Kemba's Struggle With The Pick And Roll
by Ben Swanson on Jan 9, 2012 1:37 PM EST
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PrintWe all dream of rookies coming into a program and immediately raising their team to the next level, but the adjustment is rarely a smooth one.
It's not difficult to see Charlotte Bobcats rookie guard Kemba Walker is having trouble meeting the challenges at this level of basketball, as his play has been quite inconsistent, having a good game every three games or so.
Obviously the NBA is a much tougher brand of basketball than the Big East. The players are bigger. They are faster. They are stronger. It's hard for most players to take that change in stride without some bumps along the way.
Still there are some very real issues with Kemba's early play: his range and the pick and roll.
The pick and roll is simply one of the most essential parts to any point guard's arsenal. It's not very complicate, creates a ton of options with only two players and if run well, can create easy, successful scoring opportunities while continually forcing the opponents to second-guess their defense.
The issue here is how inefficient Kemba is on these situations. According to Synergy, Kemba scores 0.69 points per pick and roll possession, which is pretty poor. Most of the time, Walker takes it on his own, keeping the ball and creating his own shot. If he was a better shooter, this would be fine. But he's just not shooting well. In fact, Walker's shooting 28.6% on the pick and roll. I can understand taking the shot if DeSagana is the roll man, but D.J. White, Boris Diaw and Byron Mullens are all pretty adept with the pick and roll (PPPs of 1.83, 1.25, and 1.27, respectively). Walker seems to miss the roll man completely most times.
Kemba is so very fleet of foot, he has the ability to create his own shot extremely well. And yet, he relies on it entirely too much. Per 82games.com, 46 percent of Walker's shots come in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock. What results is a heavy shot distribution in long twos and threes (5.3 out of 9.3 FGA/game come from 16 feet out or farther). Further, plays don't have the time to develop. He's creating decent opportunities for shots, but he just doesn't have the consistency and range to knock them down.
Like Kemba, we should have patience too. It will take time for him to develop as an NBA player, figuring out the in and outs of the game. He's had many flashes showing he can be very good in this league; he just needs to iron out the kinks.
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I think this shortened, truncated season is helping and hurting. No practice time really and this season of learning on the fly i think can only help Kemba and a lot of the young players learn how to make adjustments quicker whether it comes in-game based on what teams are giving you or from game to game….i hope.
We’re only 6 games in i think and i look at this season, for us as Bobcats fans, as extended scrimmages. You win some, you lose some but take something positive while eliminating the bad from each game and have that translate in to a strong summer and a better year next year. Again…I hope.
I agree but I also think he can develop into a great shooter
And a 20+ ppg scorer (an AI lite)
He can led a team and be a star in the future, but he will be better as a star #2 scorer. He is clutch though, and will be valuable as the primary ball handler in late game scenarios.
We need to draft an elite SF, but Barnes has a lower ceiling than previously thought IMO. I love Kidd Gilchrist though. And we need to trade TT and draft a big scoring PF to plant beside biyombo
I worry about Walker on defense though. If he can develop into a PG then we will have a steal.
Would love this:
Walker-Hendo-Barnes/Kidd-Biyombo-Drummond
"What up? We're three cool guys looking for other cool guys who wanna hang out in our party mansion. Nothing sexual. Dudes in good shape encouraged. If you're fat, you should be able to find humor in the little things." Again, NOTHING SEXUAL
"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.
you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT
by MikeTrain on Jan 9, 2012 3:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I still dont get why people worry about his D
He isnt great but for a kid with no offseason trying to keep up with NBA PG’s he is pretty good. I think he is an average defender and he is already better on D then DJ
His size
He cannot guard the 2….
"What up? We're three cool guys looking for other cool guys who wanna hang out in our party mansion. Nothing sexual. Dudes in good shape encouraged. If you're fat, you should be able to find humor in the little things." Again, NOTHING SEXUAL
"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.
you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT
by MikeTrain on Jan 9, 2012 6:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
"I also think he can develop into a great shooter"
Haven’t I read for two-plus years that such a transformation was impossible (in the case of Henderson)?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 10, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
KEMBA WALKER !
