I think Zoran's been more than numbers. His aggressiveness on offense and overall energy has really helped us during the winning streak.
Zoran's Numbers in Last Six Games
54 minutes: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals. On a per 40 minute basis, that works out to a very nice stat line: 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 3.7 steals. He is shooting 9-for-19 overall [47.4%], 2-for-7 from beyond the arc [28.6%].
And he is happy it's working out...as D'Alessandro reports today:
Zoran Planinic admits that for a while there, he was worried it would never happen for him in New Jersey.
"Yeah ... but I didn't want to think that way," the Nets' latest eighth man said. "I figured I would just practice hard, and see what was going to happen, you know, waiting for the summer."
Of course, that mood has essentially been wiped away by the last five games: He's played 54 minutes during the win streak, and filled in every spot in the box score -- 20 points, eight boards, nine assists, five steals.
"I wanted to find my role here, and just be aggressive, playing as hard as I can on the defensive end," Planinic said. "You know, I'm never scared on the offensive end. It's on defense that I had to be more aggressive.
"But it's easier when you play. Everything is good now. I just want it to stay this way. We're winning, we're in good position for playoffs, I'm contributing. So everything is good now."
Planinic had eight points and two assists last night in the Nets' 112-100 rout of the Wizards, and he was a major player during the game-busting 25-13 run at the top of the fourth quarter.
http://www.nj.com/nets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/114300790012980.xml&coll=1
And he is happy it's working out...as D'Alessandro reports today:
Zoran Planinic admits that for a while there, he was worried it would never happen for him in New Jersey.
"Yeah ... but I didn't want to think that way," the Nets' latest eighth man said. "I figured I would just practice hard, and see what was going to happen, you know, waiting for the summer."
Of course, that mood has essentially been wiped away by the last five games: He's played 54 minutes during the win streak, and filled in every spot in the box score -- 20 points, eight boards, nine assists, five steals.
"I wanted to find my role here, and just be aggressive, playing as hard as I can on the defensive end," Planinic said. "You know, I'm never scared on the offensive end. It's on defense that I had to be more aggressive.
"But it's easier when you play. Everything is good now. I just want it to stay this way. We're winning, we're in good position for playoffs, I'm contributing. So everything is good now."
Planinic had eight points and two assists last night in the Nets' 112-100 rout of the Wizards, and he was a major player during the game-busting 25-13 run at the top of the fourth quarter.
http://www.nj.com/nets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/114300790012980.xml&coll=1
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Totally agree, but the numbers aint bad either.NJ Grand NJ said:I think Zoran's been more than numbers. His aggressiveness on offense and overall energy has really helped us during the winning streak.
As ghoti has been articulating recently, an agressive Zoran on the offensive end provides both offensive balance for the team and a matchup problem.
As I was the first person to go crazy when it was stated that RodSki might let Zoran leave...I feel like da man!
Not to mention people on the boards told me to relax and it's just Zoran.
Not to mention people on the boards told me to relax and it's just Zoran.
His D on non point guards has been very good too. As is evident by his steal total, statistics I think are true in this case.
First time all season we had a spark off the bench. Someone who is able and willing to drive hard against the defense.
You just have to wonder that if Frank hadnt been so stubborn in the earlier parts of the season, the team could be pretty close to 50 wins right now
Hold on with the Frank bashing. If Frank had accpeted the defensive effort Zoran and Murray were accustomed to...we could be worse off now. Not to mention MJax, who may be the worst defensive center I have ever seen.Hbwoy said:You just have to wonder that if Frank hadnt been so stubborn in the earlier parts of the season, the team could be pretty close to 50 wins right now
Very true. The Zoran people are appreciating on the court right now has been molded to some extent by Lawrence Frank. Like it or not.rundmc00 said:Hold on with the Frank bashing. If Frank had accpeted the defensive effort Zoran and Murray were accustomed to...we could be worse off now. Not to mention MJax, who may be the worst defensive center I have ever seen.
While his improved defense is nice, his best contributions are still on the offensive end and are the result of confidence. Confidence he would have had far earlier if he had been given some freedom to make mistakes. Especially considering how many mistakes McInnis was allowed to make.Netted- said:Very true. The Zoran people are appreciating on the court right now has been molded to some extent by Lawrence Frank. Like it or not.
His improved defense is more than nice. The old Zoran would either foul out in 10 minutes or give up more than he could help score. While I would have used Zoran more earlier, he was a liability in many cases.cpawfan said:While his improved defense is nice, his best contributions are still on the offensive end and are the result of confidence. Confidence he would have had far earlier if he had been given some freedom to make mistakes. Especially considering how many mistakes McInnis was allowed to make.
His defense was simply a matter of time. Again, in comparison to McInnis (who's playing time he would have taken), Zoran was no worse.rundmc00 said:His improved defense is more than nice. The old Zoran would either foul out in 10 minutes or give up more than he could help score. While I would have used Zoran more earlier, he was a liability in many cases.
Confidence does wonders for a player.
"Defense is a matter of time." If only it was true.cpawfan said:His defense was simply a matter of time. Again, in comparison to McInnis (who's playing time he would have taken), Zoran was no worse.
Confidence does wonders for a player.
I totally agree with the confidence part and I think Frank could have worked better with Zoran, but you can't say Frank had no impact on making him the player he is and the player he will become.cpawfan said:His defense was simply a matter of time. Again, in comparison to McInnis (who's playing time he would have taken), Zoran was no worse.
Confidence does wonders for a player.
That's like saying Pop's yelling had no impact on Parker or that it hurt his confidence which slowed down his growth. Popovich and Frank are not alike and Parker and Planinic are not alike, but my point is you can't constantly worry about a player's confidence and not instill some discipline as a result. Like I said, Frank could have absolutely handled Zoran better, but it doesn't negate what he's done for him.
And I agree with Run, defense is not always a matter of time. Particularly with a lot of European players, not all, but a lot.
That isn't an absolute statement on my part, rather in specific regards to Zoran. He demonstrated more defensive effort during the summer than he had shown the season before.rundmc00 said:"Defense is a matter of time." If only it was true.
You're misunderstanding me. I'm not saying Frank didn't have an impact on him, rather (and in violation of my looking forward policy) I'm saying Frank did him and the Nets a diservice by not letting him play through his mistakes.Netted- said:I totally agree with the confidence part and I think Frank could have worked better with Zoran, but you can't say Frank had no impact on making him the player he is and the player he will become.
That's like saying Pop's yelling had no impact on Parker or that it hurt his confidence which slowed down his growth. Popovich and Frank are not alike and Parker and Planinic are not alike, but my point is you can't constantly worry about a player's confidence and not instill some discipline as a result. Like I said, Frank could have absolutely handled Zoran better, but it doesn't negate what he's done for him.
And I agree with Run, defense is not always a matter of time. Particularly with a lot of European players, not all, but a lot.
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
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