Re: Penny

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

>  I have said this before, but it is again appropriate:
> 
> "Let's get Travis Knight; he's really a 4, but we can play him at 5."  
> Where's Travis Knight?
> 
> 'Let's draft Chauncy Billups; he likes to play 2, but we can put him at 1." 
> Where's Chauncy Billups?
> 
> "We got Andrew DeClerq; he's really a 4, but we'll start him at 5."  Where's 
> DQ?
> 
> "Let's get Penny; he wants to play 2, but we'll put him at 1."  ????

This analogy breaks down in several ways. First, unlike the others, Penny
has the ability to play both positions. Second, the others are a rookie
and a couple chumps, whereas Penny is an All-NBA talent. Even if he "only"
played 2 for the Celtics, he'd still help the team from that position with
his ballhandling and passing.

I think part of the reason that Penny wanted to play 2 for the Magic was
because Orlando was such an pathetic offensive team (22nd in scoring,
42.8% FG, worse than Boston). Of course, moving him to 2 meant that Nick
Anderson didn't fit in so it wasn't a very team-oriented idea. Beyond
that he just felt that he didn't get enough shot attempts. 

Mercer averages about 17.2 shot attempts per game. Kenny averages 10.5.
Hardaway averaged 14.3 shot attempts this season and 14.8 in his most
prolific season 95-96, when he scored 21.7 ppg (he went the the free throw
line quite a bit and shot 51% with quite a few three pointers). Anyways,
I imagine if you just gave him Mercer's shots and a few of Kenny's, 
he'd be quite happy with his offensive roles.

If you count shot attempts plus FT/2 you get:
 Mercer  18.52
 Kenny   11.99
 Penny   16.45 
        (18.35 in 95-96).

Anyways, there are enough shot opportunities to go around between Walker,
Pierce, and Hardaway. I would think that Pitino's offensive system of not
running the offense solely through the point guard might appeal to Hardaway
playing point; he'd just need to get the ball up the court and give it to
the high post, then move without the ball to get his shot - just like a 
shooting guard. It's what Kenny Anderson had trouble with but something that
Hardaway might actually prefer.

Alex