I don't want to put words into your mouth and say you are very worried about the scoring but it seems like you might be? If it's a little better than last year (i think it might be too) then I see that as reason to be optimistic! We scored the third most points per game last year and were almost smack in the middle at #14 in Hollinger's offensive efficiency rating. I find it hard to believe we will be worse than last year too, especially since it seemed like the team checked out which makes me think there is a bit of room for improvement. This team will win on the defensive side if it does win, and we made good moves to achieve that.
I concede that it's seems pretty obvious the best place to upgrade and get another star scorer + creator would be at the PG position. Easier said than done though. If it was that easy to balance a roster and get stars every team would do it. The reality is that it's nearly impossible and requires a bit of luck. The kind of move many are hoping to come is one that you are ecstatic about happening, but also one that shouldn't cause you to lay blame if it doesn't materialize.
I concede that it's seems pretty obvious the best place to upgrade and get another star scorer + creator would be at the PG position. Easier said than done though. If it was that easy to balance a roster and get stars every team would do it. The reality is that it's nearly impossible and requires a bit of luck. The kind of move many are hoping to come is one that you are ecstatic about happening, but also one that shouldn't cause you to lay blame if it doesn't materialize.
Thing is Thibs went out and just dropped 3 and 22 on Cole Aldrich, who FINALLY got paid after years of being better than many of the guys who were being paid. So the 'Thibs needs a backup center and so will give us Rubio for Kosta" theory kind of just went out the door.
I like the aggressive fantasy of Bledsoe, but think that possibility flew the coop on draft night -- when it was announced we had traded with them I hoped it was a package to get him back. Now no reason to take our vets.
The Beverley possibility seems to me to not be impossible given D'Antoni as coach. Maybe. Rudy could be his smallball 4/Marion.
The Tyreke possibility interests me, but not sure it would fit with a push toward ball movement, which is a phrase that should roughly be translated as "make sure all the crapty players get to touch the ball as much as their betters". Not Reke's thing, and part of Gentry's mistake just last year was trying to force that issue.
I think most realistic is probably the McLemore for Westbrook trade, that should leave both sides winners. Or, well, at least one side.
I like the aggressive fantasy of Bledsoe, but think that possibility flew the coop on draft night -- when it was announced we had traded with them I hoped it was a package to get him back. Now no reason to take our vets.
The Beverley possibility seems to me to not be impossible given D'Antoni as coach. Maybe. Rudy could be his smallball 4/Marion.
The Tyreke possibility interests me, but not sure it would fit with a push toward ball movement, which is a phrase that should roughly be translated as "make sure all the crapty players get to touch the ball as much as their betters". Not Reke's thing, and part of Gentry's mistake just last year was trying to force that issue.
I think most realistic is probably the McLemore for Westbrook trade, that should leave both sides winners. Or, well, at least one side.
I'll be delighted with either Bledsoe or Knight. Knight a better shooter on a slightly cheaper and a contract that extends one year longer into 2020, which is now looking like peanuts compared to all these massive deals. As I've said in a previous post, they Booker who WILL be starting at the 2 and Knight who has made it known that he refuses to come off the bench. Someone is getting moved in Phoenix and I hope to sweet baby jesus it's us again that will be their partner. Gay would have to be the centerpiece from our side of the deal.
Rubio is a solid to good defender. Can struggle at times with on ball defense but is a good team defender with quick hands who plays the passing lanes well and has good understanding of that end of the floor.
But the reason I don't think he's a good fit is that the Kings seems to be grabbing guys that are good fits for a team that moves the ball and shoots well from outside.
Rubio is ball dominant and a poor shooter. I could be wrong but it doesn't seem to fit the direction they are taking.
But the reason I don't think he's a good fit is that the Kings seems to be grabbing guys that are good fits for a team that moves the ball and shoots well from outside.
Rubio is ball dominant and a poor shooter. I could be wrong but it doesn't seem to fit the direction they are taking.
I don't mind the Knight idea. Not amused by the statement of ego, but even a guy who was thought to have some defense in him at one point. Obviously another shooter, and with enough size he and Collison can run some 2-PG stuff when we lack Cuz and need to go to full chuck mode to keep scoring. because Knight does like to chuck. Highly erratic too. Monster games or Chuck Hayes would kick my ass at 1 on 1 games, often back to back.
Note however, Afflalo also threw a temper tantrum last year when Rambis benched him (although its possible Rambis benched him just to inspire that reaction because they were trying to make him opt out). And last year all season long collison was talking about how people had forgotten about what a swell starter he was. Maybe him getting arrested might take the starch out of that argument, and since he would be starting the season suspended allow him to continue coming off the bench in natural fashion rather than being upset he wasn't starting.
Note however, Afflalo also threw a temper tantrum last year when Rambis benched him (although its possible Rambis benched him just to inspire that reaction because they were trying to make him opt out). And last year all season long collison was talking about how people had forgotten about what a swell starter he was. Maybe him getting arrested might take the starch out of that argument, and since he would be starting the season suspended allow him to continue coming off the bench in natural fashion rather than being upset he wasn't starting.
so far Vlade has...
Upgraded our head coach in a big way.
Traded Marco for a 1st rounder (still blows my mind).
Drafted the guys Vivek he wanted.
Let Rondo walk.
Didn't drag this team into one of the stupidest first couple days of any free agency.
Afflalo>McLemore
Tolliver and his deal >>>> over Ryno and his deal (my opinion)
Upgraded the perimeter defense with Temple and Barnes.
What am I missing? Oh and none of the moves were leaked by our FO ahead of time!
Hell, I think Vlade has done an exceptional job so far! (Key words there is so far. This man is not done.)
Upgraded our head coach in a big way.
Traded Marco for a 1st rounder (still blows my mind).
Drafted the guys Vivek he wanted.
Let Rondo walk.
Didn't drag this team into one of the stupidest first couple days of any free agency.
Afflalo>McLemore
Tolliver and his deal >>>> over Ryno and his deal (my opinion)
Upgraded the perimeter defense with Temple and Barnes.
What am I missing? Oh and none of the moves were leaked by our FO ahead of time!
Hell, I think Vlade has done an exceptional job so far! (Key words there is so far. This man is not done.)
As of right this minute, the only big loss for us from last season was Rondo and some would even debate that. Acy was a nice solid energy guy off the bench. Bellineli had the worst season of his professional career last year.
So based on what we lost and what we gained we should be a better team as of right this minute. This of course assumes that key pieces like Cousins, Rudy and Collison stay injury free and play most of the games.
C: Cousins / Koufos / Papagiannis
PF: Cauley-Stein / Tolliver / Labissiere
SF: Gay / Casspi / Barnes / Butler
SG: Afflalo / McLemore / Richardson
PG: Collison / Temple / Cousins
That is a nicely balanced team that is maybe a touch thin in the backcourt. If we end up trading Rudy or Kosta, a lot will depend on what we get in return.
EDIT: Forgot about "the second Cousins"
So based on what we lost and what we gained we should be a better team as of right this minute. This of course assumes that key pieces like Cousins, Rudy and Collison stay injury free and play most of the games.
C: Cousins / Koufos / Papagiannis
PF: Cauley-Stein / Tolliver / Labissiere
SF: Gay / Casspi / Barnes / Butler
SG: Afflalo / McLemore / Richardson
PG: Collison / Temple / Cousins
That is a nicely balanced team that is maybe a touch thin in the backcourt. If we end up trading Rudy or Kosta, a lot will depend on what we get in return.
EDIT: Forgot about "the second Cousins"
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