Long post, but I think this is worth it:
This guy is the Cavs equivalent of the guy who was ranting about Michael Brantley being a bust. Just trolling Cleveland fans for kicks.
First of all, I
love advanced metrics. I think they provide fascinating insight. And yet here's a prime example of why you cannot rely on these numbers alone.
Let's play the same game Mr. Rosenthal wants to play. Lemme see if I can catch his tone.
"In what world is Lebron James an All Star over Draymond Green?? Draymond is better at offense and defense than Lebron, and it's not even close. I've yet to hear one advanced statistical metric that tells me I'm incorrect."
Here's my case. These stats all come from NBA.com:
1) Draymond has a better Offensive Rating and Defensive Rating than Lebron. By like, a WIDE margin. Draymonds Net Rating is astronomically higher
2) They have nearly identical TS% and eFG%, or at least close enough to not make much of a difference.
3) Draymond has a higher Assist Ratio, Assist/TO ratio, and Rebounding % across the board.
4) Draymond's team has a much better record that Lebron's.
Case in point: Draymond Green is a better player than Lebron James and it's not even close
Would you take anyone seriously who said that? I mean, I just gave you a ton of statistical metrics that staunchly prove my case.
No, of course not. Because only a blazing moron would claim that Draymond Green is a better player than Lebron James.
Kyle Korver is
amazing. He
excels in his role, and even that is an understatement. But he is able to excel because he is put in that position by three fantastic star teammates, and a unit of 11 more guys and a coach behind that that put him in that position. Also, he has the distinct advantage of playing this year in a familiar system, with familiar players, in a familiar role. Kyrie Irving is playing in a new system, with new players, in a completely new role.
So you tell me. Even if every metric favored Korver (which it doesn't), if you had to give the ball to one guy at the end of a playoff game, who do you give it to? Not "who do you set up as the recipient of the play"... Who's hands do you put it in and say "Go to work, young man."? If your answer isn't Kyrie 100 times out 100, then you're not thinking straight.
There is more to a game than just statistics. If you are comparing the two, and said "You're gonna be the man Kyrie/Kyle. You are the number one option on this team, and everyone spots 2-15 are going to be less talented than you. This is your show." Whose team wins? You put either Kyrie or Korver on the Sixers, Hornets, Wolves, Jazz, any other team with lesser talent. Which team wins more games? They Kyrie team or the Korver team?
And finally... The metrics do not give any definitive answer whatsoever that Korver is better than Kyrie. NBA.com has a handy little player comparison tool. Take a peek for yourself.
http://stats.nba.com/vs/#!/?PlayerID=202681&VsPlayerID=2594&range=2011&range=2014
Kyrie averages more assists, steals, and nearly double the points per game.
Korver clearly wins the three point battle and FG% battle. Korver is also the better defender.
Kyrie wins the battle tremendously as a finisher around the rim and in isolation.
Their offensive ratings are nearly identical. Meaning while Korver is getting his points in different ways, they score nearly just as efficiently as the other in points per 100 possessions.
Kyrie's PER is significantly higher than Korver's.
Kyrie averages more points off turnovers per game, points in transition per game, points in the paint, and draws twice as many fouls.
We could go on like this all day.
TL;DR Eric Rosenthal is a troll moron.
