TWO BITS: Parsons’ dunk, Lee’s game-winner

Thanks Daniel!

Brewer and Parsons are comparable as shooters. I took a look at the numbers. Very close.

I don’t see how which “option” he is determines how well he shoots the ball. Brewer was not the fourth option by any means. At the worst, I would call him the third. Humphrey may have shot more threes, but Brewer was the team’s best perimeter player and best overall shooter (he made mid-range jumpers, too). Humphrey spotted up, Green took his off the dribble and Brewer did a combination of both. If you want to talk about shooters benefiting from the strong interior game, look at Humphrey and Green. Brewer may have spotted up, but he would also fake the three, take a dribble inside the arc and pop a jumper. Most of Parsons’ baskets are from downtown or driving to the basket – which is why his FG% is so high (layups, dunks, runners). On strictly shooting, I give the edge to Brewer.

As you said, you ARE arguing against yourself. I would argue that on many occasions Brewer was the No. 2 option on that team, considering it is difficult to have your top two options both in the post. As far as Humphrey, he was the best long-range shooter when open. Brewer could shoot from three and also made mid-range jumpers. And he could do both while his shots were contested.

In 2006 and 2007, Humphrey’s three-pointers amounted for 83% and 81% of his total shot attempts. For Brewer, that number was 33% both years.

You can’t say Humphrey could shoot from anywhere on the floor because he rarely did – unlike Brewer who actually achieved that. Your argument that Brewer was left open “more than anyone” because of doubling down low is simply incorrect: Humphrey and Green were open more than anyone else on that team. They were spot-up shooters. Brewer, Horford and Jo were always covered and defended well. They created shots (Horford and Jo mostly in the post, Brewer mostly mid-range jumpers and drives to the hoop).

Parsons is the No. 1 option on a team lacking shooting options. That doesn’t make him a better shooter than Brewer. I respect your opinion Drew, and you could very well be right in theory that Parsons is a “better” shooter than Brewer (which is negligible at best). But your evaluation of Brewer, how he was defended, how he shot, etc. is dead-wrong in my opinion.

As you said yourself, “that’s a lot of ifs and buts” you are using to try and make your point. Drew, I refer back to my last comment and I am dropping the subject – I have too much to do.