SactoGreg said:
Are you kidding me?
Not to pick on you, but I've read this type of comment many times from several posters.
Just how many teams out there do you think consider these three players a real threat? Honestly.
Don't get me wrong, because they are good players. But great?
You make it sound like adding one or two more players would send this team over the top, or that a new coach would be able to suddenly turn these players into "contenders".
Dog hockey!
The Maloofs and GP have dug themselves quite a hole. Let's see if any of them have the where-with-all to climb out of it without any significant injuries...
Bibby's never been selected as an All-Star.
Bibby hasn't been selected as an All-Star, but most sports writers agree that he deserved to this past season. It's a popularity contest firstly, with the fan vote. And then you've got very few spots at each position. Just because he hasn't officially played in an All Star game doesn't mean he isn't an All Star caliber player.
Peja hasn't played like one in two seasons.
Peja was a consensus All Star last year, so I guess you mean one season then right?
And Brad Miller is coming off one of the worst seasons in his career (albeit due to freak injuries).
You explained that one already yourself.
Two former sixth men of the year, a 7-2 shot blocker (who had a horrible season for him this year, he can't help but be better next year - especially if he's already hitting the weights), Mo Evans, Eddie House, Brian Skinner, Darius Songaila. They're not all going to be back next year, but that's a very solid bench. Depth and experience at every position. Guys that can score and guys that can defend.
I do agree with your use of the term 'Dog Hockey' however. Bravo there.
None of those guys are a Tim Duncan/Shaq type guy that is going to control a game, but that is definately three All-Star players and at least an above average bench squad. I don't think a new coach will turn them into contenders, but I do think we're one or two good players away from a contending team. We absolutely will not succeed in this league if we don't have an interior defender of some stature in our starting lineup. That's the one key piece we need. They don't need to be a monster scorer, they just need to stand in the land and knock down those wimpy PGs trying to throw up layups and swat some shots. Knock some people down.