I've watched his whole career. He's finally bowing to father time. The last 3-4 seasons, he's had nagging injuries during the season, and has not been able to get through the playoffs. This past season, he became a standing point guard who struggles to defend anyone. He tanks it so much on both ends so he can play 35-40 minutes, but it substandard play. That HURTS the team.
He's going to be shooting early and often, especially on the second night of a back-to-back with LeBron and others sitting out to rest. I don't expect much in terms of efficiency, but I'd bet there's a good chance he averages a triple double again in the range of 22-24 pts and 10-11 rebs and asts.
The triple double has become an irrelevant stat in the NBA. Too many minutes, too many possessions. If a player is playing more than 35 minutes per game, they probably should be nearing a triple double every night unless they are a post up center.
I'm not sure I'd call it totally irrelevant yet, but it certainly is irrelevant for Russ and has been for at least a few years. People largely expect him to pad stats at this point while shooting inefficiently, and probably having marginal to no real value on the team's win total.
100% true, he's a guy that plays hard all the time. The issue with that in a team setting, and especially a sport like the NBA, individuals get more praise that team success. I'd contend that if Russ was more of a "team" guy (i.e. make the extra pass, don't take the first available shot, etc.) his teams would be much more successful. This really goes hand in hand with the NBA's lack of emphasis in coaching. Saying a guy has a triple double doesn't ever account for how many shots a guy takes. You can score 20 points and it takes 25 shots to get those 20 points ( 8-25 shooting, 4 3 point shots). If you're a teams dominate ball handler, the 10 assists is nearly a given and the 10 rebounds - especially in 3 point shooting misses creates long rebounds for guards. The massive number of possessions in a 48 minute NBA game with a 24 second shot clock creates piles and piles of numbers to accumulate.
As old as they are will they ever be healthy?
apparently not. he's gone to the mental health card and is still getting paid because the NBA has not backbone to stand up to their union. I laugh when pro athletes talk about mental health. Why not come out here in the real world, lose or not have a job and try to survive? These guys are multi million dollar athletes who've been pampered their entire lives. Sure there's pressure but it's "within" their sport. They still play a kids game a get paid handsomely for it. Ben's acting like child so I have to push much of this on his parents.
Saw a story the other day of a college coach who is requiring his players to have "clean" haircuts. No dreads, no ponytails. Good luck with that.
Can't be easy playing with crabs.
The thing that fascinates me about this trade is you have two guys who were pouting about their current situations and refused to play...and now they are suddenly going to be healthy and willing to play? I think the NBA really needs to address this type of behavior among it's players with the union. It's a crappy look for the fans.
Absolutely agree.
Yeah, but if LeBro scores his 27 points, even in a loss, everybody's happy.
I don't know, but I bet he can hide a basketball in that beard.
