Ryan Anderson Is Not a Specialist
by Evan Dunlap on Oct 12, 2010 8:01 AM EDT
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After yesterday's practice, Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy touched on Ryan Anderson's varied skill-set, a topic that I've tried to tackle several times. In this video from Zach McCann--who's proven to be a brilliant hire for the Sentinel--Van Gundy explains that Anderson's tendency to shoot the three-pointer masks his contributions in other areas.
Kyle Korver is a shooting specialist. Steve Novak is a shooting specialist. Daniel Gibson is a shooting specialist. What makes them specialists, to these eyes? The fact that shooting is their lone skill, that if they aren't making shots, they can't help their teams.
Anderson? Not so much. Not at all, even.
Yes, 400 of his 795 career shot attempts are three-pointers, and his 36.8 percent mark from long range is closer to "good" than "great." But before writing him off as just another jump-shooting power forward, consider the other ways in which he can help. Consider his work on the glass on both ends of the court, as Van Gundy says in the video, is of particular importance. Consider the impact his presence as a floor-spacing power forward has on opposing defenses. Consider his age.
I get the feeling that Anderson's detractors must have a blind spot located where the "rebounds" column appears in their boxscore, particularly recently. In his last 12 games, spanning this preseason and the 2009/10 postseason, Anderson has grabbed 53 rebounds in 153 minutes, an elite average of 13.5 per 40 minutes played. I can't help but think this improvement is real, not a fluke, in spite of the small sample size. Remember in the 2008 Playoffs, when Jameer Nelson took his play to the next level? And then, in the following season, when he maintained that play and earned an All-Star berth? Anderson may have just turned a similar corner in his career, though in no way am I suggesting he's an All-Star. Yet.Alternatively, maybe the people whom Anderson has yet to impress haven't had the chance to watch his excellent work in the offensive paint, particularly on putbacks. His 1.269 points per possession mark on putbacks last season ranks him ahead of Marc Gasol (1.23), Amar'e Stoudemire (1.22), Zach Randolph (1.19), Shaquille O'Neal (1.18), Brook Lopez (1.16), and many other stronger, tougher players.
Anderson isn't without his faults, particularly defensively, where his mediocre mobility causes the Magic some trouble at times. The good news is there's plenty of time for him to learn, and he's eager to put in the work. As Vince Carter said after Sunday night's win against the New Orleans Hornets, "Me sitting here and just trying to praise him for his hard work in the summer won't do it justice." And Carter, I believe, is an authority on the subject of Anderson's career, having known him since the New Jersey Nets selected Anderson with the 21st overall pick in the 2008 Draft.
It's probably about time for the NBA community to take a closer look at Anderson so we can clear up the misconceptions Van Gundy addresses.
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Ryan should start
He brings everything that SVG’s system desires from a PF on the floor with Dwight and that’s three point shooting, rebounding and some interior support as well.
When Marcin is on the floor I’d put Bass in and make more of an inside presence, while spreading the floor more with Ryan while Dwight is on the floor.
I’d also play Vince more when Marcin is on the floor, and maybe JJ a bit more (either in conjunction with Vince at the 3 or not) when Dwight is on the floor.
I don't think Bass should be starting if Lewis switches to the three.
And with a projected PER around 19 this year, they HAVE to play Ryan more, regardless of who starts. He’s too good to be on the bench.
Scarlett Van Carter. I might name my daughter this.
by ben_gleicher on Oct 12, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
There's no way Bass starts.
You saw the Pacers game: A Howard-Bass front line is a recipe for disaster on D. We don’t need a great defensive PF alongside Dwight… all we need is a guy who can stay in position and get in the way of obvious drives. Someone to slow them down a bit, so people don’t get the jump on Dwight in the paint, leading to fouls.
Lewis stays in position. Ryan, for all his other defensive shortcomings, stays in position. We haven’t seen much of Gortat, but come on — we all know he can stay in position. Bass… wanders.
I mean, I’m actually warming up to Bass. He looks much less out of his depth in these preseason games than he did last season. We’ll see if that carries over to the season, but it might.
But I don’t want to see him as the last line of defense before Howard.
(And that’s not getting into his passing/handling…)
Unless, of course, it takes playing time away from Ryan Anderson.
There is no doubt Anderson has huge potential but for that potential to be reached he needs to get the backup PF minutes. Which begs the question…what to do with Bass? I hate to call for the trade, what with the improvement he has shown so far this pre season, his own potential and knowing damn well how much discussion merely mentioning his name here at OPP causes, but can they co exist and both develop into the players they show glimpses of becoming? Maybe Lewis seeing more time at SF will provide that opportunity, but I just don’t know if that will cut it. Is there such a thing as too much depth? If it can stunt a promising young players development, then perhaps there is.
by Ezy on Oct 12, 2010 10:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
A very expensive and seldom used option I might add...
