Points in the Paint

» February 6, 2009 9:10 PM | By Brandon Hoffman

Former ABA/NBA player, NBA coach and NBA team front office executive George Irvine is pick and rolled out: “I like games with ball and player movement. Too often when teams run the ”two- man” game, it is just that, a two man game. The other three players often just stand around, spotting up. I love to see good cuts, give and goes, back door passes. I like seeing a player come off a screen, turn and face, and take the defender while other players are moving. Most importantly, at least in keeping in mind of the intent of this site, I think that running too many pick and rolls with younger players inhibits their development as players. They don’t learn how to cut, move, read defenses, pass, or make one on one plays.”

The Chicago Bulls are planning to honor longtime team broadcaster Johnny “Red” Kerr on Tuesday. Both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are expected to attend. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when Jordan and Pippen embrace for the first time. It was only a few seasons ago when Pippen claimed he was better than Jordan. Pippen added than he felt people loved him as much as MJ: “The fans who understand the game, the GMs and coaches. I think they’d rather have a Scottie than a Michael. Because I’m an all-around player. Coaches would rather have a Scottie-type player than a Michael. I was an all-around player. I made people around me better.” Scottie was an exceptional player. He was a better all-around defender. Pippen’s advantage as a defender and facilitator didn’t come close to offsetting Jordan’s scoring ability. Here’s to hoping Pip and MJ let bygones be bygones and share a few laughs for old time’s sake.

Tom Ziller of FanHouse: “Things have been salty in Phoenix from the start, but the scenario turned real sour around Christmas … when Roger Mason stabbed the Suns in their fragile hearts. That Christmas loss put the Suns at 16-12. Since — and against a much easier schedule — Phoenix has gone 10-9. The rumors have been swirling, embarrassing losses have torn the roster and the front office apart. Late-night meetings, dark Nash quotes … just a spell of gloom. And during this spell, Amare has been guilty of the crimes accused: in 12 of the 19 games (63 percent) since Christmas, his expected per-minute rebounding has lagged far behind his level of shot-taking. This is defensive rebounding, some of which comes by default. (There’s a joke about Mark Blount in there …) You can get a few rebounds without much intent; guarding an opponent, on the other hand, doesn’t come without effort. Amare’s not exactly tanking, but his game-to-game rebounding has fallen off a cliff despite as much offensive focus as early in the season. Imagine how his defense would look if we had the right tools to measure it. But there’s good news for any prospective Amare buyer: it is all Shaq’s fault.”

Shawn Marion on how much things have changed since he was traded to the Miami Heat: “Sometimes,” Marion said, “you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone. And sometimes, you don’t know what you’re getting into.”

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