Points in the Paint

» November 23, 2009 5:55 PM | By Brandon Hoffman

Ken Berger on the Wizards: “The problem isn’t the number of shots Arenas is taking, but rather the number he’s making. That’s not going to change with more attempts. Considering the injuries and the complicated adjustment to Arenas’ return, the Wizards are playing well enough to win on the offensive end. According to the statistical site HoopData.com, Washington is on the plus side in three out of four key factors that contribute to winning: offensive rebound rate differential (plus-0.6), turnover rate differential (plus-1.29), and free throw rate differential (plus-1.0). The red flag is a negative-3.35 effective field-goal percentage differential, meaning opponents are shooting an average of 3 percent better when adjusted for 3-point field goals. If you want to point fingers, point to the Wizards allowing 106.9 points per 100 possessions, among the worst in the NBA.”

Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times: “The Lakers will spend $91.3 million in player salary this season and an additional $21.4 million in luxury taxes if their roster is still the same on the final day of the regular season, assuming they make no trades or minor free-agent acquisitions between now and then. Buss, 76, said he thought the team had spent wisely, though the lump sum is undeniably large. ‘It doesn’t thrill me,’ he said. ‘I don’t like to be singled out for that particular purpose, but I feel in this situation it was necessary. When it’s necessary, we’re going to do that.’ And why is that? Why cut greatly into profit margins that, in Buss’ words, came close to $30 million or $40 million last season when the Lakers won the championship with a total payroll of $86 million, including luxury taxes? Apparently, the man likes to win. ‘We want to win as many championships as we possibly can,’ Buss said. ‘We’re still a few shy of our rival and our intention is to catch them. . . . My son Joey, when he picked up the trophy, he announced our clear-cut rival, and it’s kind of obvious our whole family feels that way.’”

Humorous exchange, via Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News: “Wizards coach Flip Saunders, incensed at a blocking foul called on Oberto in the second quarter, responded to a subsequent miss by Spurs center Theo Ratliff by yelling, ‘ball don’t lie,’ the sarcastic line made infamous by Rasheed Wallace, who Saunders coached with the Pistons. Referee Derrick Stafford, who had made the call, turned to Saunders and retorted: ‘Hey, Flip, if you want to be a comedian, go ahead, because I can be funny, too.’” (HT: HoopsHype)