I hate creating "New Threads" but I had to get this out here. Been reading too much hate on my boy Ben Gordon, I wanted to put Ben Geezy into perspective: There are only 8 Sg's in the league who averaged over 20ppg last year. For the folks who don't like Ben, look at his stats and compare them to the other SG's and also compare their salaries that they will earn this upcoming season: Wade ($15.8M) / 30.2ppg / FG% 49.1 / 3FG% 31.7 / FT% 76.5 Bryant ( $23M) / 26.8ppg / FG% 46.7 / 3FG% 35.1 / FT% 85.6 K Mart($10.2M) / 24.6ppg / FG% 42.0 / 3FG% 41.5% / FT% 86.7 Roy ($3.9M) / 22.6ppg / FG% 48.0 / 3FG% 37.7 / FT% 82.4 JoeJo ($15M) / 21.4ppg / FG% 43.7% / 3FG% 36.0 / FT% 82.6 Redd ($17M) / 21.2ppg / FG% 45.5 / 3FG% 36.6 / FT% 81.4 Vince C. ($16M) / 20.8 / FG% 43.7 / 3FG% 38.5 / FT% 81.7 Gordon ($9M) / 20.7ppg / FG% 45.5 / 3FG% 41.0 / FT% 86.4 Ben is the lowest paid person on this list, except for Roy who's playing under his rookie contract. Look folks young SG's, who can drop 20+ppg, shoot it straight from the floor, the arc, and the stripe; who's best days are still in front of them, are not easy to come by. When they do you can't sit on your hands because you just happen to have 31 yr-old SG who's best days are behind him on your roster. We got a really good young SG, for a very good price and we are a better team as a result.
still, you can pass by a good SG if you have heavier weaknesses at other positions, as the Pistons do. These where the more important issues to fix. More important than the non- issue at the SG spot. Question is if you want to improve your team by strengthening the weaknesses or get whoever is available at a good price. I'd rather go for the first.
Ben Gordon is one of my favorite players and his addition will only make us better if we start him and trade Rip for a legit big like Tyson, Bosh (which won't happen) or (I hate to say it) but...even Carlos Boozer!
You can't improve everything at once, especially with the current salary cup. So, you accumulate pieces. It took Joe some time to build his championship team. It is unreasonable to expect him to build it overnight. Gordon is one piece. Give the guy some time to get other pieces to fill the void.
@KGreg, as I wrote yesterday, Ben's eFG and TS% are really good. He might be the 7th or 8th on that list by scoring and 6th or 7th by salary (incorporating Mik's contribution) but he is top half on his shooting percentages which means he is actually less of a volume scorer relative to his elite peers than many assume. I want a volume scorer who makes shots. A couple percentage points on 3s and free throws is the difference between a 2 point win or loss. Does anyone know where we can find stats on fouls given and received? Dougstats? I'd like to look at the myth of Gordon being a defensive liability, because I think offensive players win their matchups on their strengths (Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen) not their weaknesses.
Thanks for this thread KGreg. Make sure you keep a mental note of the folks who are haterating on Ben because these for the same ones who will be giving out the love come some time next season. Welcom BGGGGGGGGGGGGG and GO PISTONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
LOL. Very true, I just find it funny how people rip on him, even when they are trying to be positive. Read this article. What Ben Gordon's Departure Means for Derrick Rose - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN The part I found most amusing.... then he writes this further down... Okay. Better...by what...less than a percentage point. Not to mention until last year Salmons had never shot above 36% from the arc. Ben Gordon has NEVER shot below 40% from 3-point range **knock on wood**. Salmons had a career year. Your telling me anyone would take Salmons over Gordon out on the wing? Yea, that is what I thought. The author then admits that teams fear Gordon more, but hey Salmons is almost just as good.
You are making too much sense. But yes he was a good pickup. Kept the Bulls in the playoffs last year. I bet they do not even make the post-season this year.
I believe Joe got a 2fer by signing Ben. We pick up a gunner with range to bolster our offense, and Chicago lost their best player. As a divisional rival, the road to the playoffs gets easier when Chicago loses Gordon for nothing and is sitting on cap space that might not materialize next offseason.
I'm looking forward to seeing the Pistons play using Ben. I think Joe is right in seeing that our "core" was getting stale. Other teams had us figured out. Having Ben draw so much attention will open the door for Stuckey and Prince (if he's still around).
You want know something funny? This is the exact type of roster Flip Saunders would flourish with as a coach Oh the irony!!!!
Salmons is what, 29 years old? I know there are "late bloomers" so to speak, but that seems a bit odd. Salmons is gonna have to proof that last year wasn't a fluke because his numbers last year were way out of line with his career stats.
lol Right before I read *knock on wood*, I did just that... Anyway, I seen on either NBA TV or ESPN that Ben Gordon has the highest career 3-point percentage of ANY player that averaged more than 18.5 points. And you are correct, BenGo has never shot below 40% beyond the arc. **knocks on wood agan**lol In fact, his lowest percentage was his rookie year at 40.5%
Ben Gordon is one of the most unique scorers I've ever seen. And he isn't as bad on defense as most people assume just because of height.
The question is can Gordon average 20 points a game coming off the bench. Can he average 20 points with RIP and Stuckey on the roster. Yes, I said Stuckey. Stuckey is a 2 guard that can play point guard. As long as the Pistons keep trying to force him to be a primarily a PG he is not going to reach his full potential.
Put me on record, I like the signing of Ben Gordon. My only problem is that having him and Rip at the same time makes zero sense. If Joe trades Rip for something that helps the team, I'm 100% backing this signing. If he doesn't, I have no idea what the heck Joe is thinking.
