I wonder what we would look like with j smoove instead of Anderson. But really doe. Hopefully he shows up next round
I'd rather have anyone that can just ball at the 4. If you guys still DEMAND someone to space the floor, just grab whoever is good at it that, but can also flat out ball - like Gallo. Size doesn't matter, because Ryno doesn't rebound and it's not like he's out there shutting down LaMarcus Aldridge or Blake Griffin on a regular basis. Give me someone that play offense AND space the floor, no more specialists. Boris Diaw sucks at this stage in his career, but if we had him over Ryno, Diaw would be giving us more right now. Because he can do more. *No I'm not saying I'd rather have Diaw. And I'm sure Ryno will come up big for us plenty during this run. But long-term, we can do better at the 4.
I agree we might as well have Channing Frye starting out there. For this series we need to stick to the small ball lineup of Clint/Nene (5), Ariza (4), Gordon (3), Lou/Bev (2), Harden/Lou (1). It's worked so far and for the most part that has been the lineup that has brought us back from the 1st half deficits. If we could trade him for a Tobias Harris type player that would be golden, but I doubt the Pistons are that stupid.... or maybe not?
Do I really have to explain this? It's what good defenses do on mismatches and fast breaks to prevent 2 easy points.
Guys, when you build a good team, your role players are weapons, and you load up on as many weapons as you can, especially not know who your opponent is going be. Anderson is a three point specialist, and OKC has specifically game planned to take our three point shooting away, with hard consistent close outs. The natural consequence of that is that the middle is going to be less clogged allowing penetration and post work. It shouldn't be surprising that Nene, a different weapon, is absolutely feasting on the inside. Future opponents, it may be the complete opposite. These witch hunts are silly. The team is doing well, embrace the joy, not the hate.
I do agree with you that most times on this forum, the call outs (or witch hunts) are absolutely ridiculous. I do think though that Anderson is just missing shots, and wouldn't say its because of the way OKC is playing us. Dude has had some solid looks.
Anderson went home, pump faked twice, and with no open look, passed out. Carbon emissions went down by 20%.
And it still won't matter. He's not consistently impactful enough to warrant his contract or spot as a starter. I think he'll be gone in the off season anyways so it's moot.
His value isn't in going 6-8, it's the gravity he draws by simply being there. Look how damaging it is to have someone like Roberson standing there where a defender doesn't have to guard him. That's Anderson's value.
Anderson shot 40% from the 3pt line this year and averaged 7 attempts per game. That's hardly a decoy.
He's been useless in the playoffs. They've been playing him tight and he can't even drive to the basket, even with all that space.
And its completely opened up the middle for Nene who is shooting 92% for the series. I'll take that decoy 10 times out of 10.