Guys a 1st round pick in the low 20s is about the same as a 2nd round pick in the 30s.......we don't need any more developmental players - and that is what you would get there. Our window is NOW, we need to go for it in the next 2-3 years and then start over.....probably by trading Harden as he begins to decline... DD
Can anyone name a time a player has fit in well in the Morey/Dantoni system after struggling initially? I don't feel like its something people pick up after a certain amount of time.
He is just feeling the pressure to perform during the regular season. Once that is over with, he is going to be really awesome in the playoffs.
I remember PJ struggling early. His was used as a perimeter defender which is not his forte and I remember thinking Luc > Ariza > PJ. Now, he is a valuable cog.
I've seen enough of this guy. He tries hard, but he doesn't fit. He doesn't do what we need from that position. Defensively, he moves his feet a lot but doesn't adjust any better than the guys who don't. He moves his hands a lot but doesn't accomplish any more than the guys who don't. He's clumsy and he fouls people. He's not particularly good at rebounding or boxing out. His judgment with the ball is abnormally poor for a guy at his position with his experience. He's a willing passer but not a good one. His shooting ... Let's not even talk about his shooting. And he's still not switching when he should. I salute his diligence at mano-a-mano defense, but in our system, we're better off with five guys who are willing to switch and who make good, fast rotation decisions. Look at House. He doesn't work half as hard as Shumpert on defense, but he keeps his balance and agility and focus, and his rotation decisions are excellent. He's not even worse at making a play for himself. And the ball actually goes in the basket. I don't expect Rivers to shoot this well every night. But at this point I'd put him in the rotation and make Shumpert earn his way back in.
It has taken longer than I'd expected, but I think he's starting to come around. He's rebounding more and is improving his switch D. I just hope his shot comes back during the playoffs. We need him hitting those at 40%. If he's not hitting those shots, more PT for Rivers, House, Green.
What makes you say put Rivers "back in" the rotation. He was never out of it, they just sat him in 2 games. Based on the minutes he was getting, I think it's pretty clear Green is the one Shumpert replaced. I guess I'm seeing something else, because Shumpert has clearly improved from what I've seen. If we were to go with an 8 man rotation he would be on the outside, but in a 9 man he's a noticeable defensive upgrade over Green. After some inexcusably stupid shots when he first got here, he's been much better recently. The 3 ball is the only thing he isn't doing, and even a few of those are starting to fall in the last few games. I think people were predisposed to not liking Shumpert becuase he's the personification of "luxury tax savings" but i think he's starting to help the team.
I'm all for keeping him at the back of the rotation. Would like to see how much Green and Faried are going to contribute here on out.
Shouldn't be in the rotation. But if someone is injured (like Green now) hopefully he can step in and contribute.
has been contributing when hes been playing. people already have a predisposition of just hating everything he does. well that's just unfortunate for them. hell definitely be in the playoff rotation.
Nah harden is a rocket fo life I agree he will eventually decline tho What needs to happen when that starts is he can fake an injury and get some well deserved time off .... and then we get a high pick.
I, for one, can’t believe that trading multiple assets for a proven mediocre basketball player didn’t work out. Truly shocking stuff, guys.
One thing I like about Shumpert, outside of his defense, is he's a solid ball handler & decent playmaker passer
I feel like Shumpert will either be an X factor for us in the playoffs or a complete dud. No in between. Here's to hoping his championship experience comes through in the playoffs.
Even if you don't acknowledge our largest expiring contract and our only 1st round pick as assets, which they are, wasting them on a proven bad basketball player remains dumb.
