teej
05-28-2010, 06:14 PM
I've read a lot about how Gerald doesn't have much more production left, that he's not going to be an impact player, etc. I just wanted to show you guys some stuff.
Kobe Bryant is 31. He's been playing in the NBA since he was 17. He's played 37,366 minutes in the regular season, and another 7,481 minutes in the playoffs. That's 44,767 NBA minutes. Crash is 27, and has been in the NBA since he was 19. He's played 16,184 minutes in the NBA regular season, 216 playoff minutes, and I'll throw in his 824 college minutes. That's a grand total of 17,224 minutes. That's well under HALF of what Kobe's played. But hey, Kobe's a once in a lifetime talent. So let's find someone else, right?
How about Lamar Odom. They both like candy, and have a few other similarities. Lamar is 30, has played in the NBA since he was 20, and has racked up a good bit of minutes. He's played 26,849 NBA regular season minutes, 2,978 playoff minutes, and 1,116 college minutes. That's a total of 30,943. At Gerald's current pace, he won't reach that amount until he's 31 or 32, and that's after his current contract ends. So even if Lamar Odom hits a brick wall next year, which I don't hear Laker fans screaming, we should expect 4 more years out of Crash, right? Well, some of you I'm sure are thinking that Crash is more physical than Lamar. True. So let's get a better indicator, right?
Maybe Shawn Marion is a good comparison? Ugly jumpers, great steals guys, and excellent rebounders. Both are right around 6'7, 220, and both are superb defenders. Some people think Marion's on the backside of his career, and that's probably true at age 31. But even so, if you look at playing time, once again Gerald is in good shape. Marion has played 30,405 NBA regular season minutes. Add in 2,790 playoff minutes and 954 college minutes, and he's at 34,149. So while he's on the downside of his career, once again we see Crash has plenty of time left.
I don't see the reason for panic here...we're talking about a 27 year old All-Star. He's played 2,239 more minutes than Danny Granger, and is the same age. Seriously, guys. C'mon.
Kobe Bryant is 31. He's been playing in the NBA since he was 17. He's played 37,366 minutes in the regular season, and another 7,481 minutes in the playoffs. That's 44,767 NBA minutes. Crash is 27, and has been in the NBA since he was 19. He's played 16,184 minutes in the NBA regular season, 216 playoff minutes, and I'll throw in his 824 college minutes. That's a grand total of 17,224 minutes. That's well under HALF of what Kobe's played. But hey, Kobe's a once in a lifetime talent. So let's find someone else, right?
How about Lamar Odom. They both like candy, and have a few other similarities. Lamar is 30, has played in the NBA since he was 20, and has racked up a good bit of minutes. He's played 26,849 NBA regular season minutes, 2,978 playoff minutes, and 1,116 college minutes. That's a total of 30,943. At Gerald's current pace, he won't reach that amount until he's 31 or 32, and that's after his current contract ends. So even if Lamar Odom hits a brick wall next year, which I don't hear Laker fans screaming, we should expect 4 more years out of Crash, right? Well, some of you I'm sure are thinking that Crash is more physical than Lamar. True. So let's get a better indicator, right?
Maybe Shawn Marion is a good comparison? Ugly jumpers, great steals guys, and excellent rebounders. Both are right around 6'7, 220, and both are superb defenders. Some people think Marion's on the backside of his career, and that's probably true at age 31. But even so, if you look at playing time, once again Gerald is in good shape. Marion has played 30,405 NBA regular season minutes. Add in 2,790 playoff minutes and 954 college minutes, and he's at 34,149. So while he's on the downside of his career, once again we see Crash has plenty of time left.
I don't see the reason for panic here...we're talking about a 27 year old All-Star. He's played 2,239 more minutes than Danny Granger, and is the same age. Seriously, guys. C'mon.