While We’re Waiting… Shaq on the Offensive, Holmgren back to Seattle, and Mangini/Mangino
Written By: Scott | Category: Best of the Web | Comments: 14And we’re back… While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.
“According to 82games.com, the Cleveland offense is more than eight points per 48 minutes worse when Shaq is on the floor. What in particular is the problem? Well, Cleveland’s shooting is worse with Shaq playing (even though Shaq tends to be a high-efficiency player) and the team’s offensive rebounding is worse. The biggest deal, though, might be in drawing fouls: the Cavs average four free throws per 48 minutes fewer with Shaq on the court. Of course, a huge part of LeBron’s game is drawing fouls — Shaq seems to hamper that part of the offense, according to the numbers.” [Tom Ziller/NBA FanHouse]
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“According to Pro Football Weekly, Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell has been informed that he will not be re-signed at the end of his contract this year. The empty spot would be a natural for ex-Seattle GM and head coach Mike Holmgren, who has maintained an excellent relationship with the Seahawk’s owner.” [The OBR]
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“The Cavaliers saw two players this weekend who would solve their needs perfectly. Both are physical guards who are phenomenal passers in the half-court. [...] The first one of those guys is Stephen Jackson. Assuming the Bobcats would be willing to trade him… The second one of those guys is Delonte West, who’s been sitting on the Cavs’ bench all along.” [Cavs the Blog]
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Craig Sager takes on Cleveland. [HHR]
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“Now, though, you have two football coaches — both seemingly on the brink of being fired, both rather large, both abrasive in their own ways — and what chance do we have not confusing Eric Mangini and Mark Mangino? Just in the last two weeks, I’ve probably called Mangino-Mangini and Mangini-Mangino two dozen times.” [Joe Posnanski]
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And finally, Lets Go Tribe dives into the Indians’ top prospects [Lets Go Tribe]
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(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 1701 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
Wat? Nothing about Grady’s racy pics? CMON!
I am sure the Grady coverage is coming later
RE: Shaq & the Offense
I don’t know how many of you got a chance to hear Windhorst on the Cavs Wednesday pregame show, but he had some amazing analysis about Shaq being on the floor which basically boiled down to “National writers don’t really know what they’re talking about.”
Granted he is and is paid to be a Cavs homer, but I’ll take his analysis before someone’s at Fanhouse.
what? national writers dont know what they are talking about? so youre telling me that national guys who basically just watch highlights and look at statistics on a page and really dont know the ins-and-outs of any particular team DONT know more than the guy who is paid to watch every single minute of every single cavs game?
@ #3 Ben I don’t know if you were being sarcastic or what, but living outside of Cleveland, it is remarkable how little clue national guys, even basketball guys, have about any team besides the Lakers.
I was saddened yesterday to realize Grady might be a d-bag!
not being sarcastic at all.
its a shame there isn’t a pod cast or w/e that can be linked to.
it was a really good analysis.
It’s according to the numbers, though. The stats are the stats. However, before Friday’s game FSN showed a stat that with Shaq the Cavs are giving up 91 points per game, but that jumps to 101 per game when Shaq is out hurt. So while he may slow things down offensively, he makes up for it on the defensive side so it all works out in the end.
I was going to mention what Titus Mentioned. Our D is WAY better with Shaq on the floor, we all saw what he did to D-Howard. Howard was called for silly fouls that won’t be called in the playoffs but Shaq is still some what of an equalizer. We can’t get rid of him simply because no matter who we get, no one could D up Howard the way he does.
I also believe we’re shooting at a higher % this year. Playing better D and shooting a higher % means less offensive possessions because we’re slowing the game down and making teams work. At least that’s what I’m seeing.
Before making any statistical judgment of Shaq’s on/off numbers, I’d want to know the pace factors for when he’s on the floor and when he’s off. None of the stats (at least in that blurb) seem to be pace-adjusted.
Shaq is here for one reason — to defend Dwight Howard. If we have to struggle at times, who cares. We are going to have to play them in the playoffs.
I agree people outside of Cleveland are clueless. We all know this team inside and out while people make stupid statements like Shaq not being good for this team. Ben I wouldn’t consider Windy a homer though, he gets on the team when it is warranted.
@ JM – I live outside of Cleveland :/
@ Denny – Are you saying that you are not, in fact, Alicia Silverstone?