Beat LA!!!
- Thread starter NewArena
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In the first place Anderson doesn't have to be much to better than the Ben whom we have seen play for two years. It seems Anderson is a steady, unspectacular player who is credited with good basic defense and an ocassional contributor on offense and does not disappoint. In saying that I see him contributing more to team success than I see Ben doing. Betting n the come with Ben has gotten old.
If that were true he wouldn't have been in Europe last year and would have stuck with an NBA team longer than he has.
This is essentially picking the lesser of two evils. Ben's been poor but having to turn to Anderson would be a glaring mistake from this off season. We did a lot of good but the SG situation looks to be our Achilles heal and still a gaping hole.
I would however prefer to just plug Anderson into the the starting 5 and go with it rather than switching between him and DC which is a recipe for failure.
BTW, anyone know who Ben works with in the off season? Has he taken Christie up on the offer to work with our players? Is he going down to Orl or LA and working with some of the specialists we see? Or has he just done his own thing and as a result not added anything? It's a red flag to not add to your game between 20-22. Much easier then than to do it in your mid 20s. I've seen him workout with Ray but that's not gonna get you anywhere, with all due respect to Ray.
This is essentially picking the lesser of two evils. Ben's been poor but having to turn to Anderson would be a glaring mistake from this off season. We did a lot of good but the SG situation looks to be our Achilles heal and still a gaping hole.
I would however prefer to just plug Anderson into the the starting 5 and go with it rather than switching between him and DC which is a recipe for failure.
BTW, anyone know who Ben works with in the off season? Has he taken Christie up on the offer to work with our players? Is he going down to Orl or LA and working with some of the specialists we see? Or has he just done his own thing and as a result not added anything? It's a red flag to not add to your game between 20-22. Much easier then than to do it in your mid 20s. I've seen him workout with Ray but that's not gonna get you anywhere, with all due respect to Ray.
Their last regular season stats:
Ben (age 21)- 12ppg, 3rpg, 2apg, 1spg 44% fg, 36% 3's
James (age 24)- 10ppg, 4rpg, 2apg, 1spg 43% fg, 33% 3's
So in regular NBA minutes, Ben was as or more productive than James. If you just want to make it about a few preseason games, Anderson is putting up 5ppg, 1rpg, 2apg with no defensive stats and is shooting 39% from the floor and 44% from 3. It should also be noted that his percentages are all driven by last night as prior to that game he was shooting 20% from the floor and less than 10% from 3. Ben, who we agree has looked bad this preseason, is putting up slightly more points and steals on worse shooting %.
Even if you ignore the fact that Ben has been more productive at a younger age than Anderson and decide to focus on 5 preseason games instead, Anderson has basically played slightly better d while having one hot shooting game and beside that done nothing on O. I get he looks more comfortable on the floor. He should as he's played professionally for longer. I still take the young guy that produces about the same or better now and has significantly more upside.
Now, when Ben isn't on, I'm glad we have other options to use. But we have so few pieces that could develop into a part of a actual contender rather than a maybe playoff team and Anderson isn't one of them. Ben is.
Ben (age 21)- 12ppg, 3rpg, 2apg, 1spg 44% fg, 36% 3's
James (age 24)- 10ppg, 4rpg, 2apg, 1spg 43% fg, 33% 3's
So in regular NBA minutes, Ben was as or more productive than James. If you just want to make it about a few preseason games, Anderson is putting up 5ppg, 1rpg, 2apg with no defensive stats and is shooting 39% from the floor and 44% from 3. It should also be noted that his percentages are all driven by last night as prior to that game he was shooting 20% from the floor and less than 10% from 3. Ben, who we agree has looked bad this preseason, is putting up slightly more points and steals on worse shooting %.
Even if you ignore the fact that Ben has been more productive at a younger age than Anderson and decide to focus on 5 preseason games instead, Anderson has basically played slightly better d while having one hot shooting game and beside that done nothing on O. I get he looks more comfortable on the floor. He should as he's played professionally for longer. I still take the young guy that produces about the same or better now and has significantly more upside.
Now, when Ben isn't on, I'm glad we have other options to use. But we have so few pieces that could develop into a part of a actual contender rather than a maybe playoff team and Anderson isn't one of them. Ben is.
Ok. Anderson has to play basic defense. Occasionally score, stay out of the way of the stars essentially and continue to be unspectacular in order to be worthy of taking Ben's minutes based on what I'm reading. Also Anderson doesn't disappoint, which is subjective and totally based on your expectations.
Ben on a bad day, at the very minimum gives basic defense, occassional scoring and if needed can be unspectacular. Stays out of the way of the real stars of the team. On a good day he can be spectacular.
Ben on a bad day, at the very minimum gives basic defense, occassional scoring and if needed can be unspectacular. Stays out of the way of the real stars of the team. On a good day he can be spectacular.
Ah. All of this from a couple of pre season games. Wonder if Spurs and Rockets are kicking themsleves. Bet Sixers wished they had kept him instead of trading for Stauskus.
Nobody has to like Ben, but let's not pretend Anderson is a good player. He's just not Ben. That's all it coined down to for some people. Anyone but Ben.