He just needs to talk to Mugsy Bogues and former Bobcat great Earl Boykins !!!!
by chris in union county on Jan 9, 2012 3:36 PM EST reply actions
Why?
Just curious. If you’re implying Kemba’s problems are height related, he has at least six inches on both of those guys.
"People are gonna respect the Panthers, and I want what I do as a quarterback to be scary. I want people to be in fear. I want it, and I’m gonna get it."
- Carolina Panthers Franchise Quarterback
Plus, Kemba's height has had zero to do with his problems
He’s creating tons of space to get his own shot and has only had 2% of his FGA blocked per 82games.com. Also, I’d rather him not take any lessons from Earl Boykins, haha
Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr
Kemba's struggles
It’s way to early to worry about Kemba not being proficent yet on the pick-and-roll play. Let’s talk again this time next year, after he has had an offseason and training camp and gained some experience from this year under his belt.
In the grand scheme of things, where he is at now is probably the summer league exhibition games. I wouldn’t expect him to be one of the best PGs in the league right now. Give him some time. Time to practice with Coach Silas, time to learn his teammates and his craft more.
But from what I can see already as a fan, I’m excited about what the future holds for both Kemba and Bismack.
He was bad in the pick and roll in college as well
I think it was TrueHoop that did a piece on he and Jimmer before the draft and how they executed in certain plays. Doesn’t mean he can’t learn it, but this was a known issue for him coming out of college.
by drapht00 on Jan 9, 2012 6:22 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Just like his shoot-first mentality and poor long-range shooting accuracy.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 10, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
This is the perfect time to address this problem,early on. The first and foremost duty of a of a pt gd is to pass in the paint. Kemba must learn to do this now esp on a team of forwards whom cannot create their own shot. Dj only got in the paint solidly and dished this yr , whc was the atlanta game getn 12 assists all in the paint. Whomever learns to do this will stay, the other will b traded,watch.
Both will never become great pt gds as they shoot first and pass second. Isiah didnt become great until he passed in the paint first. Dj wont do his consistently. Kemba does pass on the break. Dj walks instead of passes the ball up ct on the break and always tries to foolishly finish himself instead of getn a teamate a layup. Look now, Rubio is already considered more valuable than Dj. And hes scoring only a fraction of djs pt totals..
Rhondo,Derron,Nash,Paul ,Billups ,Rubio n even Norris cole all run their teams better n are considered great pt gds bc they get in the paint n pass first even tho most can score better than Dj. You can find lots of fault elsewhere on this team but the biggest problem is pt gds getn asissts in the paint on the break n half ct sets.. …period. By far and away.asissts around the perimeter are overstated.
Ben, you're a big, dumb, stupid idiot!
How dare you criticize the great Kemba Walker? He has had a handful of good games among all his clunkers, and you know he won a championship in college like Sean May! Or have you forgotten already because you’re in such a rush to criticize him?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 10, 2012 12:21 PM EST reply actions
You know nobody listens to haters right?
Just so you know none of these so called arguments or mindless comments by youmake no sense to anyone but you.
My criticisms of Walker seem to make sense to Ben.
Note: the entire article above.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 10, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
No its different
You refuse to think Kemba could be good. Bem is just stating what he struggles with. You ever heard of struggles? Most rookie have them.
Most rookies usually aren't drafted to replace a superior player.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 10, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
Kyrie Irving?
Still why does that matter. You still wont admit he could be good and you clearly do not hope he does well and is great player.
Who is the superior player, exactly?
