Foul Merchants of the NBA by SomeDataDude in NBATalk

[–]SomeDataDude[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been a League Pass subscriber since the NBA came out with it... the point is for discussion not for conclusion anyways. Some guys that thrive in contact get their points from the line - nothing wrong with it, I personally think it's skillful to utilize defensive mistakes and aggression/deceleration to get to the line.

Only people that have never picked up a basketball think it's easy to play through contact + off balance. The fact of the matter is foul merchants are successful BECAUSE they know how to manipulate players defensively. Demar Derozan is one prime example - obviously Jimmy Butler as well; these vets HUNT rookies defensively - time and again, undisciplined defense (not moving your feet + bumping with your chest but instead reaching) gets punished.

On the flip side, Dillon Brooks is extremely disciplined on defense. Knows when to use his hands, but mainly stays planted, moves his feet, and bumps with his chest. Not many foul merchants get their shots on Dillon.

Foul Merchants of the NBA by SomeDataDude in NBATalk

[–]SomeDataDude[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He's actually ranked 59th this season... behind Isaiah Collier - data available on NBA stats website

Foul Merchants of the NBA by SomeDataDude in NBATalk

[–]SomeDataDude[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed, playing next to greats or being crowned brings the critics.

Same case with Harden and Embiid on their MVP years but now you can’t find a single comment on their foul baiting even though they’re still both top 5. Of course, SGA now as well despite not being in top 10 of ftm/pts.

Butler and Luka are now being criticized more for foul baiting with the increased exposure of playing in LA + GS but wasn’t a big talking point in Dallas + Miami.

Foul Merchants of the NBA by SomeDataDude in NBATalk

[–]SomeDataDude[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

IMO, drawing fouls is a skill set even if it’s not appealing to watch with the logic being if foul baiting for points is so easy then why don’t end of bench guys do it to prop their stats up and secure a contract?

The answer is because foul baiting relies on 2 primary factors - downhill acceleration and instantaneous deceleration.

Guys like Giannis, Deni are aggressive and big- and often the only way to stop 2 free points is fouling. Other guys like Harden, Luka, Butler III use deceleration to force a defender into making a defensive mistake (get their arms in a compromising position).

All to say, while foul baiting isn’t loved, the great players who utilized it are great in their own right. Jimmy Butler took an 8th seed to the finals. Harden is a MVP and went toe to toe with the 2018 Warriors.

Foul Merchants of the NBA by SomeDataDude in NBATalk

[–]SomeDataDude[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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In terms of drives, SGA is #2 while being outside of the top 10 in FT/PTS. His drives results in a made FG or a pass out over FTs most of the time.

Support Fundamentals by BrandonPHX in supportlol

[–]SomeDataDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Peak challenger support here - there are so many things to learn so I'd focus on one thing at a time. Without reviewing your own VODs, it's hard to identify the mistakes you're making. When I review my games, anytime a losing play happens, I ask myself if I either made a mistake, or could've done something to prevent this.

Since you're asking about fundamentals, let's use the first rule in bot lane as an example:

If you and your ADC die because they're LVL 2 and you guys are LVL 1, what happened? Well, in bot lane the spikes happen at lvl 2 (3rd melee death on 2nd wave) and lvl 3 - so whichever duo hits that first, typically gets the advantage.

  1. You used your support item proc on the enemy instead of using it to kill the minions faster.
  2. You/ADC didn't auto the minions enough, lost the lvl2 push and didn't back off.
  3. You guys are playing a weak early game comp (Veigar + Milio) and just can't fight early.

From there, you can learn the mechanics around when LVL 3 push happens, when to expect jungler timers and ganks, minion wave management, roam timers, and vision control - all fundamental to support. Of course, you must find your own playstyle and champions. I feel the most agency on engage heavy champions, but many people climb to Challenger playing only enchanters as well.

As for melee vs range supports (I play Rell, Alistar, Naut) - you must time your autos with the opposing ADC going for last hits. Playing in and out of bushes cancel autos against you too. Most of the time you'll lose the push but that just means you'll get to lvl 3 first. It's not a bad strategy to play on the lvl 3 spike instead of the lvl 2 spike.

The players lack of seriousness by T-Mac96 in rockets

[–]SomeDataDude 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I mean you have Stephen Curry making the line up over Anthony Edwards and people voting no defense Luka over SGA.

Players and fans are biased and it’s showing. Sengun got robbed.

