Handsome Pete's Golden Oldies Escalator
Jun 4, 2021 12:00:36 GMT -5
skrouse, Chaps, and 1 more like this
Post by Handsome Pete on Jun 4, 2021 12:00:36 GMT -5
Who needs fancy ladders or treacherous staircases! Here in Los Angeles, we recognize that 30 is the new 20, and wish to celebrate the accomplishments of some fellow 30-somethings as they age gracefully in the twilight of their careers. That's right, please enjoy the first ever edition of the Golden Oldies Escalator, in which I will rank the performance of some of TMBSL's more advanced members throughout the season.
As far as criteria, I chose to set the cut-off for consideration at 32. Why 32? Maybe it's because that seems like when older players really start to see a decline in play. Or maybe it's because I'm turning 32 this year and now I recognize that 32 is the perfect age for wisdom and experience. Either way, all of these players are 32+, flirty-two plus, and thriving!
Update Schedule: Sims 2, 7, 12
3007 - Sim 2 Update
As far as criteria, I chose to set the cut-off for consideration at 32. Why 32? Maybe it's because that seems like when older players really start to see a decline in play. Or maybe it's because I'm turning 32 this year and now I recognize that 32 is the perfect age for wisdom and experience. Either way, all of these players are 32+, flirty-two plus, and thriving!
Update Schedule: Sims 2, 7, 12
3007 - Sim 2 Update
10. Anderson Hunt - Minnesota Timberwolves - 32
Season Per-36:
Summary: Anderson Hunt has only been getting 8.8 minutes per game, but wow is he scoring like a dream! No idea what the Minnesota coach is thinking, Hunt is clearly the best point guard on the team. Age before beauty, as I always say. There's a lot of small sample size theater going on here, but maybe Anderson really is ready for a career year at the ripe old age of 32.
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
27.6 3.6 10 0.8 0.3 3.8 0.53 1 0.435 1.236 22Summary: Anderson Hunt has only been getting 8.8 minutes per game, but wow is he scoring like a dream! No idea what the Minnesota coach is thinking, Hunt is clearly the best point guard on the team. Age before beauty, as I always say. There's a lot of small sample size theater going on here, but maybe Anderson really is ready for a career year at the ripe old age of 32.
9. Kennedy Meeks - Texas Chapparals - 32
Season Per-36:
Summary: The 3rd big for the Texas Chapparals has been roughly the same level of contributor for several years now. He'll get you some decent scoring for a big and can rebound a little bit, but don't expect much help on defense. Kennedy has no use for your trifling defense.
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
18.6 8.9 2.6 0.6 0.3 1.9 0.546 0.627 0 1.145 15.1Summary: The 3rd big for the Texas Chapparals has been roughly the same level of contributor for several years now. He'll get you some decent scoring for a big and can rebound a little bit, but don't expect much help on defense. Kennedy has no use for your trifling defense.
8. Joshua Smith- Chicago Bulls - 34
Season Per-36:
Summary: Fat Joshua is still kicking in sim. Really similar player to Kennedy Meeks, although he is currently making up for a lower FG% by converting his FTs at a better clip. He gets the nod over Meeks because of slightly more scoring per-36 and a 2 year age advantage.
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
21.6 7.1 2 0.8 0.1 2.2 0.512 0.794 0 1.142 15.5
Summary: Fat Joshua is still kicking in sim. Really similar player to Kennedy Meeks, although he is currently making up for a lower FG% by converting his FTs at a better clip. He gets the nod over Meeks because of slightly more scoring per-36 and a 2 year age advantage.
7. Chief Kickingstallionsims - Chicago Bulls - 33
Season Per-36:
Summary: The Chief has had a helluva start to 3007. He's not a very efficient scorer so it would be nice if he would shoot it a little less, and his turnovers are pretty high. But 5.7 bleals per 36, plus nearly 12 boards? That's what we call a dominant defender.
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
20.6 11.7 2.8 1.4 4.3 3.1 0.493 0.691 0 1.069 19.2Summary: The Chief has had a helluva start to 3007. He's not a very efficient scorer so it would be nice if he would shoot it a little less, and his turnovers are pretty high. But 5.7 bleals per 36, plus nearly 12 boards? That's what we call a dominant defender.
6. Antonella Riva - Golden State Warriors - 35
Season Per-36:
Summary: Riva has been a P/TSA stud throughout his career, so it's disappointing to seem him sub-1.1 currently. He's still scoring at a good clip and taking care of the basketball, and the shot blocking is a nice addition but is almost definitely going to come down. If he can start converting his shots closer to his career clip, he could be a riser in the next update.
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
24.3 4.9 1.4 0.8 0.5 1.6 0.481 0.843 0.333 1.079 15.5
Summary: Riva has been a P/TSA stud throughout his career, so it's disappointing to seem him sub-1.1 currently. He's still scoring at a good clip and taking care of the basketball, and the shot blocking is a nice addition but is almost definitely going to come down. If he can start converting his shots closer to his career clip, he could be a riser in the next update.
5. Hank Gathers - Chicago Bulls - 32
Season Per-36:
Summary: Gathers is continuing to put up a very Gathers line, scoring with good efficiency and rebounding well for a wing. He continues to not defend well at all. Based on past performance, that rebounding might tick back down a little bit. Still, this is a very useful player, which is good news because he's on a big time deal.
