Kyle Anderson is known as Slo Mo. This isn’t new information. His athletic deficit in comparison to his peers can make him seem sloth like and unappealing. The beauty to what Anderson does is how he embraces his own speed to craft his way around a basketball court.
Anderson has long been an advanced stats darling. He does not post gaudy box score numbers, but advanced metrics love him. Sometimes his impact cannot be seen, or is subtle. What most will tell you is that he is slow and boring, not subtle and pleasing to see. But Anderson is impactful, and it is pretty.
The definition of beautiful has to have a broader scope than Giannis euro-stepping from the three-point line or Steph hitting a blacktop style 40-footer that doesn’t even graze the rim. Anderson is unique and he contributes to winning. His multiple week injury comes at a terrible time, as Memphis is currently slumping hard after a strong start to the season.
Kyle Anderson, Human Changeup
Kyle Anderson is basically a human changeup. A pitcher comes at you during an at bat with all heaters and breakers sitting in the 80’s and 90’s, until they toss a 67mph meatball down the pike that a batter can’t handle. The off speed doesn’t compute quickly enough after seeing so many faster objects up until that point.
Anderson doesn’t like to rush. Instead, he is very methodical, using his unconventional tempo to his advantage.
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That is not a Giannas, Westbrook, or Wade euro-step. It is not lightening quick, thunderously powerful, or exceedingly graceful. It’s just calculated and affective.
Anderson has a knack for creating space with his euro-step, allowing him to hit a floater or layup. It defies logic, as the move is not explosive going from side to side. But, alas, it works.
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Anderson understands how to weaponize his slower pace and change of speed. It is almost as if defenders are so used to moving at a quicker speed in their defensive slide against everyone else, that they end up flying past Anderson.
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He’s Not Slow, It’s Methodical
Why throw a pitch in the 60’s when you can blow a fastball past a batter in the high 90’s? Why throw the softball? There’s a method to the madness.
25 year old Kyle Anderson can’t even blow by the 32 year old Marco Belinelli, but Anderson still gets to his spot and hits a very comfortable floater.
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Furthermore, behold:
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Is there another player in the entire NBA that moves that slowly attacking after a close out? Anderson gains precisely zero separation from a defender that is running a million miles an hour in the opposite direction. Yet nevertheless, Anderson gets to the exact spot he wants to get to, and hits a shot he is comfortable taking.
Kyle Anderson, Dime Dropped
This odd super power of slow motion results in easy opportunities for teammates as well.
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But these assists don’t need to come from a half speed attack. Anderson has wonderful vision and excellent touch to get his teammates on the scoreboard.
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The Data
I hope you didn’t think you could come to an analytics site without getting some data thrown at you. Anderson is grading out as an A- in finishing and play making, the second consecutive season he is posting at least an A- in each category.
Anderson is also providing some of the best wing defense in the league, as he has an A grade in perimeter defense. He also ranks 3rd in DRPM, and 4th in D-PIPM among small forwards. He is 10th in defensive box plus/minus in the entire league.
Nothing will ever pop off the TV screen, but the “subtle” things he does that drive these advanced metrics are beautiful in their own way.
