Post by daglazer on Mar 7, 2022 9:46:13 GMT -5
We beat the Clippers!!!
After watching the misery of our season, I have a few thoughts.
First, this season has not been a waste. RJ did indeed take a leap up. He is now a capable alpha scorer in the NBA. We now no longer have to rely on Randle to score which is big!
Grimes showed that he is at a minimum a solid 3 and D guard with hopes for more. I was happy when we drafted him and he has exceeded expectations. Get healthy!!
I like the trade for Cam Reddish. With the injury to Grimes, Cam is getting some solid run and he is starting to find his role. He and RJ already play well together and Cam might actually be our most naturally talented wing. If Cam can stay healthy and play within himself, he and RJ will be a DYNAMIC wing combo for the next 5 years.
IQ is starting to learn how to be a PG. Let's face it. In the first half IQ stunk. He was overthinking, not looking for his shot, and having trouble running the offense without Rose to help. However, since the all-star break, IQ has started to settle down. His shot has returned and he has been much more aggressive going to the basket. Development is not linear and IQ took a couple of steps back before moving forward. I am really looking forward to seeing IQ play next year.
The offense is much better when we look to involve Mitch early in games. Throughout the history of basketball, big men play better when they get a few touches early in the game. Mitch is no different. Run a couple of plays for him to get a shot early and he rebounds and defends so much better for the rest of the game. I REALLY hope that we keep Mitch because he is just scratching the surface of his talent. He really needs to learn how to put some arc on his free throws though.
Obi can play, but is likely best used as energy off the bench unless we transition to an uptempo offense where Obi can get out on the break.
Deuce can play NBA level D. If he learns how to play an NBA level PG, then he has a Chris Childs/Patrick Beverly type future.
Second, we learned the limitations of some players.
Burks plays like shit when asked to play point guard. He is not built to defend points and his entire game suffers when he is asked to do it.
Fournier should be a microwave 6th man who scores in bunches and only has to defend other bench players. He has the offense of a starter, but the defense of a bench player. He is overpaid, but he is also a useful player.
Randle plays best when he looks to set up his teammates. It opens the floor for himself and everyone plays better that way. He also plays better on offense when he is engaged on defense. The hustle on defense correlates to his effort on offense. He is still dribbling into double teams too much for my taste, but as a 2nd option to RJ, the team is better off because Randle does have the talent to go off for 30 on any given night.
In my ideal starting lineup for the rest of the season, I would start IQ, RJ, Reddish, Randle, and Mitch. This lineup provides better shooting, ball handling, and spacing.
This leaves Burks and Fournier coming off the bench with Deuce and Sims. Obi and Grimes are also coming off the bench when healthy.
I don't know if we would win any more games, but it would accelerate the learning curve for our young players and make watching the games more fun.
After watching the misery of our season, I have a few thoughts.
First, this season has not been a waste. RJ did indeed take a leap up. He is now a capable alpha scorer in the NBA. We now no longer have to rely on Randle to score which is big!
Grimes showed that he is at a minimum a solid 3 and D guard with hopes for more. I was happy when we drafted him and he has exceeded expectations. Get healthy!!
I like the trade for Cam Reddish. With the injury to Grimes, Cam is getting some solid run and he is starting to find his role. He and RJ already play well together and Cam might actually be our most naturally talented wing. If Cam can stay healthy and play within himself, he and RJ will be a DYNAMIC wing combo for the next 5 years.
IQ is starting to learn how to be a PG. Let's face it. In the first half IQ stunk. He was overthinking, not looking for his shot, and having trouble running the offense without Rose to help. However, since the all-star break, IQ has started to settle down. His shot has returned and he has been much more aggressive going to the basket. Development is not linear and IQ took a couple of steps back before moving forward. I am really looking forward to seeing IQ play next year.
The offense is much better when we look to involve Mitch early in games. Throughout the history of basketball, big men play better when they get a few touches early in the game. Mitch is no different. Run a couple of plays for him to get a shot early and he rebounds and defends so much better for the rest of the game. I REALLY hope that we keep Mitch because he is just scratching the surface of his talent. He really needs to learn how to put some arc on his free throws though.
Obi can play, but is likely best used as energy off the bench unless we transition to an uptempo offense where Obi can get out on the break.
Deuce can play NBA level D. If he learns how to play an NBA level PG, then he has a Chris Childs/Patrick Beverly type future.
Second, we learned the limitations of some players.
Burks plays like shit when asked to play point guard. He is not built to defend points and his entire game suffers when he is asked to do it.
Fournier should be a microwave 6th man who scores in bunches and only has to defend other bench players. He has the offense of a starter, but the defense of a bench player. He is overpaid, but he is also a useful player.
Randle plays best when he looks to set up his teammates. It opens the floor for himself and everyone plays better that way. He also plays better on offense when he is engaged on defense. The hustle on defense correlates to his effort on offense. He is still dribbling into double teams too much for my taste, but as a 2nd option to RJ, the team is better off because Randle does have the talent to go off for 30 on any given night.
In my ideal starting lineup for the rest of the season, I would start IQ, RJ, Reddish, Randle, and Mitch. This lineup provides better shooting, ball handling, and spacing.
This leaves Burks and Fournier coming off the bench with Deuce and Sims. Obi and Grimes are also coming off the bench when healthy.
I don't know if we would win any more games, but it would accelerate the learning curve for our young players and make watching the games more fun.