Underrated performance of last night
by Jeff Nusser on Jan 9, 2010 10:34 AM PST
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PrintCasual observers would look at Nic Wise's stat line -- 15 points, four assists, two steals, two turnovers -- and assume he had a pretty good game.
They would be wrong.
Wise played 34 minutes last night, the majority of it with Marcus Capers draped on him like sheet on a bed. Capers used his long arms to harass Wise into a 5-of-14 shooting night, including just 1-of-4 from 3-point range -- 39.2 effective field goal percentage. His season eFG is 47.7. Wise, who is cat quick, also only got to the line four times.
In fact, Wise was really only able to get free of Capers on ball screens and switches. Which is why the final Arizona possession of the game was so impressive.
Wise was dribbling to the right of the key, and an Arizona player (I can't remember who) came over to set a screen. It was a soft screen, though -- the player was more interested in rolling to the bucket than setting a good pick. Capers wisely fought through it -- which he hadn't done on the previous screen where Wise had gotten inside for a bucket -- and shadowed Wise at arms' length all the way to the rim.
The result? Wise forced up a high arcing shot over the outstretched arms of Capers that really had no chance of going in. Only a failure to box out Solomon Hill prevented the game from being over at that point.
For as much as we love to talk about the job the Big Three did last night, don't underestimate the contribution defensively of one Marcus Capers.
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good post
capers doesn’t get his due….especially from the casual cougar hoop fan. his ability to start the break on a defensive rebound is also another under rated part of his game. as this team grows I think that will be another pleasant surprise.
yes
those that have been wanting to see X start over Capers are mistaken. X is much more valuable off the bench at this point, and we would be missing our teams best on ball defender. it doesn’t show up on the stat line, but Capers is just as important to this line-up as the big three.
by Jo-Jo on Jan 9, 2010 11:27 AM PST via mobile reply actions
The only thing he has to work on
Like you mentioned, the routes he takes on screens is the biggest issue he has, in my opinion. He’s great on the ball, he can get up for the block, and can rebound, but he still has trouble with screens. There were a few times that he left a guy wide open for three because he went under or outside a screen. Then he comes back and plays the screen perfectly later on. It’s something that he’s getting better at and will only get better at over time, I think.
great post
Thanks for noticing Capers lengthy defense impact. We cringe at his O sometimes, the jump shots and FT’s— but he is a rugged defender and relentless competitor. Go Cougs
If you can't Go Cougs... don't go.
Capers knows his role on the team and plays it to a T
He plays good defense. He is unselfish. He pounds the glass. I like that he always takes one non layup/dunk every game. Once he misses, he never takes another one. He doesn’t try to force his shots.
I am blanking out on the name, but who was the player that was similar to Capers in Tony’s first year that thought he was an offensive threat and took shots out of the offense?
That is what I like about Capers so much. He plays within his limitations. He knows that he is not a star. But, he does the right things to help this team win.
YES
He’s already light years ahead of where he was last year. And it’s clear that he’s a hard worker in the offseason. I think bright things are ahead for him.
Capers is the type of player
That gives Bone the versatility to create matchup nightmares for any team on our schedule.
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