I agree... Though would note that such agreement envisions an Ariza that is better than last year. Maybe not peak Ariza but better than last year. Gay is attractive in combo with Ariza. Go small with either at the 4. Sub defense/offense where appropriate, etc. Not sure how the rumored deal gets done without Trevor though.
I think how poorly he's played on his best teams is a very good indicator of how well he'd play for us.
No offense, because it's not just you, but people really need to stop making the comparisons to Shawn Marion. We're talking about two players who have almost nothing in common. Marion was the Draymond Green on that SSOL Suns team. A guy that played fantastic two-way basketball, did all of the dirty work, scored without having plays called for him and basically served as a super glue guy. Gay is a player that likes to play one-on-one and needs touches. Rarely scores on cuts and collects garbage points like Marion did. One player is your protoypical ball-stopper; one was the polar opposite. Offensively, they're literally nothing alike. That said, I do think its entirely possible for a player like Gay to be so widely dismissed as overrated that he might actually become underrated because of it. Happened to Zach Randolph and others before the light finally turned on and they were able to start contributing to winning causes. Do I think Gay would hypothetically produce in a MDA offense? Absolutely. Would those numbers actually help us win basketball games, though? That's the reason we're even having this discussion about Gay in the first place.
In all due respect, Shawn Marion is NOT the player Gay is offensively. Overrall, Marion was a better player. But if Marion can get points in a D'Antoni ran system then Rudy Gay can be special. All the things you mentioned being the difference, cutting, hustle points, etc..are things ANY player can learn to do in a limited amount of time. We're talking about Rudy Gay being a 3rd scoring option, playing 25-33 minutes a game, possibly coming off the bench. I'd take a player as skilled as he is as a 3rd option any day. More pressure off Harden
Is that the same indicator you used for Josh Smith the 1st year he came here? The same Josh Smith who saved our season against the Clippers & had a overall great playoffs?
Gay is not as bad a defender as people make out. Ariza is a better defender but Gay is probably a neutral commodity. I'm more worried about his huge decline on the other end of the floor.
Still wondering if maybe just-signed 30-day-wait rookie contracts are the holdup for any deals being discussed. Of course, it could be anything. But I doubt we're going to war with our crew as constituted. At least, I hope it isn't the case. Doesn't really matter in the end. Durant - Curry - Klay - Punk in the West, Cleveland in the East. Rinse. Cycle. Repeat.
Unless one of them get injured - if Durant or Curry go down, things will definitely get interesting. The Warriors aren't as deep as before and I honestly do think that teams with big front lines will cause problems. Draymond can only do so much and they were already killed last year with OKC and Adams, Ibaka, Kanter. Unfortunately, I think the entire league is moving away from strong rebounding bigs so this will play right into GSW's hands. Interestingly, with Gasol and LMA, the Spurs might be a really tough challenge for them. You can't beat GSW at their own game. You have to outrebound them and POUND the heck out of them on the inside. I don't think Cleveland as it stands will be able to push them next year. As a side note, I've been watching Embiid highlights and if this guy gets it going next year along with Jahlil and Nerlens Noel thats a really good front line that will cause GSW fits. Too bad they aren't going to make that leap next year unless they get an awesome coach. Philly on paper is a really really good team if Ben Simmons is the real deal.
uhhh...Josh's best years were with the Hawks who were a good team through his peak. Not sure that's the poster child you're looking for but keep looking if you'd like. I'll check your work for you.