I would take Irving over Baron Davis at any point past Golden STate.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 10, 2012 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
A few picks I want to make note of:
Klay Thomspon – SG – Warriors already have Ellis and Curry
Derrick Williams – SF/PF – essentially the same player as Michael Beasley
Brandon Knight – PG – Wouldn’t say he’s superior to Stuckey
Jimmer Fredette – PG/SG – Kings have Tyreke Evans
Evan Turner – SG/SF- #2 pick of the 76ers in 2010 who have Andre Iguodala
Rookies aren’t always drafted to come in and be immediately be the best at their position.
Ok, I can play that game.
You are correct that most of these players have players who play at their position on their new teams, but they play different styles, and as such compliment—rather than marginalize—each other. Walker and Augustin do not. There is really no feasible way that those two can play together for extended stretches. Do you disagree with that notion?
Thompson is a hugely different player than Ellis and Curry (both of whom are PGs in stature and play style.) He is a shooter who largely needs his offense created by others, whereas they need to dominate the ball but can far more capably distribute.
Yes, Williams is the same player as Beasley, albeit with much better rebounding and defense (both in skill and effort.) But most would tell you that the current Timberwolves front office (KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHN!) is pretty awful at talent evaluation and roster management.
Knight is a better playmaker than Stuckey, who has struggled when asked to play as a lead guard.
Fredette is a more pure shooter and has better basketball IQ than Evans, but I will again note that most people think he was an odd or even bad pick to go with what they have on hand in Sacto already.
Turner and Iguodala play similar games, but they’re both SG/SFs. And guess what? Those two positions are both in the starting lineup, where both players can fill them.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 10, 2012 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
No.
If I’m a reasonable human being, I’ll be realistic about this team and it’s player, not a slurper like you.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 10, 2012 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
If im a slurper then so is everyone else because your the only one that acts like this
Your not being reasonable if you were reasonable then you would give rookies time and if you were realistic then why does no one agree with you. Trust me its not because your smarter then anyone else I promise you that.
You see nothing wrong in getting excited that one of our players struggles
In the Knicks game thread you got so excited that Kemba struggled you had to get on the gamethread and tell us and you didnt have anything to do with us before that. What kind of fan is happy when one of their players struggles? Why are you here you clearly do not root for this team, if your looking to upset people you have succeeded everyone hates you you got what you wanted please just stop you are ruining this whole site for everyone and I know its what you want but olease have some shred of human decency then just freaking stop. I mean if you keep this up you do realize you will eventually be banned, you were already banned from CSR how much longer do you think you can push ROF? And I dont care if you think your doing anything wrong or not we all think you are and you will eventually be banned for it. II know your not going to listen to this but im just giving you my perspective and everyone elses. Maybe you like to be the guy nobody likes I dont see how and I feel sorry for you if you are either way you need to learn how to be a fan because you clearly dont know how. Real fans show support for their players even if they dont think they are worth shit, I hate Boris but I still root for him and hope he has a triple double every night. You really need a reality check man.
My rebuttle
Turner plays a very similar to game to Iguodola and he does not start. He comes off the bench. Does that mean he was a wasted pick?
Yes, Thompson is a different player than the two other guards. However, I feel as though Ellis is a natural 2 who’s improved his distributing with shooters around him. Ellis and Curry are similar in that both their games are better suited for the 2, like Thompson.
I do concede that the Timberwolves have a joke of a front office. They seem determined to build a team of tweeners. But the fact remains, they picked a player with similar skills to another player on the roster.
Stuckey has been serviceable. He’s a big point guard who isn’t the best distributor in the world. So they go out and draft another decent-sized PG who has showed the same ability in college to set up teammates as one Kemba Walker, who apparently has no ability to set up teammates. And Knight also had a better supporting cast.
Jimmer is a 2 guard learning to play the one, as is Tyreke Evans, although I will acknowledge that their games are very very different.
We went with the BPA at the #9 pick, and I think most experts agree that we got a steal.
To this point, most absolutely regard Evan Turner as a wasted pick (he had a great game tonight, though.) But, to my real point: do any of these players play such similar games with such mirrored weaknesses that they cannot play at the same time as their counterparts?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 11, 2012 3:52 AM EST up reply actions
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