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Hollinger's all 2012 team - Toney Douglas featured? any have it? (insider)
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crzymdups
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3/8/2011  2:12 PM
Sorry, curious to see what he says about Toney.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-110308&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dhollinger_john%26page%3dPERDiem-110308

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Panos
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3/8/2011  2:49 PM
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nyk4ever
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3/8/2011  3:23 PM
We're getting to the stretch run and pretty soon all of our focus will be on the main players on the contending teams, as playoff positioning and award races dominate the conversation.

Before we hit that point, we have time to look at some players toiling in relative obscurity who could make a major impact next season. I'm not talking about the John Walls and DeMarcus Cousinses of the league. I mean players who are relative unknown but have started to turn the corner for what are in most cases lesser teams.

I call this my All-2012 team, first because I'm trying to stay optimistic that there will be an actual season next season but mostly because what these players are doing right now is a harbinger (there's that word again) of potentially greater productivity a year from now. All of these guys are young, only one or two are well-known and most of them don't even start, but each has played well enough of late to raise my expectations for their respective futures.

So, my All-2012 team:


Tyler Hansbrough, Pacers
Hansbrough did virtually nothing the first two months and briefly fell out of the Pacers' rotation entirely, but lately his play has been more encouraging.

One thing new Indiana coach Frank Vogel did was give Hansbrough a consistent role, playing him about half the game off the bench at power forward. That strategy has allowed Hansbrough to play more freely on offense, and he's averaging nearly a point every two minutes on the season and proving adept at drawing fouls. But to be a long-term starter, he needs to raise his shooting percentage from 43.0 percent.


Christian Eyenga, Cavaliers
This is more a subjective call than a stats-based one, but "Skyenga" can fly and needs to only add experience to become, at the very least, a quality defensive player. He didn't see any game action until January but has taken over the starting small forward role.

While his offensive game is a work in progress, his quickness and elevation defensively put him in stark contrast to most of his teammates. Eyenga's dunks get the attention right now, but it's his defensive potential that bodes best for his future.


Paul George, Pacers
If there is one reason to watch the Pacers this year, it's this guy. While the Griffin-Wall-Cousins rookie trio still hogs all the attention, it's become increasingly clear that George was flat-out stolen at No. 10 by Indiana. A long, silky finisher who looks as if he could easily ramp up to the go-to scorer role, George is shooting 56.7 percent on 2-pointers.

His main shortcoming has been that he has taken a ton of 3-pointers and struggles to make them. That talent should develop in time, as his shooting stroke looks solid, and if it does the 20-year-old will be nigh unguardable.


Chase Budinger, Rockets
Budinger's season stats don't look too different from his numbers from last season, but that disguises how he's done it. He looked horrible early in the season but has blown up in recent weeks.

With the trade of Shane Battier, Budinger has taken on a much larger role and been a huge factor in the Rockets' recent 7-1 surge back into playoff contention. Dropping 17.3 points per game in the stretch while playing as something of a Kevin Martin clone -- combining 3-pointers with a high free throw rate, much like his hyper-efficient teammate -- Budinger has moved his small forward-of-the-future status into the present.


Gerald Henderson, Bobcats
Larry Brown thought Henderson's offensive shortcomings were too severe to play him, but since Paul Silas has taken over as coach, Henderson has shown he can score enough to stay on the court for his impressive defense.

Henderson doesn't space the floor (only two 3-pointers all season), and that's a problem, but he still contributes somewhat as a finisher in transition and in the half court. Last night's 20-point game against the Clippers was his third in the past eight games. At that rate, he can play a major role as a defensive ace.


J.J. Hickson, Cavaliers
Probably the most encouraging development in a mostly lost season in Cleveland has been the turnaround by Hickson over the past two months. Early in the year, he was barely playable as a low-efficiency robot in the post and an indifferent rebounder at best. Since New Year's Day, however, a new, more energetic Hickson has emerged.

He has pulled down more than four offensive boards a game since the start of the year, with salutary effects on his free throw opportunities and shooting percentage. Overall, he's averaging double-figure rebounds in that stretch. While he's still likely better off in the long term as a 4, rather than as an undersized 5, he is only 22 and has shown Cleveland's earlier faith in him was not misplaced.


