“Interview With:” TruthAboutIt
As I keep searching for more people/bloggers that are in touch with either present or past Tar Heels I once again land a great interview. On this edition of “Interview With:” I get to talk about Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood with TruthAboutIt, the TrueHoop Network blog for the Washington Wizards. You can follow TruthAboutIt on twitter as well, where you will get plenty of info/tidbits about the NBA team from the nation’s capital. So, without anymore interruptions, let’s get going with this edition of “Interview With:”…
A.E.M.: Let’s begin with the ex National Player of the Year under Dean Smith. How is Antawn Jamsion doing this year? Meeting expactions, going over and beyond them, or falling short of them?
TruthAboutIt: Jamison is as steady as they come. His numbers are a tad down this year, 21.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, .481 FG% and 19.6 PER, but still pretty damn good for 33 years old.
In fact, checking the data from Basketball-Reference.com, only 10 players in NBA history, including Jamison this year, have averaged more than 20 points and eight rebounds with a FG% higher than 48% and a PER greater than 19, and have been 33 or older. We talking names like Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing, Moses Malone, Elgin Baylor and Elvin Hayes … excellent company. Out of those on that list, the 6′5″ Baylor is the only player shorter than Jamison.
A.E.M.: If there is one thing you would like to see Jamison do more of during the games what would it be?
TruthAboutIt: Easy … defense. That Jamison’s lateral movement is lacking is understandable. He’s getting older and he’s never been great in that area anyway. At times, when I closely chart the Wizards’ defense, he seems out of position more than a smart veteran should be. According to the 1-year Defensive Rating on BasketballValue.com, Jamison has the second worst net (minus-6.48) on the Wizards. No one is asking Jamison to be the most agile guy in the world, even though that would describe his offensive trickery, but it would be nice if he were more aware.
A.E.M.: And of course, is there something you would like the forward to do less of?
TruthAboutIt: I’d like Jamison to shoot less jumpers. The Wizards are severely lacking a post-game and Antawn does have some crafty moves near the basket. But then again, that’s his game (shooting a good deal of jumpers) … and I’m sure he doesn’t want to go banging in the paint all the time at his age.
I guess I can’t complain too much. Jamison is attempting jumpers on 69% of his shots this year, which is his second lowest jumper attempt percentage in the last five seasons. His 44 eFG% on jumpers this season is tied for second best over the same time period. So, at least he’s pretty consistent (stats via 82games.com). Maybe I’d rather Jamison stop “settling” for jumpers early in the shot clock so much … but if he’s open, take them.
A.E.M.: You have a pretty interesting trade proposal involving the power forward that would ultimately land him in Cleveland. Do you believe that Jamison to the Cavs would put them as the best team from the East? (On a side note: I hope that the Wizards have Tar Heels for as long as you blog since it’s a true pleasure to follow your posts).
TruthAboutIt: As a stretch four who can also rebound and is a consummate veteran, Jamison would almost be too perfect for Cleveland and would undoubtedly make them favorites in the East. I also really hated typing that sentence (as you probably know how Wizards fans feel about Cleveland).
A.E.M.: Switching to the other Tar Heel, how is the 2009-10 season going for Brendan Haywood?
TruthAboutIt: Haywood is having what should be an All-Star season, especially considering the low center competition in the East. It’s a travesty that he was not even on the All-Star ballot. Hopefully the coaches will be smart enough to add him to the team, or at least David Stern will select him as a placement if there is an injury. One could wonder if he’s just putting up “contract year” numbers … but remember that Haywood really started to show improvement in 07-08 before he was out for almost all of last year.
A.E.M.: Just like I asked of Jamison, is there something you like to see Haywood do more of in the games and something you would like to see him do less of?
TruthAboutIt: It will probably always be a negative part of his game, but his offensive post moves are much too robotic. He spent a lot of time in Charlotte this summer (he usually works out at the Bobcats’ practice facility in the off-season) working on his jumper with ‘The Hoops Whisperer’, but I’m not sure that has provided much results this season. Before he was injured for most of last season, 33% of Haywood’s FG attempts in 07-08 were jump shots and his eFG% for those was 23.1%. This year, his jumper attempts are down to 27%, but he’s shooting a horrid 16.9 eFG% on them. The best way for Haywood to help himself would be to improve his hands. He smartly snags a lot of rebounds with both mitts, but often loses the ball when he gets it in the paint, whether it be the result of a pass or an offensive rebound.
Let me first of all thank ThinkAboutIt for this great interview, but this is not the end, as there is a surprise coming for all of you where I was able (through him) to ask a question to the above mentioned Tar Heels. I will be posting that in the coming week, so make sure to come back for that!
