Offense: Kris Humphries didn’t so much as revolutionize his game last season as he became a smarter basketball player. He’s still a mediocre-to-poor mid-range shooter, but rather than force those shots from 15-feet away, he cut down on the number attempts per game from that distance and started taking more shots closer to the rim (5.5 attempts per game within 10-feet last season). And whaddya know, Hump’s field goal percentage was a stout 53 percentage last season compared to 43 percent a year ago. That’s progress folks. Tied in to Hump’s increase in basketball IQ was his propensity to pass the ball rather than always forcing a shot. His assist rate of 7.0 was well above a year ago (4.5) and his usage rate also decreased from 21.0% to 17.3%. Hump clearly figured out how to do more with less.
Defense: Here’s where there’s always a debate with Humphries. He’s a fantastic rebounder, one of the best in the game and the Nets best rebounder since Jayson Williams. But rebounds alone do not make him a good defender. You’ve heard the arguments before – he’s a poor help defender and I shudder to think how he would do in man-defense situations against a true NBA center (which is possible now with Brook Lopez recovering from an injury). However, the defense is more efficient with Hump on the floor than off the floor (110.9 points per 100 possessions allowed versus 112 points per 100 possessions) and opposing PFs put up a PER (player efficiency rating) of 15.2 when Humphries played – which is just around league average. So that’ll work.
2011-12 Outlook: After having a career season, Kris Humphries went into free agency expecting a big contract and ended up resigning with his old team for just one year. I think this only works to the Nets benefit. Not just because it keeps their payroll flexible for other, “bigger” acquisitions, but it keeps Hump from getting too complacent. Was last year a fluke? Was it a contract year performance? Doesn’t matter as much now since Humphries is going to end up doing this all again next summer. The thing is, the Nets do need the Hump of last year if they’re going to compete for a playoff spot this year (and that’s not even considering the long-term implications of being without Brook Lopez).
Facts of Life: It was a quiet off-season for Kris Humphries without much going on in his life. Just basketball and … OH MY GOD IT’S THE DUDE WHO CALLED KIM KARDASHIAN FAT AND DIVORCED HER. BOOOOOOOOOO! Okay, so this is going to be an interesting NBA season for Hump and it has nothing to do with his play on the court.
Relevant Jay-Z Lyric:
Some fools just love to perform
You know the type, loud as a motorbike,
But wouldn’t bust a grape in a fruit fight,
The only thing that’s gonna happen is I’ma get to clapping
(they) gon’ be yapping to the captain
And there I go trapped in the kit kat again
Back through the system with the riff raff again
All because this fool was harrassin’ them
I was nice to girls, but that wasn’t the Shawn they felt
They said the Coupe was alright, but they didn’t like the seatbelts
I looked tight, they told me “loosen up”, run a couple lights
Spank’em, pull their hair, don’t treat ’em so nice
Left me confused, I messed with chicks that was best when abused
Nice guys finish last with they special set of rules, and me?
I over did it, all chauvinistic,
Would treat ’em so vicious would stroke, but won’t kiss it,
But now, I’m tryna flow different, I’m tryna cool it now,
I’m tryna plant a seed, start a new addition
I’m sick of chasin chickens
Name: Kris Humphries
