 63 struggles are a mystery just when he seemed ready to be allstar material. Luke Walton 58.5 is not pulling his weight and Josh Powell 32.5 is a defensive liability.
Considering last seasons TPR of Vlad Radmanovich 81 and Rony Turiaf 93 the Lakers bench has shown a major decline.

minutes__________TPR_'07-'08

• 2510_Kobe Bryant____168___168
  
• 2501_Pau Gasol______147___157
  
• 2123_Derek Fisher_____81____93
  
• 1899_Lamar Odom____101.5__105
  
• 1658_Trevor Ariza_____117___---
  
• 1339_Andrew Bynum__123.5__153
  
• 1077_Sasha Vujacic____89.5__115
  
• 986__Jordan Farmar___63____106
  
• 926__Luke Walton_____58.5__76
  
• 563__Josh Powell______32.5__---
  
• L.A.Lakers team______111.2__114.9

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