Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

NBA free agency: OKC should consider rolling with energetic big man Montrezl Harrell

By Alex Mcewen

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 09: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks to shoot against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half of the game at Staples Center on April 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 09: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks to shoot against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half of the game at Staples Center on April 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
NBA Free Agency
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 01: Los Angeles Clippers Center Montrezl Harrell (5) dunks the ball during an NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Clippers on April 1, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Strengths: Excels when rolling to the rim

Harrell’s ability to roll to the rim stacks up against any elite roll man or center.  Among players to run the pick and roll 100 or more times, Harrell ranked second in points per play (1.40).

Putting Harrell in the 94.7 percentile. Moreover, Harrell’s field goal percentage was 71.1 percent the best in the NBA in the pick and roll set. Harrell shot better in the pick and roll than elite centers such as Clint Capela (third), DeAndre Jordan (fourth), Rudy Gobert (fifth), and Steven Adams (sixth). Shooting a higher percentage than arguably four of the top-five centers is quite impressive.

Pass and he shall score:

Harrell had the second-best field goal percentage (63.5) on the Clippers behind only DeAndre Jordan. In fact, Harrell produced the third most efficient field goal percent in the entire NBA.

*Minimum 500 attempts, 179 players qualified

Among the top-four players in field goal percent, Harrell shot the best from the foul line 62.6 percent. While shooting in the 60’s from the charity stripe is not great, it’s far better than shooting in the 50’s. Which is exactly what Adams, Capela, and Jordan shot.

Furthermore, one aspect that makes Harrell’s high field goal percentage so remarkable is the playmakers around him. 232 of Harrell’s 348 made field goals were assisted, none of the ball handlers playing with Harrell are in the same stratosphere as Russell Westbrook. The four players to assist Harrell the most were Lou Williams (88), Milos Teodosic (33), Jawun Evans (23,) and Austin Rivers (19).

Some of those players are quality role players, yet none of them should be the primary playmaker on any team. In the Clippers defense, the primary ball handler was going to be Patrick Beverley until he went down with a torn meniscus.

Weaknesses: Inconsistency

Full disclosure — once Griffin was off the team Harrell got more consistent. However, 33 games is not a large enough sample size to judge Harrell’s improved consistency.

Furthermore, Harrell had 17 games this past season where he scored 16 points or more. Harrell also had 12 games where he scored five points or less, although he only had two such games after January 29th.

*Blake Griffin was traded on January 29th

Home/Thunder Free Agency