Millsap 2014-15 Adjustments

[SalvorMallow]

Figured since we're honoring Millsap and will almost undoubtedly be celebrating his Allstar selection, I wanted to dig into Millsap's stats and see how they match up with what he's doing on the floor; how he's is changing his game to better fit playing alongside Horford and adapting to Bud's system.

 

While many had spacing concerns since Horford and Millsap have traditionally had the same spots on the floor, it seems that Millsap is versatile enough to make some pretty noticeable changes to his game to fit with Horford.  This has been evident by the increased performance seen by both Millsap and Horford in recent games.

 

Millsap's overall scoring is down a point from this season to last.  The primary reason for this seems to be a reduction in usg % and a drop off in FTA and FT%.  While the former is definitely because of Horford's return, the latter is a mystery in many ways.  

 

Firstly, why is Millsap shooting so poorly at the free throw line this year?  He's shooting his lowest % since his second year in the league.  Pretty strange dropoff uncharacteristic of a gym rate like Millsap.

 

Secondly, one big adjustment Millsap has made to accommodate Horford is the spots he's picking on the floor.  He seems to have made a much bigger adjustment than Horford in this regard, even going so far as to play the same way when Horford isn't even on the floor.  

 

Last year, Millsap worked a lot in the high post and took a lot of elbow jumpers.  Obviously those are two of Horford's favorite spots and probably the biggest reason some posters had a hard time believing these two could play together. This year, he is slashing a lot more and using the baseline instead of the high post.  Millsap has reduced his elbow jumper, instead favoring driving the ball or taking a three point shot.  Millsap has also running to the corner more often than he has in the past, the perfect place for him to be while Horford and Teague work the PnR up top.  This is seen by a 2% increase in FGA% from 0-3 feet and a reduction in every other 2 point category and a 3% increase in corner 3PA%.

 

Even taking more shots at the rim, it's puzzling that his FTA are down.  Watching games shows that Millsap just isn't getting calls that he was last year.  I'm hoping that once he's an allstar for the second time, he will start getting some respect from the refs.

 

Becuse of the effectiveness of these adjustments and Horford's offensive presence  drawing the defense in ways that Pero never could, Millsap's FG% is up to 48% from last years 46%.  This has also lead his Ortg to increase from 105 to 107.

 

His defense also seems to have drastically improved, which his Drtg dropping plummeting from 102 last year to a career low 98 this year.

 

His ws/48 have also dramatically improved, increasing from .129 last year to .159 this year.

 

From this brief look, it seems the coaching staff have worked hard with Millsap to further evolve his game in a way that perfectly matches Horford.  Slashing, corner threes and strong post presence are all things that can benefit from Horford's excellent passing, and Millsap has expertly increased his use of each of these to great effect.

 

 

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millspa01.html

Edited January 1, 2015 by SalvorMallow

[buckeye242424]

This might be generic, but he's prolly tired. Horf's been injured, during his tenure. He's carrying the load. With Teague...

[SalvorMallow]

This might be generic, but he's prolly tired. Horf's been injured, during his tenure. He's carrying the load. With Teague...

 

You mean for his FT%?

[buckeye242424]

You mean for his FT%?

I think that's a part, sure. His overall game isn't consistent... Could be age, I dunno. He still makes us a better team, I'm not hating.