Ryan Anderson's Bright Future?

by erivera7 on Jul 20, 2009 10:00 AM EDT in Analysis Comment 17 comments

While the Orlando Magic put the finishing touches on a roster that has seen noticeable changes since the off-season began, I wanted to hone in on one of the individuals that will be making a new home in the City Beautiful - Ryan Anderson.

When Anderson first arrived to the Magic via trade, not a lot of local fans knew much about him. Anderson quickly changed that when he performed well in the Orlando Pro Summer League, showcasing his skills to a bevy of NBA coaches (including Stan Van Gundy), front office personnel, scouts, and others. Offensively, it was Anderson's diverse game that stood out the most.

David Thorpe of ESPN.com & Scouts Inc. stated to me that Anderson's skill-set reminded him, a bit, of Rashard Lewis. Thorpe is a highly-respected NBA scribe, and for him to pay Anderson that type of compliment speaks to the type of player he can be. Given that comparison, I decided to reach out to Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus and see what Anderson's similarity score looks like, at this point, in his career. Pelton's SCHOENE projection system is a useful tool to compare players to other players and try to map out what the future may lie for someone like Anderson.

Here's what the data indicates:

Player	Sim	Season	Team
Vladimir Radmanovic	96.8	2002	sea
Tim Thomas	95.6	1998	phi
Rudy Gay	94.1	2007	mem
Martell Webster	94.0	2008	por
Dirk Nowitzki	92.7	1999	dal
Rashard Lewis	92.5	2000	sea
Joe Johnson	92.0	2002	pho
Quentin Richardson	91.9	2001	lac
Antoine Walker	91.7	1997	bos
Jason Richardson	91.3	2002	gsw

The list is impressive, sporting perimeter-oriented individuals who vary in skill level; ranging from role players, All-Stars, and even a former MVP. It's clear that the numbers indicate Ryan Anderson has a bright future in the NBA and when you take into the account the fact his similarity score is more impressive than Courtney Lee, one has to feel good about the type of player general manager Otis Smith acquired. It looks like the California product has a chance to become a starter for a long time.

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thanks

great read… I am exicited about Mr, Anderson!!

by bumper64 on Jul 20, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

E -- can you talk a little more about how the sim score is calclated and what it purports to mean?

i haven’t seen this metric used before now.

by pinthatd12 on Jul 20, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's the nuts and bolts of the SCHOENE projection system.

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=423

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 20, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

E....??? Our keyon dooling TPE expires July 22...

this was part of a discussion on another blog that I was reading, do we know if this could be a option that we have or are they wrong in there thinking??
Thanks

Sorry about getting off the above subject!!

by bumper64 on Jul 20, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"Keyon Dooling TPE"

We used IT to aquire Ryan Anderson……

by orltragic07 on Jul 20, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We used up only a small portion of it actually

We should still have ~2mill left

You don’t trade a TPE, you fill it.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Jul 20, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correct. You fill it, which Otis Smith explicitly explained in the Vince Carter press conference.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 20, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok! Thanks for the info

by bumper64 on Jul 20, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A list of comparable players, and no sign of Pat Garrity

I feel so much better about these comparisons

"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"

by The Dark on Jul 20, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that's partly why I made this post.

.. to ease the concerns of those that think Ryan Anderson is a Pat Garrity-type player.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 20, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Garrity checks this site

and cries every day.

by Jwoey on Jul 20, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol, no Center comparisons?

Shocking. /sarcasm

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Jul 20, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Anderson has a lot of promise

I just think unless he can figure out a way to play the SF, he might be getting the short end of the stick in our deep frontcourt. Not an everyday player, but only seeing JJ-esque minutes when we need some quick instant offense. With Gortat back, it seems Bass has the upper-hand in the back up PF race…but I could be wrong.

by Lee for three on Jul 20, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No, you're dead-on.

I think what will happen this season is that Anderson will get a Redick-type role, where he’ll see minutes but more so in conjunction with the matchups. If anything happens in the frontcourt like injury or what not, then you could see Ryan step in and play more minutes to fill the void left by someone getting hurt.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 20, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs