camakazee
01-04-2010, 03:59 AM
Hey everyone, Cavs fan here.
First, congrats on the win. The Bobcats played a very solid defensive game and made some big plays down the stretch.
Wallace has been a player that has caught my eye for some time now and I'm appalled that he has gotten barely any All-Star votes. So here's a little something I wrote regarding his play and All-Star aspirations. Enjoy!
The Unusual Suspect: Gerald Wallace. (http://numbersdont.com/?p=561)
http://numbersdont.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/wallace.jpg
For those of you who are like me and just got around to seeing the updated All-Star voting that was put out on New Year’s Eve, you were probably pretty disgusted with the results. Tracy McGrady had the second most votes for Western guards just as Allen Iverson had the second most votes for Eastern guards. But, believe it or not, neither one of those head scratchers is what bothered me the most.
Forwards: LeBron James (Cle) 1,579,530; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,317,739; Chris Bosh (Tor) 644,473; Paul Pierce (Bos) 320,499; Josh Smith (Atl) 293,680; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 201,312; Danny Granger (Ind) 198,478; Michael Beasley (Mia) 163,737; Hedo Turkoglu (Tor) 117,168; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 114,359; Caron Butler (Was) 99,079.
No, what irritated me was the clear-cut evidence that fans are forgetting about Gerald Wallace.
To be honest, I truly don’t remember the first few times I witnessed Wallace play. During his rookie year he played the Cavaliers twice, but only logged seven total minutes in the two games combined. But he made his presence felt, and left an impression on me the following season.
In two wins against the Cavaliers in 2002, Wallace averaged 15.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in only 24 minutes, half of a game’s work, per game. Not bad for a guy who took only 8 shots in each game. But if he left an impression on me over seven years ago, why aren’t fans recognizing him today?
Well, he isn’t physically imposing, at least not by NBA standards. In fact, standing 6′7″, Wallace is closer to NBA average Joe than standout (NBA average height was 6′6.98″ in 2007). This can certainly come into play when fans are voting between Wallace and players with freakish physical builds such as LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh, and Josh Smith.
And then there’s the lack of star scoring. Wallace hasn’t changed much from those Cavs games in ‘02 in the fact that he doesn’t shoot much. So far this season he has attempted only 12.4 shots per game, which is actually his second-most attempts per game over his nine season career. Not being a 20 point-per-night type of player can certainly bruise All-Star aspirations.
However, if a guy is averaging a solid 17.9 points per game, should it matter that he’s not dominating the ball offensively? In fact, Wallace should be praised for hanging 18 a night on his opponents on only a dozen shots per game. There are only two other players, Steve Nash and Paul Pierce, that are averaging at least 17.9 points per game on less than 13 shots per game, and they have a combined 13 All-Star appearances between the two of them.
Then what is it that the fans aren’t noticing when it comes to Wallace? Well, I think it’s the same thing that sets Gerald Wallace apart; his heart.
And heart isn’t something that shows up in every boxscore, beat writer’s blog, or SportsCenter highlight. You would never guess by watching him settle in for the jumpball that he would be the most ferocious guy on the court from the second the ball goes in the air until the final second of the game. More Verbal Kint than Keyser Soze before the game starts, but maybe that’s how he prefers it.
Luckily heart isn’t something that’s completely lost in the stats. There’s a reason why 6′11″ Eddy Curry never averaged more than seven rebounds a night, yet Gerald Wallace is averaging 11.9 rebounds per game this season while playing a position that doesn’t reward players with very many easy rebounds.
http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Charlotte+Bobcats+v+Los+Angeles+Lakers+YQ5nD8c3Cqy l.jpg
Just take a second to consider what he has accomplished so far this season.
Gerald Wallace leads the NBA in defensive rebounds per game. You can reread that sentence all you want to, but it’s not a typo. Wallace is averaging 9.7 defensive rebounds per game, which happens to be more than Dwight Howard, Marcus Camby, or anyone else in the top five that has a Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
Wallace is also top five in terms of total rebounds per game with 11.9, top five in double-doubles with 20, and top fifteen in steals per game with 1.7 per contest. When looking at only Eastern conference forwards, Wallace is first in rebounds (defensive and total), first in steals, second in double-doubles, third in efficiency (22.9), fourth in points+rebounds+assists (31.8.), and seventh in scoring (17.9).
Wallace was one of only six players to grab 20 or more rebounds on at least two separate occasions this season, and was the only small forward to accomplish the feat. Also, he was one of only six players to score 30 or more points against the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, a team allows only 93.5 points per game, fourth best in the NBA (K. Bryant, A. Jamison, J. Johnson, Z. Randolph, and D. Wade were the other five).
So if Wallace is first in rebounding, first in steals, second in double-doubles, third in efficiency, and seventh in scoring among Eastern conference forwards then why are there eleven other forwards leading the voting in the East?
It can’t be because a fresh face doesn’t get a chance, as second-year forward Michael Beasley is in the top eight, firmly ahead of former All-Stars Caron Butler and Rashard Lewis.
And don’t give me the “bad team” spiel. At least not while the Bobcats presently sit in the eighth seed and players ahead of Wallace, such as Granger and Iguodala, are already thinking about kissing playoff hopes goodbye.
In all honesty, I don’t know why Gerald Wallace is being overlooked. I just know that for the life of him, Wallace can’t get a single look in his direction for All-Star voting. Maybe it’s because he’s not one of the usual suspects like Iverson or McGrady? Whatever it is, I hope that head coaches throughout the Eastern conference recognize the impact forward from Charlotte, as they’ll get the final say over All-Star reserves.
After a 31 point, 14 rebound performance in Charlotte and now a 19 point, 12 rebound game in Cleveland, both of which resulted in wins for the Bobcats, I know one coach who should think of Wallace when filling out the All-Star roster. Especially if he’s fortunate enough to coach the team once again this year.
First, congrats on the win. The Bobcats played a very solid defensive game and made some big plays down the stretch.
Wallace has been a player that has caught my eye for some time now and I'm appalled that he has gotten barely any All-Star votes. So here's a little something I wrote regarding his play and All-Star aspirations. Enjoy!
The Unusual Suspect: Gerald Wallace. (http://numbersdont.com/?p=561)
http://numbersdont.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/wallace.jpg
For those of you who are like me and just got around to seeing the updated All-Star voting that was put out on New Year’s Eve, you were probably pretty disgusted with the results. Tracy McGrady had the second most votes for Western guards just as Allen Iverson had the second most votes for Eastern guards. But, believe it or not, neither one of those head scratchers is what bothered me the most.
Forwards: LeBron James (Cle) 1,579,530; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,317,739; Chris Bosh (Tor) 644,473; Paul Pierce (Bos) 320,499; Josh Smith (Atl) 293,680; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 201,312; Danny Granger (Ind) 198,478; Michael Beasley (Mia) 163,737; Hedo Turkoglu (Tor) 117,168; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 114,359; Caron Butler (Was) 99,079.
No, what irritated me was the clear-cut evidence that fans are forgetting about Gerald Wallace.
To be honest, I truly don’t remember the first few times I witnessed Wallace play. During his rookie year he played the Cavaliers twice, but only logged seven total minutes in the two games combined. But he made his presence felt, and left an impression on me the following season.
In two wins against the Cavaliers in 2002, Wallace averaged 15.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in only 24 minutes, half of a game’s work, per game. Not bad for a guy who took only 8 shots in each game. But if he left an impression on me over seven years ago, why aren’t fans recognizing him today?
Well, he isn’t physically imposing, at least not by NBA standards. In fact, standing 6′7″, Wallace is closer to NBA average Joe than standout (NBA average height was 6′6.98″ in 2007). This can certainly come into play when fans are voting between Wallace and players with freakish physical builds such as LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh, and Josh Smith.