I really think that the Magic NEED to win the title this year.
They are definitely the deepest team in the NBA…
If they lose before the finals this year – the squad calls for some trading – Gortat, Bass, Carter… they need to go.
That will be when JJ and Anderson blossom for real.
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Oct 12, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Its funny cause
sometimes I think that we are too deep..I feel like we need to trade one of our players because we have too much talent, and that creates dillemmas (like Bass vs. Anderson…two players that deserve a lot of minutes)
I must admit
I was not impressed with Ryan Anderson last season (other than his great first month, he wasn’t that great), but he has impressed me so far this preseason…He is rebounding the ball well…however, he is still a streaky shooter. The Magic need more of a role player who brings toughness, energy, and shoots a higher fg%..This is why I think Brandon Bass should still be the backup PF, or in some matchups, the starting PF, and have Lewis slide to the 3 (against big teams like the Lakers and Celts).
Don’t get it twisted though, I think Ryan Anderson will be a big part of this team in the years to come, but right now, I still think Bass is the ROLE PLAYER we need off the bench
Bass is a less efficient scorer than Anderson, though.
Unless, of course, it takes playing time away from Ryan Anderson.
Ok ur right
but Bass still brings the needed energy, hustle, size, and dirty work a championship team needs. I agree that Anderson will become a better overall player, but hes not the role player that we need THIS YEAR, in my opinion.
You were right tho in that I underestimated him Ben, I think he will become mroe than a good bench player now…I think he can become a solid starter (similar to Troy Murphy).
Umm..
Honestly I don’t know how you measure energy, hustle, or dirty work. Honestly, anybody could say that for anyone- it would mean nothing to me as it would mean something to you.
As for size, Bass is 6’8" and 250 lbs while Ryan Anderson 6’10" 240 is taller and not that far off in weight. So, i don’t understand that at all.
Honestly ain't I insane I think that's the way I gotta be
Ain't I so so supafly boy ain't nobody hot as me.
Just watch the game
Bass is a more physical player
I guess.
Especially if you give him credit for all the times he’s run into his own teammates.
But how is “more physical” an inherently good thing? To me, “more physical” suggests a style of play, not a level of quality.
Moreover, it suggests a style of play that the Magic don’t particularly want from the power forward position.
MOREmoreover, it suggests a style of play Bass isn’t very good at. Bass gets his shot rejected inside very frequently, frequently gets boxed out for rebounds, and people have scored on him pretty regularly in the past. (Usually because he’s out of position on D.)
The fact is, Ryan is better at most of the things a “physical” player does. He’s a much better rebounder, he’s harder to shoot over (and not just because he stays in position on D).
Just because Bass looks muscular, doesn’t shoot threes, and doesn’t have the basketball skills to register an assist without first throwing the ball off an opponent’s legs and recovering it on a fluke bounce, it doesn’t follow that he’s automatically good at the areas of basketball which DON’T involve fine motor skills.
Unless, of course, it takes playing time away from Ryan Anderson.
I was watching a replay from the Pacers game I think
Where Brandon and Rashard collided on a defensive rotation… boy that was nasty
That's a descriptive statement, not an evaluative one.
Reggie Evans is more physical than nearly anyone in the league. It doesn’t mean he’s the best player.
by Evan Dunlap on Oct 13, 2010 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Okay, you take "energy, hustle and dirty work".
And I’ll take scoring efficiency, scoring volume, passing, rebounding, and team defense.
Oh, and size.
Unless, of course, it takes playing time away from Ryan Anderson.
A "better" JJ?
At this juncture, Anderson is a better, all-around player than JJ was three years ago… and THAT my friends IS scary! They both have similar intensity and desire, although Redick has kicked it up a notch tha last couple of years… still my favorite player.
The moment Anderson gets his defense down, there will be NO limit to his game… just sends shivers down my spine…
GO MAGIC… 2010 NBA CHAMPS!
If they think Lewis can start at SF, cool.
Personally, I don’t like this lineup in the opening minutes of the game for the same reason I don’t like a Bass-Howard frontcourt… it puts way too much pressure on Dwight to provide frontcourt defense, and increases the risk of foul trouble. I feel like Anderson or Lewis at PF works, but only if you have a mobile SF cutting off the lanes. I’m not convinced Lewis is mobile enough.
Now, later in the game, when Dwight’s not at risk of early foul trouble, everyone’s worn down a bit, and some of the backups are in? Go for it. I feel like this is clearly our best offensive lineup, and by a wide margin too. But we need to be a little more cautious in the opening minutes.
Unless, of course, it takes playing time away from Ryan Anderson.
Ryan is in sync with the Magic. His style of play is the team's style of play.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
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