Second unit point production

by OzDreamShaker34 on Feb 11, 2012 7:15 AM CST

Hello fellow Dream Shakers!

First of all let me say that this is my first fan post after a couple of years reading and commenting on TDS. I would've liked to have got involved sooner but living in Australia means that I dont watch the Rockets games until I get home after work. By then, most of you folk would be fast asleep and/or probably not interested in hearing comments about the game the day before!

Anyway I am writing to open a discussion (hopefully) on a very interesting stat I picked up on whilst watching the Rox v Suns game yesterday. While (the surprisingly good) Phoenix commentators were taking note on Houston's' "scary" second unit, a quick stat flashed up listing the 4 lowest producing second units in the league. They were (I forget the order) Lakers, Heat, Orlando and Clippers. I would think that all 4 teams, in most peoples minds, would be contenders to the championship this season.

It got me thinking. The Heat would probably have a similar bench to last season as far as production goes (just guessing here though). The Heat didnt win the championship (yes I know they got close). The Dallas Mavericks however did win the championship. Now you will have to forgive me here because I have not done the research but I am guessing the Mavs, with Terry, Barea and co., had relatively high production from their bench during the regular season last season.

Where am I going with this? Well I am wondering if there are people out there who can shed a little light on whether poor bench production (lets say bottom 3 in the league) puts an automatic road block on a teams ability to win the championship. When was the last time a team with a bottom 3 in the league second unit (points production wise) won the championship? Has it happened before?

I guess where Im REALLY going with this is......the Rockets surely have one of the best second units in the league this season with regards to point production (again, a little help with the official stats please). Now I am not one to get excited simply because the boys have pulled 3 road wins against a DEPLETED Denver, a DEMORALIZED Portland and a D...............not so good Phoenix. But is this second unit production thing something we can genuinely get excited about? Secondly, does history suggest that a team with a low scoring bench cannot win the championship?

Please feel free to get involved and comment on my post (positively or negatively, I dont mind). Help me pop my TDS cherry!!!

John

No cursing in title. No pirated material, such as links to online game streams. Do not cut/paste entire sections of content from other websites. Thanks.

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Comments

I'll pop your TDS cherry.

By saying that I wouldn’t get too excited about this yet. Theyv’e been downright putrid for some parts of this season. So I sure hope it continues, but I don’t I wouldn’t be too surprised. Good to have you aboard!

"Well, remember what you said, because in a day or two, I'll have a witty and blistering retort! You'll be devastated THEN!" Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes

by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Feb 11, 2012 10:58 AM CST reply actions

Yeah I guess I shouldve said IF the bench can keep up this kind of play. I guess if the starters get going they won’t need to. I’m not happy with some of our starters though but that’s another story.

by OzDreamShaker34 on Feb 11, 2012 2:31 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

t's just flat out wierd.

Our good players are just eh this year, but we are winning games…

"Well, remember what you said, because in a day or two, I'll have a witty and blistering retort! You'll be devastated THEN!" Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes

by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Feb 11, 2012 10:13 PM CST up reply actions

To put things in perspect

The 2nd unit has been playing at a level above the norm. Lee for the past 5 games is shooting 51% and 53% from the 3pt line, Patterson is also shooting something like 55% Budinger is averaging 22pt per 48 minutes and something like 1.5 pts/ field goal attempt

They are so en fuego it’s in Spanish.

We cant expect the bench players to averaging 50% shooting all the time, because most starters cant even do that, but the magic is that our bench has been doing it during a slump from the starters, they dont have to sustain it, they just have to do it when the starters cant

a strong bench is great, but it does not beat a great starting 5, for most teams, having 2 really good player off the bench can make the bench invaluable already. Of the teams you mentioned, once the playoff starts, their bench will shorten to something like a 2 or 3 player bench to maximize the talent on the court since there’s no reason to conserve energy in elimination style play

by NVP on Feb 11, 2012 2:16 PM CST reply actions

Yep I see your point. Rox bench is so hot that it’s simply not sustainable. I just wonder with the 4 teams mentioned if fatigue won’t become a factor during a best of seven playoff series. Especially after relying so heavily on the starters during a hectic, condensed schedule.

by OzDreamShaker34 on Feb 11, 2012 2:34 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

Well the thing is they are playing good defense as well which I think is sustainable.

by VBG on Feb 11, 2012 8:08 PM CST up reply actions

Haha yes another good point. Have to see I’m heartened by the effort and hussle hill is putting in. His numbers may not be huge but he’s making an impact out there.

by OzDreamShaker34 on Feb 11, 2012 9:07 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

*see=say

by OzDreamShaker34 on Feb 11, 2012 9:08 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

is cuz c lee pp and air bud are on fire

Go Rockets!
"Our players knew we were going to win so kinda let up on defense." Kevin Mchale
"Screw Stern!" Me

by Rockets7 on Feb 11, 2012 7:11 PM CST reply actions

Lee is on fire right now

Bud was until yesterday.

PPat is the bench player who has impressed me the most. He’s consistently getting good open looks on midrange jumpers and he’s definitely the Rockets’ best player in the post right now. To me, what he’s doing could be sustainable.

by ehburrus on Feb 13, 2012 9:42 AM CST reply actions