Marcus Thornton, Kings
I don't know if his future will be with the Kings -- Tyreke Evans plays the same position in much the same way and Thornton is a restricted free agent this summer -- but he's established that he has a future someplace.

Buried on the Hornets' bench despite high production as a rookie and in his rare stints this season, Thornton is averaging 20.3 points per game in his six games with Sacramento. He's scoring a point every two minutes for his career, something very few players can say, especially ones who are still clawing for playing time. Next season, he should become a hugely effective sixth man.


Toney Douglas, Knicks
Apparently the "defense-optional" memo New York sends everybody never reached Douglas. On a team full of marginal defenders, Douglas' ferocious D stands out even more, and his role is increasing now with 34-year-old Chauncey Billups unlikely to bear the insane minutes load that Raymond Felton did.

He's not a natural point guard and he's a bit small for the 2, but at either spot he guards like crazy (witness the Orlando game last week, when Chris Duhon could barely get the ball across half court against him). Additionally, the Melo trade may benefit him by allowing him to play off the ball and spot up for 3s more, something he does quite well. He already has three 20-point games since the trade and he had only four such games before the trade.


Austin Daye, Pistons
Daye's recent uptick hasn't been quite as extreme as that of some other players on this list, but the 22-year-old Detroit forward has nonetheless shown he's turning the corner. With Tayshaun Prince and Tracy McGrady likely moving on next season, the small forward job appears it will be Daye's for the taking, and he seems ready to nab it.

He's earned more minutes as the season has progressed and taken advantage, averaging double figures since the start of February. His frame has filled out a bit, so he's not quite as freakishly skinny and he can make more stands defensively.

Offensively, meanwhile, his combo of length and shooting ability means he can be effective spotting up or playing over the top of smaller wings.


Rodrigue Beaubois, Mavericks
He's back and he's as bouncy as ever, posting back-to-back double-figure games over the weekend, despite playing only 15 minutes in each. The Mavs have even moved him into the starting lineup, something I'd hoped they would have done a year ago.

Still, the backcourt is crowded in Dallas, meaning Beaubois is likely to make a bigger impact next season than this spring, during which his stints are likely to be of the 15- to 20-minute variety. One can't blame the Mavs -- Jason Terry and J.J. Barea are playing great and they can have only so many small guards on the court at once -- but Beaubois is the current Mavs' player most capable of providing a star complement to Dirk Nowitzki a year from now.

"OMG - did we just go on a two-trade-wining-streak?" -SupremeCommander
earthmansurfer
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3/8/2011  4:13 PM
Interesting about how Douglas might get more open looks from 3. And he "suddenly" has started playing better. Something nice to look forward to.

Even if he doesn't improve much as a PG, his defense and scoring are great. He seems to be almost adequate now at PG though, as we have two players who don't really need to be setup, and some higher IQ players around (Billups, Williams, etc.) that make his PG skills less important.

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. Albert Einstein
crzymdups
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3/8/2011  4:22 PM
thanks for posting. i think hollinger's analysis is usually pretty weak... but at least he gave the knicks some love.
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nixluva
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3/8/2011  4:29 PM
Hollinger's stats are good, but you can't rely solely on the stats the way he does. SO long as there's some objective visual analysis along with the stats you can come to a very accurate idea of a players value. In this article he at least attempts to apply some real observations of how the players impact the game as opposed to a purely statistical view.
knickstorrents
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3/8/2011  6:46 PM
Agree you need to use your eyes along with stats to really determine a player's value. Toney can be very frustrating on offense though... he does not see the open man all too often.
Rose is not the answer.
Nalod
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3/8/2011  6:49 PM
I guess we can soon start debating TD, Fields, some No. 1 pick, the obligatory 2nd rounder and since its not our money and NO needs it, 3 million in cash for Chris Paul some time next season.

