Empty the Bench

By Zachariah Blott

With a quarter of the 2009-10 season already behind us, the Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns have shown marked improvement compared to last year. Although only one of these teams could suddenly be considered a world-beater (Phoenix), the other two are hanging around .500 after finishing last in their divisions a season ago (Milwaukee, Sacramento).

Let’s take a look at how each of them has done it.

Sacramento Kings

2008-2009 Record: 17-65
2009-2010 Record: 9-9

Sacramento signed head coach Paul Westphal this past summer, ending his eight year hiatus from coaching in the league (he had an unspectacular 73-62 record with Pepperdine from 2001-2006). So far, so good, as their offense and defense are both significantly improved. They surrendered an NBA worst 114.7 points per 100 possessions last year, which they’ve dropped to 109.2 this year. Statistically they’ve done better keeping the ball out of their hoop by making opponents’ shoot 46% from the field (was 48%) and grabbing 72% of possible defensive rebounds (70%).

Young big men Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes are doing their part by blocking 2.5 shots per between them and pulling down over 16 boards per. Rookie G Tyreke Evans has used his considerable size (6-6, 220) and speed to pester opposing ball handlers, and fellow rookie 6-9 Omri Casspi is a jack-of-all-trades on the defensive side.

The offense has taken a similar quantum leap. They now score 109.2 points per 100 possessions one year after logging a league near-worst 105.5. They’re hitting shots at a 47% clip (was 45%), including 39% of their triples (37%). Possibly even more important than the better shooting is what’s happening on the offensive glass. Sacramento is collecting 30% of missed shots (25%), primarily due to the jump Thompson and Hawes have shown in their play, along with rookie fireplug (6-7, 255) Jon Brockman’s 1.7 orpg in only 10 mpg. Evans has energized the offense with explosive drives, and PG Beno Udrih is shooting lights out (54% FG, 44% 3FG) and has always been a 2:1 A/TO rate distributor.

Don’t forget that SG Kevin Martin was averaging 31 ppg through 5 games before breaking his wrist; he should be back in early 2010. It remains to be seen how well this young team readjusts to Martin’s presence once he returns… and to what degree Martin makes the overall team better.

Milwaukee Bucks

2008-2009 Record: 34-48
2009-2010 Record: 9-9

The Bucks’ improvement is much more one-dimensional than the Kings, which is why their increased winning percentage hasn’t been as extreme. With Richard Jefferson’s scoring gone to the Spurs, and unspectacular but super-efficient PG Ramon Sessions gone to Minnesota (where he’s shooting 51% and nearly leading the Wolves in assists – might be time to start him, Mr. Rambis), Milwaukee’s Offensive Rating has taken a dip from 106.7 to 104.2. New coach Scott Skiles has the defense in order, however.

The Defensive Rating improved from a pedestrian 107.9 a year ago to 103.4, one of the NBA’s best this season. Although the Bucks’ are forcing turnovers on an amazing 16% of their opponents’ possessions (league average is just under 14%), this is the same amount as last year. Their defensive rebounding and three-pt defense have really stepped up, though.

Bigs Andrew Bogut, Ersan Ilyasova (returning to the NBA after 2 years in Spain), and Hakim Warrick (new to the Bucks) are combining for 22 boards per. On the perimeter, SG Charlie Bell is a tough defender who consistently forces opponents into bad shots, with Luke Ridnour (slow but smart), Brandon Jennings (fast but often lost), Carlos Delfino (athletic by Argentinian standards), and the roving Ilyasova chipping in to make things difficult for shooters. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the great defense provided by little-known C Dan Gadzuric off the bench.

Looking at the Phoenix Suns’ early-season improvements after the break…

Phoenix Suns

2008-2009 Record: 46-36
2009-2010 Record: 15-5

Like the Kings, the Suns also have a new coach, but theirs was added midseason last year. Alvin Gentry was brought in to return the Suns’ to their running ways after back-to-the-basics Terry Porter tried slowing them down, resulting in a middling 28-23 record and an early exit out of town. Gentry was an assistant under Suns architect Mike D’Antoni for 5 years and made it clear they’re again a running team that lives and dies by outscoring their opponents. Unlike the Kings and Bucks, the Suns’ improvements on offense and defense are very slight from last year, but there is improvement on both ends.

The Offensive Rating has nudged up to a league-best 114.7 from last year’s 113.6. This improvement mainly comes from the increased focus on three-point shooting on the fast break. Whereas last year’s squad had four key contributors from behind the arc (Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, Jason Richardson, Matt Barnes) who combined for 5.1 threes per at a 38% clip, they now have two big men hitting crazy numbers (Channing Frye and Jared Dudley combine to connect on 85 for 182, or 47%), plus Nash and Richardson are together hitting 4 per game and each nailing 44%. Opponents can’t possibly defend all of this while retreating frantically into the paint to stop Amar’e Stoudemire, Grant Hill, and Barbosa. Losing Shaq has only minimally impacted their offensive rebounding, which has moved from 28% to 27%.

The Defensive Rating has improved a tad from 111.6 to 110.2. The only part of the four factors (FG%, TO rate, OR rate, free throws) that seems to have noticeably improved is the free throws allowed. Last year’s Suns’ squad surrendered .23 free throws per field goal attempt (the basic ratio to measure how often one team gives up the freebies to its opponents), but now it’s down significantly to .18. This may be the result of dumb luck, however, as opponents are only connecting on 72% of free throws this year, but hit 78% last year. Phoenix continues to commit just over 20 fouls per game, so they’re either now really good at only fouling the bad shooters (Frye is probably more likely to hack big men compared to Shaq) or they’ve caught some luck up to this point. Only time will tell.

Zachariah Blott is a dish best served cold.