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
23.9 8.9 3 1.1 0 2.9 0.55 0.823 0.375 1.218 18.7Summary: Gathers is continuing to put up a very Gathers line, scoring with good efficiency and rebounding well for a wing. He continues to not defend well at all. Based on past performance, that rebounding might tick back down a little bit. Still, this is a very useful player, which is good news because he's on a big time deal.
4. Bojan Dubljevic - Chicago Bulls - 33
Season Per-36:
Summary: Bojan remains a threat to lead the league in scoring year after year, although he's been struggling a little more with foul trouble as he's gotten older. His efficiency is still above average, and the shot blocking doesn't seem to be too far out of line with recent years, so he's become a better defender than early on in his career. Shout out to Mike and the Bulls, who have by far the most age and experience in Sim. We should really call them some time, because who knows how much longer they have left...
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
33.7 13.2 2.3 0.7 1.5 2.7 0.506 0.919 0.45 1.165 25.8Summary: Bojan remains a threat to lead the league in scoring year after year, although he's been struggling a little more with foul trouble as he's gotten older. His efficiency is still above average, and the shot blocking doesn't seem to be too far out of line with recent years, so he's become a better defender than early on in his career. Shout out to Mike and the Bulls, who have by far the most age and experience in Sim. We should really call them some time, because who knows how much longer they have left...
3. Devin Williams - Pittsburgh Pipers - 33
Season Per-36:
Summary: Devin Williams has been pouring it in to start the season, averaging an insane 1.28 P/TSA and continuing to rebound at an elite level. His play has been one of the main reasons for the Pipers surprisingly competent start to the season. He had a really disappointing season last year, so it remains to be seen whether this is a dead-cat bounce, or if Devin merely wanted out of Golden State and is ready to resume doing what he does best into his mid-to-late 30s.
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
31.3 12.2 1.4 1.2 0.1 2 0.597 0.747 0 1.28 25.5Summary: Devin Williams has been pouring it in to start the season, averaging an insane 1.28 P/TSA and continuing to rebound at an elite level. His play has been one of the main reasons for the Pipers surprisingly competent start to the season. He had a really disappointing season last year, so it remains to be seen whether this is a dead-cat bounce, or if Devin merely wanted out of Golden State and is ready to resume doing what he does best into his mid-to-late 30s.
2. James Blackmon - Minnesota Timberwolves - 32
Season Per-36:
Summary: Another Timberwolf, but unlike Mr. Hunt, James has been getting plenty of time to sparkle. He's a terrific scorer who led the league last year, and ahs been thriving in the outside-focused Timberwolves scheme. What's more, he's an excellent rebounder and takes care of the ball pretty well considering how many touches he gets. Not hard to imagine he might keep this level of play up at least a couple more seasons, but if a certain young whippersnapper decides to bolt in FA, would that hurt Blackmon's production?
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
34.2 6.2 4.5 0.8 0.3 2 0.52 0.923 0.457 1.247 25.5Summary: Another Timberwolf, but unlike Mr. Hunt, James has been getting plenty of time to sparkle. He's a terrific scorer who led the league last year, and ahs been thriving in the outside-focused Timberwolves scheme. What's more, he's an excellent rebounder and takes care of the ball pretty well considering how many touches he gets. Not hard to imagine he might keep this level of play up at least a couple more seasons, but if a certain young whippersnapper decides to bolt in FA, would that hurt Blackmon's production?
1. Theodoros Papalakous - Texas Chapparals - 34
Season Per-36:
Summary: Sure, his stats may not be as eye-popping as some of the others on this ramp, but Papalakous gets the benefit of the doubt for a couple reasons. First, he's fresh off a Playoff MVP performance leading the Chaps to a 2nd title in 3 seasons. Second, he's still capital E elite as a point guard in rebounding the ball and handling, and while he doesn't give you the same scoring that most top-flight PGs would, he's pretty damn good when he calls his own number. Also, he's one of the oldest players in the league still playing starters minutes, so it seems fitting that we should honor him at the top of the escalator ahead of similarly productive but slightly younger players like Devin Williams or James Blackmon.
Honorable Mentions:
Point Guards:
Devan Downey
Juwan Staten
Andrea Cinciarini
Wings:
Le'Bryan Nash
Luke Recker
Jason Capel
Bootsy Thornton
Bigs:
None
Season Per-36:
P R A S B T FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
15.6 6.6 10.4 1.1 0.2 0.9 0.521 0.933 0 1.175 19.5Summary: Sure, his stats may not be as eye-popping as some of the others on this ramp, but Papalakous gets the benefit of the doubt for a couple reasons. First, he's fresh off a Playoff MVP performance leading the Chaps to a 2nd title in 3 seasons. Second, he's still capital E elite as a point guard in rebounding the ball and handling, and while he doesn't give you the same scoring that most top-flight PGs would, he's pretty damn good when he calls his own number. Also, he's one of the oldest players in the league still playing starters minutes, so it seems fitting that we should honor him at the top of the escalator ahead of similarly productive but slightly younger players like Devin Williams or James Blackmon.
Honorable Mentions:
Point Guards:
Devan Downey
Juwan Staten
Andrea Cinciarini
Wings:
Le'Bryan Nash
Luke Recker
Jason Capel
Bootsy Thornton
Bigs:
None