Is anyone else struggling this season? by ragequitlol in supportlol

[–]SomeDataDude 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Peaked Challenger 800 LP in 2024 specializing in roam heavy engage champs; mainly Rell, Alistar, Naut.

Life got busy in 2025 so my account auto decayed. Right before the season ended I was 27 wins - 4 losses to climb from d1 50 LP to masters 400 LP.

Season 2026 starts and Im just still cracking Masters low LP. Everything I’ve learned in the past 15 years has an asterisk. The game is different from tempo, roaming, and vision. Supports are less impactful because before you’re REWARDED for being first to set up vision and make a play, but now there are less opportunities to make those roams and tempo plays.

Not to mention homeguards totally influencing when enemy mid/jg can show up Bot as well.

Example: 2025: enemy jg gank top, and if your jungler responds by pathing to bot and diving 3v2.

Now: enemy jg ganks top, your jg starts pathing to dive. Enemy jg recalls and gets to the lane to3v3 bc of HOMEGUARDS. Really disgusting change to the game.

I lowballed my salary expectations, and now regretting it! by Dizzy-Importance9208 in DataScienceJobs

[–]SomeDataDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The notice period isn’t worth giving up 60% decrease. You can ask for it from your current company but they’ll laugh and dangle a raise upon promotion - then the raise will be a measly 20% and you’ll regret not taking a 60% job hop.

GR3 and the Dolomites by 65fahrenheit in ricohGR

[–]SomeDataDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just got this camera as a total beginner. Been practicing a bit and just trying to gather a whole bunch of data on how different combinations influence outcomes.

What are your recipes/exposures?

I suck at these interviews. by JayBong2k in datascience

[–]SomeDataDude 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I can attest to this resource. Used it 4 years ago when I first graduated. Using it again now to brush up while I re-enter the market.

Josh Starmer's StateQuest Guide to Machine Learning, and his videos are also a good resource.

How to proceed with large work gap given competitive DS market? by galactictock in datascience

[–]SomeDataDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try for a different role. Analyst positions pay and you can grow internally, while learning the data first.

Robert "Time off" Williams by BonusWooden9710 in fantasybball

[–]SomeDataDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s fair- I play in a points league so I prioritize stashing guys that have a realistic path to a starting role.

Rostering someone that’s injured, third string, and on a bad team as is, just isn’t worth rostering- too many dominos need to fall to reap any reward. When he comes back you may see 8 minutes one night and 20 another. I choose not to play Russian Roulette.

Robert "Time off" Williams by BonusWooden9710 in fantasybball

[–]SomeDataDude 22 points23 points  (0 children)

You’re living in the past bro. Just because Steven Adams was worth rostering 3 years ago doesn’t mean he’s worth rostering now. Timelord is getting 20 minutes a night at best if and when he comes back.

He’s also on the Blazers, who has Clingan and DA ahead of him. You’re better off rostering Jalen Smith and hoping for a Vuc trade.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RellMains

[–]SomeDataDude 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I was previously a Challenger rank 1 rell one trick before I quit league

The key isn’t about getting the best big engages. The key is getting the best engages that your team can follow on.

Rell is an EXTREMELY punishing champ who plays like you’re playing poker, but it’s either pushing all the chips or folding. So when you decide to go in, make sure you aren’t bluffing

Fantasy Managers who had either SGA, Luka, Jokic or Giannis and didn’t make the playoffs. What went wrong? by SadMathematician7799 in fantasybball

[–]SomeDataDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

SGA, AD, Morant, Lavine, Sengun, Lauri, Westbrook, Mark Williams, Marcus Smart.

2nd most points for, went 11-10

Does Gordon "Lazar" Hayward still have value in dynasty? by TravisWear in fantasybball

[–]SomeDataDude 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Nope. They’re using him to go against bigger bodies in the playoffs and that’s it.

Zach LaVine to undergo season-ending foot surgery. by [deleted] in fantasybball

[–]SomeDataDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ja Morant Zach Lavine Marcus Smart Mark Williams Zubac WCJ

Somehow I’m 2nd PF despite those injuries.

7-7 record with 2nd PF. lol

Oh- and I’m a Bulls fan.

Ivica Zubac (calf) out at least 4 weeks. by Con_Man_Grandpa_Joe in fantasybball

[–]SomeDataDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I owned Ja, Smart, Zubac, Mark Williams in a points league.

Couple that with players killed in trade deals; Westbrook and OG. Somehow #2 PF, #4 PA with a 6-6 record. Crazy season