Much like at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, Hack-a-Shaq will have end of the year reviews.Same rules apply as grades are handed out according to pre-season expectations vs. actual production.
Shooting Guard: Jodie Meeks
7.9 PPG, 0.9 APG, 2.2 RPG, 3.0 WS, .085 WS/48 on 38.7% shooting and 35.7% shooting from three point range. Grade: D+
2012-2013 in brief: Meeks was a decent enough role player for Philadelphia, until he was benched in time for the playoffs. Coming over to Los Angeles, he was expected to stretch the floor for Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. He did that well enough, but only that, as he only shot 38.7%, and (much like the rest of the Lakers) ended the year on the disabled list.
2014 status: One year left on his contract, earning only 1.5 million.
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There isn't much to write about one dimensional players, and rest assured, Jodie is only a three point shooter. Meeks was at times brilliant, and at other times frustrating; thus is the nature of the three point shooter.
Meeks, for the most part, did his job this past season, making a good enough percentage from the beyond the arc to help stretch out double teams in the post. 35.7% from deep is not a bad percentage at all. The problem with Meeks was everything else; he was a below average ball handler, frequently dribbling himself into trouble. He was a bad passer, averaging 0.9 assists to 0.7 turnovers per game. His Player Efficiency Rating was the lowest of his career since his rookie season at 11.4 (league average is 15).
He had an awful shooting percentage just about anywhere else that wasn't from deep, as he made only 44% of his two point shot attempts (38.7% total). While he did provide some speed on the break, he would frequently make bad decisions like trying to outrun everybody on his way to a heavily contested layup. And while he at least tried to play defense, he was pretty bad in that aspect too, having no defensive fundamentals to speak of and frequently getting blown by on the way to a dunk or layup. It's no wonder his WS/48 dropped from last season (he was an above average .120 last season).
At least Meeks was still a top free throw shooter, shooting 89.6% from the charity stripe, making him one of the more reliable bench players to have in the game in the final 5 minutes, certainly more reliable down the stretch than players like Metta World Peace.
Overall, Meeks was your classic three point shooter. He has a nice stroke from beyond the arc, but frequently makes bad decisions with the ball, limiting him to just three point shooting. His Basketball I.Q. definitely needs some work before he can try to develop into a better player. So while Meeks has value offensively, it's offset by his bad defense and decision making. He is one of the few players in which I am indifferent upon his return next season.
I can't really criticize Meeks too much, since he basically did what the Lakers paid him (very little, I might add) to do. He doesn't get a C because I at least expect an average role player; his PER and WS/48 indicate a below average player.
Of course, you know Meeks is a Laker when he ends the year injured. He hurt his ankle in the first round of the playoffs against the Finals bound San Antonio Spurs, leaving the Lakers with Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock as starting guards. Yeah.
See you next year, Jodie.