Knicks at least have better balance in that event than Miami as we would have 3 superfriends at the three positions Pt-wing-fwd.

loweyecue
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3/8/2011  7:16 PM
Relatively obscure player of a lesser team - thanks for putting things in perspective.
TKF on Melo ::....he is a punk, a jerk, a self absorbed out of shape, self aggrandizing, unprofessional, volume chucking coach killing playoff loser!!
BigDaddyG
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3/8/2011  7:50 PM
TD has his weaknesses, but I can overlook them because he is one of the few guys in the league who will D'up fullcourt. We'd be talking how big of steal he was in the draft if he were playing for the Lakers in Fisher's spot. Riley and the Heat would also love to have TD right now. I don't think TD's playmaking deficiencies will be that big of deal when Billups come back anyhow.I see us going to situation similar to the Maverick's where we have Billups on the floor guarding the opposing two-guard and TD guarding the point.
Always... always remember: Less is less. More is more. More is better and twice as much is good too. Not enough is bad, and too much is never enough except when it's just about right. - The Tick
VDesai
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3/9/2011  12:23 AM
Douglas has had a few games since the trade where he's played like the third man in the big 3. He is such a streaky player- if he hits his first couple, he can go off for 20 easy. And there's other games where it seems like he's not getting in the flow of the offense. He reminds me a little of John Starks- but with out the volatility and craziness. He has the same bulldog attitude, and plays hard on both ends.

I wonder what kind of player Toney actually ends up being. I think its interesting with all these trades and rumors that he ended up sticking here. I'm sure teams have asked for him. Check out his numbers over the 15 games in Feb and March- he has been excellent. As a starting guard he's averaged over 15 pts and 5 assists on 60% shooting (5 games).

simrud
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3/9/2011  1:50 AM
He has been really good as a starter the last few games, I agree. Maybe with Melo and Stat dominating the ball, a PG like TD who can shoot and defend well is actually a good fit? It would be great if he can develop into a replacement for Billups so that we can spend money / assets on a C instead of a PG.

In my opinion this team does not need an all-star PG who wants needs to dominate the ball. Just need somebody who can take care of the ball, shoot from the outside and play D. I would rather have Howard join Amare and Melo and stick witha backcourt of Fields and TD then having Paul come in, focring us to forever throw 3 scrubs out there at C.

A glimmer of hope maybe?!?
earthmansurfer
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3/9/2011  5:25 AM
simrud wrote:He has been really good as a starter the last few games, I agree. Maybe with Melo and Stat dominating the ball, a PG like TD who can shoot and defend well is actually a good fit? It would be great if he can develop into a replacement for Billups so that we can spend money / assets on a C instead of a PG.

In my opinion this team does not need an all-star PG who wants needs to dominate the ball. Just need somebody who can take care of the ball, shoot from the outside and play D. I would rather have Howard join Amare and Melo and stick witha backcourt of Fields and TD then having Paul come in, focring us to forever throw 3 scrubs out there at C.

Remember before the Big 3 were, many of us were saying that TD would be a good PG to have for the reasons you mentioned. I agree, we should spend our assets on finding a dominant center as I'm not sure how much a great distributor will help with a player like Melo and less so Stat (though I wouldn't be shocked that Melo would get the ball in better position). Hmmmm I wonder if Rubio would actually fit in but think in this system Douglas is better as he can score.

I don't think we need a player like Deron Williams now but it will be interesting to see what we do in 2012...

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. Albert Einstein
Bippity10
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3/9/2011  6:50 AM
Role players have a way of looking better when they start playing with superstars.
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TheGame
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3/9/2011  8:37 AM
knickstorrents wrote:Agree you need to use your eyes along with stats to really determine a player's value. Toney can be very frustrating on offense though... he does not see the open man all too often.

Yeah, that is his biggest weakness. There are at least 4-5 times during the game when a guy is wide open and Toney either fails to pass to him or takes too long to pass and allows the defense to recover. He is not a natural point guard, and I don't think you can really teach passing instincts. But overall, I like TD and hope we can keep him long term. When he focuses on being aggressive at both ends, he can be very effective.

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Hollinger's all 2012 team - Toney Douglas featured? any have it? (insider)

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