It’s late in the 1st quarter and Randy Foye is 3/3 from 3-point land. Also, someone on Twitter just linked out an article on Eric Bledsoe recently playing better. I find myself inspired.
To the various NBA statistical websites! (I’ll keep it short sense most people seem to like that and I’m also trying to watch the game).
Randy Foye’s 3-point shooting before the All-Star Break: 33.6%.
Randy Foye’s 3-point shooting since the All-Star Break: 38.6%.
That’ll do, Randy. That’ll do.
On the Eric Bledsoe end, he’s been solid recently. In his last 5 games, he’s assisted way less than you would expect in terms of him being a guy drafted to play PG, and also his turnover rate has been mediocre for a game-controlling point guard and horrid for what he really is — a shoot-first point guard defensive specialist that cannot shoot consistently from range but can bring the ball up the floor and push in transition.
The main thing about Bledsoe so far in his career for me is that he isn’t all that well utilized in the halfcourt offensively (although he can have at least a neutral impact there if the team finds a way to get him slashing off-ball more, I think), but he kills in transition. Also, as I type, he’s killing the Kings’ defense by driving and dishing. It is important to note that the Kings are a terrible defensive team and basically had Jimmer Fredette out on the floor trying to cover him, but still. These are relatively obvious statements, but sometimes there’s no hidden secret in regards to a player’s performance
He’s also very active and capable physically on D (and the numbers bear it out in terms of defensive rating with him on the floor), but he also still sometimes has foul issues due to his aggression. Still, he’s a great hope for the future in terms of the Clippers’ perimeter D.
Let me temper all of this by saying that this sample is only 15 minutes per game over the course of 5 games. If you look back 10 games, things are basically the same as they ever were for EB. Never the less, I think we can see a positive impact-making role for him, and that’s excellent news for everyone.
Why am I talking about this? The Clippers have needed role players to step up all season long, and we might be witnessing that as the playoffs approach. Yippee!