Nobody has to like Ben, but let's not pretend Anderson is a good player. He's just not Ben. That's all it coined down to for some people. Anyone but Ben.
Wrong. Even though Ben was better than Anderson in their only real nba games, these 5 preseason games have proven that he has not only peaked but regressed to the point where he really shouldn't play this year.
Anderson's poise, strength, mental fortitude, experience, savvy and general unspectacularness has been so steady that he deserves ben's minutes.
Silly rabbit.
Anderson's poise, strength, mental fortitude, experience, savvy and general unspectacularness has been so steady that he deserves ben's minutes.
Silly rabbit.
A team letting a player go, is not the best of reasons to overlook them. Players change. People improve at their craft. An example,..I'm sure the Raptors were kicking themselves after they saw what Doug Christie did with the Kings. Some players do improve, others don't.
It's now that matters, not seasons past. What can a player do for us now
It's now that matters, not seasons past. What can a player do for us now
Bellinelli and Collison will get the bulk/ most meaningful of the SG minutes. Only reason Anderson vs Ben is being discussed is because Karl likes Bellinelli off the bench. Thus we are arguing who will get the 6-7 minute stint to start the game and 3rd quarters. I dont see Ben or Anderson playing in crunch time(unless for defensive purposes in the case of Anderson).
I can imagine us closing most games with Rondo, Collison, Bellinelli, Gay, Cousins.
If we need more defense
Collison/Rondo
Bellinelli/Collison
Gay
WCS/Cousins
Cousins/Koufos
I can imagine us closing most games with Rondo, Collison, Bellinelli, Gay, Cousins.
If we need more defense
Collison/Rondo
Bellinelli/Collison
Gay
WCS/Cousins
Cousins/Koufos
I'm still waiting to hear how James Anderson is any better than Ben.
Cause Anderson has been to Europe? He's 26 with his only significant minutes played for a 19 win Philly team. Two seasons ago.
The numbers say they're even if not Ben being a tad better.
A seasoned veteran? What?
Ben has MORE NBA minutes than Anderson! 4857 to 3599. Ben has over 1000 more NBA minutes. If Anderson is seasoned, it didn't happen in the NBA.
Anderson is supremely mediocre and is probably a tad lucky to even be in the league and is unlikely to even be in the rotation (barring injuries) to be honest. Cause he's not Ben really seems to be the only reason, cause there's certainly nothing on the court to say he should.
The Spurs saw nothing in Anderson. One of their rare misses actually. If he was all that, he'd be starting for the Spurs not struggling to make the rotation of a team that hasn't won 30 games in a decade.
If one wants to argue bellinelli should start, that's a much more reasonable discussion. He IS a seasoned vet and is better than Ben.
Cause Anderson has been to Europe? He's 26 with his only significant minutes played for a 19 win Philly team. Two seasons ago.
The numbers say they're even if not Ben being a tad better.
A seasoned veteran? What?
Ben has MORE NBA minutes than Anderson! 4857 to 3599. Ben has over 1000 more NBA minutes. If Anderson is seasoned, it didn't happen in the NBA.
Anderson is supremely mediocre and is probably a tad lucky to even be in the league and is unlikely to even be in the rotation (barring injuries) to be honest. Cause he's not Ben really seems to be the only reason, cause there's certainly nothing on the court to say he should.
The Spurs saw nothing in Anderson. One of their rare misses actually. If he was all that, he'd be starting for the Spurs not struggling to make the rotation of a team that hasn't won 30 games in a decade.
If one wants to argue bellinelli should start, that's a much more reasonable discussion. He IS a seasoned vet and is better than Ben.
From what I have seen Anderson is very solid defensively, fundamentally sound in that area. Good off ball in chasing guys, and understands rotations. Also is physically stronger than Ben.
Offensively he is MUCH better off the dribble, which is key in Karls dribble drive style. Has a solid handle and has solid IQ as far as decision making goes, solid athleticism(did you see him almost dunk on Hibbert?) Spot shooting is the only question mark between the two. Anderson has shot the spot up 3 better than Ben in pre season, but Ben shot better last season than Anderson has ever through his career. I give the edge to Ben in that category. Also the difference between good Euro league players and fringe NBA guy is non existant, pretty much fluid talenwise.
Offensively he is MUCH better off the dribble, which is key in Karls dribble drive style. Has a solid handle and has solid IQ as far as decision making goes, solid athleticism(did you see him almost dunk on Hibbert?) Spot shooting is the only question mark between the two. Anderson has shot the spot up 3 better than Ben in pre season, but Ben shot better last season than Anderson has ever through his career. I give the edge to Ben in that category. Also the difference between good Euro league players and fringe NBA guy is non existant, pretty much fluid talenwise.
James Anderson knows how to play. My only complaint with him might be he didn't know exactly how to play with Cousins in their minutes together. but he knows how to generally play, on both ends. He's a supremely mediocre talent, but he looks dependably so, and maybe more importantly, looks strong and solid as a defender. No ace. No stopper. But he was right in there, competing, getting right in Kobe's chest, physically strong enough not to get bumped away. This is a low level roleplayer, but he looks to be a solid one. Those guys sometimes break through into a lineup ala Quincy Pondexter. If he starts I feel like we are relatively punchless and much more suited for a halfcourt slam the ball through Cuz and Rudy attack that Karl is philosophically unable to embrace. But unless we move Belinelli up from his comfy bench spot Anderson so far has looked like the guy you could at least count on as a steady every night contributor of certain things.