And then there’s the lack of star scoring. Wallace hasn’t changed much from those Cavs games in ‘02 in the fact that he doesn’t shoot much. So far this season he has attempted only 12.4 shots per game, which is actually his second-most attempts per game over his nine season career. Not being a 20 point-per-night type of player can certainly bruise All-Star aspirations.
However, if a guy is averaging a solid 17.9 points per game, should it matter that he’s not dominating the ball offensively? In fact, Wallace should be praised for hanging 18 a night on his opponents on only a dozen shots per game. There are only two other players, Steve Nash and Paul Pierce, that are averaging at least 17.9 points per game on less than 13 shots per game, and they have a combined 13 All-Star appearances between the two of them.
Then what is it that the fans aren’t noticing when it comes to Wallace? Well, I think it’s the same thing that sets Gerald Wallace apart; his heart.
And heart isn’t something that shows up in every boxscore, beat writer’s blog, or SportsCenter highlight. You would never guess by watching him settle in for the jumpball that he would be the most ferocious guy on the court from the second the ball goes in the air until the final second of the game. More Verbal Kint than Keyser Soze before the game starts, but maybe that’s how he prefers it.
Luckily heart isn’t something that’s completely lost in the stats. There’s a reason why 6′11″ Eddy Curry never averaged more than seven rebounds a night, yet Gerald Wallace is averaging 11.9 rebounds per game this season while playing a position that doesn’t reward players with very many easy rebounds.
http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Charlotte+Bobcats+v+Los+Angeles+Lakers+YQ5nD8c3Cqy l.jpg
Just take a second to consider what he has accomplished so far this season.
Gerald Wallace leads the NBA in defensive rebounds per game. You can reread that sentence all you want to, but it’s not a typo. Wallace is averaging 9.7 defensive rebounds per game, which happens to be more than Dwight Howard, Marcus Camby, or anyone else in the top five that has a Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
Wallace is also top five in terms of total rebounds per game with 11.9, top five in double-doubles with 20, and top fifteen in steals per game with 1.7 per contest. When looking at only Eastern conference forwards, Wallace is first in rebounds (defensive and total), first in steals, second in double-doubles, third in efficiency (22.9), fourth in points+rebounds+assists (31.8.), and seventh in scoring (17.9).
Wallace was one of only six players to grab 20 or more rebounds on at least two separate occasions this season, and was the only small forward to accomplish the feat. Also, he was one of only six players to score 30 or more points against the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, a team allows only 93.5 points per game, fourth best in the NBA (K. Bryant, A. Jamison, J. Johnson, Z. Randolph, and D. Wade were the other five).
So if Wallace is first in rebounding, first in steals, second in double-doubles, third in efficiency, and seventh in scoring among Eastern conference forwards then why are there eleven other forwards leading the voting in the East?
It can’t be because a fresh face doesn’t get a chance, as second-year forward Michael Beasley is in the top eight, firmly ahead of former All-Stars Caron Butler and Rashard Lewis.
And don’t give me the “bad team” spiel. At least not while the Bobcats presently sit in the eighth seed and players ahead of Wallace, such as Granger and Iguodala, are already thinking about kissing playoff hopes goodbye.
In all honesty, I don’t know why Gerald Wallace is being overlooked. I just know that for the life of him, Wallace can’t get a single look in his direction for All-Star voting. Maybe it’s because he’s not one of the usual suspects like Iverson or McGrady? Whatever it is, I hope that head coaches throughout the Eastern conference recognize the impact forward from Charlotte, as they’ll get the final say over All-Star reserves.
After a 31 point, 14 rebound performance in Charlotte and now a 19 point, 12 rebound game in Cleveland, both of which resulted in wins for the Bobcats, I know one coach who should think of Wallace when filling out the All-Star roster. Especially if he’s fortunate enough to coach the team once again this year.