Hey westkoast, I know that when I post undisputed facts and numbers, I might as well be talking to a wall, but here I go again anyway . . .
First can we go ahead and assume that when someone gets more (as opposed to less) assists in a game that means he is more (as opposed to less) involved in the offense for that game. I know that should go without saying, but I just want to make sure we can agree on that at least.
Utah Won-Loss record in which AK as gotten more than or equal to assists than his season average of 5:
9-3 (75% win percentage)
Utah Won-Loss record in which AK as gotten less assists than his season average of 5:
5-10 (33% win percentage)
What conclusion do you draw?
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Carlos Boozer Scoring Average for Utah's 14 Wins:
23.0 ppg
Carlos Boozer Scoring Average for Utah's 13 Losses:
25.7 ppg
What conclusion do you draw?
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Utah Record when Boozer doesn't play -- 1-0
(I don't think Utah is a better team without Boozer I'm just posting this one for fun.
)
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During Utah's 13-5 record to start the season: Kirilenko averaged 10.8 ppg and 5.9 apg
During Utah's 1-8 record since: Kirilenko averaged 11.4 ppg and 3.7 apg
More than 2 assists per game down for AK tells me he is being used less as a facilitator of the offense (the way he should be), and therefore leading to offensive stagnancy or inefficiency.
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Now then, as to your claim that AK's newfound role on the offense has lead to him becoming lax on defense and thereby allowing Utah's team defense to flounder. From the other thread:
His assist stats are up this season so I will give you that but the improved offense seems to make the defense suffer. If AK is the anchor of that defense and he has to expend energy to create on the offensive end then I think it's a logical assumption that it is effecting him a little bit. I am use to seeing him with 3-5 blocks every night like he had 4 nights ago. Not use to seeing AK have 0 blocks and 1 steal. Odd wouldn't you agree?
This year Kirilenko has averaged 2.1 bpg, SAME 2.1 bpg as last year when you claim his low offensive output was probably because he expended more energy on defense. He has averaged 1.3 spg which is 0.2 steals more per game than last year, again refuting your claim that when he is ignored on offense, his defense becomes better. In fact his numbers this year are only 0.4 bpg and 0.2 spg less than his career averages in both categories. So I highly doubt, and the facts do not support, the assertion that him expending more energy on offense has lead to his downfall defensively and thereby is the reason for Utah's piss poor Team Defense.