It's funny that you bring up Barnes. Barnes actually didn't have a very good sophomore season. Here's the comparison between Barnes' 2nd year and McLemore's 2nd year (per36):
Barnes: .399 FG% / .347 3PT% / .718 FT% / 12.1 PPG / 5.1 RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.1 SPG / 0.3 BPG / 1.4 TOPG
McLemore: .437 FG% / .358 3PT% / .813 FT% / 13.4 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.0 SPG / 0.3 BPG / 1.9 TOPG
Of course, Barnes played better last year (his 3rd year) and now seems to be a very serviceable role player for the Warriors (his per36 last year is below):
Barnes: .482 FG% / .405 3PT% / .720 FT% / 12.8 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 1.8 APG / 0.9 SPG / 0.3 BPG / 1.1 TOPG
Let's at least see what McLemore can give us in the regular season before we start writing him off.
Barnes: .399 FG% / .347 3PT% / .718 FT% / 12.1 PPG / 5.1 RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.1 SPG / 0.3 BPG / 1.4 TOPG
McLemore: .437 FG% / .358 3PT% / .813 FT% / 13.4 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 1.9 APG / 1.0 SPG / 0.3 BPG / 1.9 TOPG
Of course, Barnes played better last year (his 3rd year) and now seems to be a very serviceable role player for the Warriors (his per36 last year is below):
Barnes: .482 FG% / .405 3PT% / .720 FT% / 12.8 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 1.8 APG / 0.9 SPG / 0.3 BPG / 1.1 TOPG
Let's at least see what McLemore can give us in the regular season before we start writing him off.
That largely depends upon the degree to which we need him.
I have been flat unhappy with Ben starting at the two the last couple of seasons because he has flat lost games for us. He has held us back, and for precious little payoff. We're beyond that now. That can't be anymore. And so with Ben it becomes a question of how important is the play of that starting SG to our fortunes. Now unfortunately I think it may be considerable. With Rondo and WCS there, Cuz and Rudy will be all alone as scorers if the starting SG can't at least hold his own offensively. If we are forced to go with one that cannot, it could cost us games. And as I said, that is no longer acceptable. Not Ben, nor almost anyone, is worth costing us games over now. We are trying to make the playoffs, and its going to be tight even with all hands contributing.
So, if that's right, then Ben either needs to contribute nightly, or he needs to be replaced by someone who will.
If its wrong and the starting SG is only going to be minimally important with all the stars and specialists about, then maybe you can carry him again regardless of contributions.
Now however there is another concept to consider: and that's kind of a "good guy core" if you will to help balance our more exotic personalities. Caron is trying to play with a giant piece of silverware sticking out of his back, but that's not really the point. he is there for the lockerroom, not the court. Acy has been clearly beat out by Moreland, but Quincy is a pal of Cuz, has fan fun with dunks, and has a great beard. And Ben, even if incompetent, is a nice kid that everybody likes and who is always being credited with "working hard". That's not worth squat if he's actually costing you games. But if he's not, having hi around to fetch bagels instead of some malcontent can be valuable to fostering a team spirit. In practice, on airplanes, wherever. Team should be family. if you can't be good, at least don't be a jerk. Ben's got that part down.
I have been flat unhappy with Ben starting at the two the last couple of seasons because he has flat lost games for us. He has held us back, and for precious little payoff. We're beyond that now. That can't be anymore. And so with Ben it becomes a question of how important is the play of that starting SG to our fortunes. Now unfortunately I think it may be considerable. With Rondo and WCS there, Cuz and Rudy will be all alone as scorers if the starting SG can't at least hold his own offensively. If we are forced to go with one that cannot, it could cost us games. And as I said, that is no longer acceptable. Not Ben, nor almost anyone, is worth costing us games over now. We are trying to make the playoffs, and its going to be tight even with all hands contributing.
So, if that's right, then Ben either needs to contribute nightly, or he needs to be replaced by someone who will.
If its wrong and the starting SG is only going to be minimally important with all the stars and specialists about, then maybe you can carry him again regardless of contributions.
Now however there is another concept to consider: and that's kind of a "good guy core" if you will to help balance our more exotic personalities. Caron is trying to play with a giant piece of silverware sticking out of his back, but that's not really the point. he is there for the lockerroom, not the court. Acy has been clearly beat out by Moreland, but Quincy is a pal of Cuz, has fan fun with dunks, and has a great beard. And Ben, even if incompetent, is a nice kid that everybody likes and who is always being credited with "working hard". That's not worth squat if he's actually costing you games. But if he's not, having hi around to fetch bagels instead of some malcontent can be valuable to fostering a team spirit. In practice, on airplanes, wherever. Team should be family. if you can't be good, at least don't be a jerk. Ben's got that part down.
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