First to the Flooring: Derrick White vs. Marcus Good? Payton Pritchard vs. Al Horford? Who ya received?

On this episode, Ben, Jake, and I speak large image on the place the workforce sits, focus on some commerce deadline targets, rapidly preview the Warriors sport, and introduce a brand new (hopefully recurring) phase: Celtics Faceoff. The phase is pretty easy. We current two gamers and consider who is healthier at a selected talent. It ended up being extraordinarily enjoyable and I feel offers a unique approach to consider and focus on particular components of those gamers’ video games. So, with out additional ado, right here is Spherical 1 of Celtics Faceoff.

Marcus Good v. Derrick White: Display screen Navigation

Beginning off with a tough one. This seems like selecting between two of my kids (though I solely have one so I don’t actually know what that seems like), two guys that excel getting round screens, whether or not it’s when guarding a excessive ball display screen or chasing round shooters.

Good makes use of his energy and physicality to stand up and over most screens, whereas White is extra serpentine in the best way he sneaks by them.

Everyone knows Good is the grasp of drawing offensive fouls when he will get screened, and he’s received that candy spin transfer when he goes underneath. These may simply be sufficient for him to edge out Derrick White.

Spooney’s verdict: Marcus Good by a hairline.

Al Horford v. Luke Kornet: Rim Safety

Appears type of like a joke at first, however really an fascinating one. This isn’t evaluating them as general defenders, the place Al would go away Luke to date behind he’d want precise wings, not the Stromile Swift model, to catch as much as him. However, on simply rim safety, it’s really pretty shut.

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports activities

Al barely edges Luke in blocks per sport, .9 v. .8, however per-36 minutes, it’s not shut. Luke is at a gawdy 2.4 blocks per 36 minutes, greater than Rob Williams, to Al’s 1.1. That’s a examine in Luke’s favor, however the extra detailed defensive numbers inform a unique story.

Al is contesting a wholesome 5.8 photographs per sport taken lower than 6 ft away, and opponents’ discipline purpose proportion drops a ridiculous 11.2% with Al defending. Opponents shoot 2.3% worse on fewer photographs with Luke defending in the identical space. Good, however not elite.

Spooney’s verdict: Al continues to be educating classes on the way to defend the rim.

Payton Pritchard v. Al Horford: Offensive Rebounding

Payton Pritchard averages 1.8 offensive rebounds per-36 minutes to Al Horford’s 1.3. His 4.7% offensive rebound proportion edges out Al’s 3.8%. Pritchard has the posh of by no means being boxed out, whereas Al is consistently preventing for place towards the largest dudes on the opposing workforce. Watching Pritchard rebound is absolutely, actually enjoyable although.

“I simply sneak in and skim it off the rim. Plenty of rebounds usually are not above the rim. They’re beneath. So, it’s who’s going to be the quickest to get there,” Pritchard stated after grabbing three offensive rebounds towards the Brooklyn Nets.

I do know what the numbers say, however I actually don’t care.

Spooney’s verdict: Al is the right reply, proper? proper??!!

Jayson Tatum v. Marcus Good: Publish scoring

I really don’t suppose this one is especially shut this season. If this had been playmaking from the put up, we would have a dialogue, however Tatum’s put up up numbers are absurd. Tatum clears Good in nearly each manner from the put up. Extra possessions (65 to twenty-eight), increased factors per possession (1.37! to .93), and better rating frequency (67.7% to 46.4%). Tatum isn’t simply the very best put up scorer on the workforce, he has an argument for the very best within the league. He’s within the 98th percentile of put up effectivity per NBA.com, and man, does it look good when he’s received it going.

Good is not any slouch within the put up, particularly for a 6’3” guard. He’s within the 53rd percentile as a put up scorer. Not unhealthy, Marcus, however you simply ran right into a juggernaut.

Spooney’s verdict: Jayson Tatum.

Blake Griffin v. Luke Kornet: Comedic Worth

MJ v. LeBron. Ketchup v. Mustard. Is a sizzling canine a sandwich? Among the best debates of our time don’t have anything on this heavyweight duel. Kornet has the on-court antics, the goofy facial expressions after that reverse end, the Stromile Swift celly.

He’s additionally fairly humorous in interviews. That stated, Blake Griffin is an precise comic, form of, who does actual stand-up units. Looks like a fairly simple one.

Spooney’s Verdict: Luke in a LANDSLIDE.

I hope you get pleasure from this one, we had lots of enjoyable recording it and tell us within the feedback your ideas on the Celtics Faceoffs. Please keep in mind to subscribe to the CelticsBlog podcast feed and First to the Flooring on YouTube. Thanks for listening!