The Value of a Proper Screen

Espn.com posted this article about the Boston Celtics addition of Shaquille O’Neal and the impact O'Neal will have on Ray Allen’s game. Here is how a potential play could unfold: Rajon Rondo dribbles the ball at the top of the key while he patiently waits for O’Neal to set a screen on Allen’s defender. Allen runs around the screen, Rondo passes him the ball, and Allen drains the shot. In this scenario, Allen is credited with two points, Rondo with an assist, and O’Neal, arguably the most important part of the sequence, with nothing.

The NBA should consider adding an additional statistic to the box score: screens that lead to points scored. Few players are able to read the defense, time the play, and set a proper screen. By tracking this metric, General Managers will have another data point to help them assess the value of a player to his team. Many question why the Celtics would add O'Neal at this late stage in his career. It's important to remember that while O’Neal no longer has the ability to average a double-double each night, his 7-1, 325 pound body combined with his ability to set effective screens will create easy opportunities for his teammates.

Battle over the 6-11 Big Man

It appears that Erick Dampier will soon make a decision to either join the Houston Rockets or the Miami Heat. Dampier averaged about 6 points, 7 boards and 1 block last season - not exactly the statistics that jump out in the box score. But what Dampier would provide to either the Rockets or the Heat is far more valuable than his numbers.

Yao Ming of the Rockets will be limited to 24 minutes per game throughout the 2010-2011 regular season. Besides Ming, the team has 6-10 Jordan Hill, 6-11 Jared Jeffries and 7-0 Brad Miller, but none of these players are true centers. Even if Dampier is not a rebounding or blocking machine, his 6-11, 265 pound body will serve as a solid backup when Ming needs to rest.

Miami arguably needs Dampier even more than Houston because Miami's biggest weakness is inside. Miami can't afford a large contract so the team can't add another star player. Moreover, for the majority of each game, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will have possession of the ball. Therefore the Heat should sign a player whose effectiveness is independent of ball possession. Dampier does not demand the ball - he would complement the team by playing solid defense, grabbing offensive boards and plugging the middle.

Even though Dampier does not light up the box score, he does provide a strong defensive presence. Both the Rockets and Heat should be working hard to sign Dampier – they will both benefit from adding a 6-11 body inside.