benhillboy

I thought DJ could play off the ball some but he revealed to me pretty early that he couldn’t/ wouldn’t. More Derozan rubbed off on him when it should’ve been White. In two seasons have we ever seen DJ set a solid screen and cut through the lane dragging a defender? Nope.

That guy gets it. Limited minutes (because Spo likes to play Rozier over him for some outlandish reason smh) but still lead the entire reigning East champs roster in on/off: He does everything Trae doesn’t, Trae does everything he doesn’t. No gross overlapping of strengths and weaknesses like with DJ. Sh*t was obvious when Nate finally got some brains and played them together. I’ve always envisioned Grayson Allen fitting excellently next to Trae as well.

In my 15 years here I’ve tried to help the board become more progressive. I lament the fact that I’ve failed miserably. I posted this before but I need to again: https://hoopshype.com/lists/advanced-stats-nba-real-plus-minus-rapm-win-shares-analytics/ If you aren’t starting your statistical analysis with +/- you’re in error. When you’ve studied as long as I have and watch as much ball around the Association as I have/ do you don’t need all the variations of the metric that appear at the top of these rankings. I understand Trae’s poor on/off standing (even negative on court during the Conference Finals run) turns about 90% of this board off to advanced metrics, and that’s terribly unfortunate. We aren’t a serious community. Dominique calling games has a lot to do with it believe it or not. He’s a droning idiot when it comes to articulating the game and marrying stats with film. I listen to nearly all of the leagues broadcast teams, Cleveland’s player analyst is probably the only one as bad as Nique. Anyway, this season’s on/off for players playing over 1,000 minutes nearly aligns perfectly with my eyes for a couple years now: Bogi, Saddiq, and Jalen would help any team through attributes I’ve touched on many times. Trae, DJ, and Dre are simply roster spot holders who would hurt or have no effect on most teams, also deconstructed their games backwards and forward detailing why. OO and Clint simply need changes of scenery as both provide winning traits off the bench. Yall have to let go of the sacred position Trae holds. When he and/or DJ are finally moved don’t blow a gasket at how paltry the returns are. Trae had exceptional value on a rookie deal. Atrocious on a max, as I repeat for the 100th time since he signed with nothing happening in that time to prove me wrong besides blaming other players, management, and ownership. Max players drive net ratings and winning, simple as that. Our scrubs play above .500 with him out in between 7 straight losses with him and you all still rack your brains on how to build around him? Newsflash, players who require perfect fits (which isn’t possible anyway) all across the roster aren’t good players. Did yall see the impact Delon had on the heat demolishing the sane team that crushed us? This is what I mean by players who are portable across the league. If you can’t defend and play off ball (which Trae and DJ fail at miserably) this league has passed you by. There are so many rapidly improving guards now, let alone wings and Bigs who not only can exert physicality on the game but are considerably more intelligent than those two. Hawks are behind the curve for years to come, luxury tax paid or not. I’ve hated watching Trae for 5 years worth of his career no question, but without him as a control reference I wouldn’t have known SGA (+11.4 on/off), Brunson (+11.8), and Haliburton (+5.7) would all make MVP level jumps, all having to deal with injuries/ youth/ talent hurdles these past couple seasons. You gotta know the bad to be able to distinguish the good. He’s nowhere near their class now, let alone Luka. The question now is can Trae be the best player on the floor even against dudes like Sexton, Coby White,Anfernee Simons, and LaMelo? Rant over, I gotta hit yall with some reality without the glasses every so often. Here are just a few notable stats you omitted A: Offensive & Defensive Ratings eFG/ TS Field goals added Dunks Corner 3 Screen assists & Cut baskets (one of the worst aspects of this team from a guard and wing standpoint) Average Field goal distance/ percentages And 1 Offensive fouls drawn Triple doubles Double doubles Deflections

Too many times we focus on what the Hawks did wrong. Half the time you just have to tip your hat to the opposition. A reigning (deserved) First Team defender in Caruso, a questionable HOF candidate in DeRozan (46% per BB Ref), and a young, rapidly improving guard in White in a class of many who will give the Hawks fits for years to come trust me (Suggs, Anthony, Sexton, Pritchett, Ivey, Merrill, Podziemski, Wallace) is simply too much for the Hawks to handle, as both teams were without 3 key rotation players (Jalen. OO, Bey, LaVine, Ball, and Patterson all Top 100 players when healthy). With no leadership it’s simply impossible to play at a playoff level through injuries. Anyway I enjoyed watching Bogi’s steady improvement, Jalen’s big jump, Dre’s career -best three point volume and shooting, & Bruno, Vit, and Methamphetamine Bogi finding their ways in the Association.

No Clint. We saw the uptick in his play late in the season. He’s been over playing with Trae fior a couple seasons now. It’s easily seen by how rarely he sprints to and from screens above the arc on offense now, same with his tags out on the perimeter on defense. I described the poor chemistry dynamic that Trae earns the lion’s share of years ago, then Jackie McMullan reported multiple sources with the team lamenting it a couple months later in one of the few large pieces ESPN has done on the Hawks when Nate took over. It hasn’t changed. Clint’s not even a great player, tons of offensive holes, but he’s been arguably the most impactful since he’s been here looking at his offensive rebounding, paint anchoring, screening, and experience. Hawks are 139-133 all time in the regular season with him, 19-24 without.

Hali is that dude tho. He had an extended slump and still is top 5 in efg amongst lead guards and the gap between him and everyone else in terms of lead guard assist to turn is massive. Awesome floor raising job for him, that roster is full of young, mediocre individual players. Deserving of a few MVP votes no doubt. I apologize for the font lol

The Hawks brass doesn’t gives a sh@t how he affects the score and wins and losses. I been documenting how his contemporaries at the high usage guard spot (and some lower ones) were gonna pass him in impact for years. Just keep the arena gift shop full and they good.

That pass by AJ was pathetic

Head to head this season Trae is -82, Halibirton +67

To Bruno’s family, I’m sorry for your loss.

I know Haliburton airballed that three but that coverage was a microcosm of the season.

The Pacers are pressing the inbounds pass up 13. One of the many cultural differences between the two teams. Hawks don’t even press down 13.

Poor Trae down there trying to rebound over Turner.

Quinn to the ref: “please explain why Gueye wasn’t fouled, even though I know your explanation is gonna be some bullshit.”

Haliburton turning up the intensity, gotta match it

If I can quote North, “shoot the ball Trae!” This had turned into a helluva game.

Vit just knows how to play, nice brush screen after the handoff to make sure DJ was free. I don’t know his backstory but I’m sure he played with grown ass pro men at a young age.

I like how Bruno always finishes strong when he can.

DJs season numbers look great. He just doesn’t impact the game from a mental standpoint, on the margins, or outside the box at all.

They’ve proven to be the worst matchup for the Hawks, their 64% shooting versus us this season may go up after today. Hawks very much still in the game tho. Good feel timeout by Carlisle. Pacers settling too much and DJ had that bounce like he was about to heat up.

I enjoyed watching the Magic this season. Fultz, Anthony, Harris, and Suggs get after it every possession, relieving as much pressure as possible off their front court,

Okay Mo I see you. Looking like Siakam there

DJ is ass defending on ball I swear.

I was staunchly against the play in tournament at first. Looking at how consequential game 82 is around the league, the sh*t works. Aight it’s time for Myles to sit.

Bogi forced Siakam off the ball in the post and they still get 3 smh. They can run an elite pace because they have active hands on defense. Bruce Brown showed them how to get timely stops then they trade him lol.