Karl Malone also wasn't a paperweight. He was a dominant inside player who also killed defenses with a mid-range jumper out of PnRs and off the catch. His mentality was to impose his will every single game. Jabari ain't that guy.
This. Bari showed in his first-ever playoff games that he was not intimidated. He also showed some good defense, and most of all, he showed that he was the best midrange shot among all the Rockets players. Ironically, he reminded me of KD shooting those middies with so much accuracy and consistency. Of course, he is still far from playing like KD but he has developed an automatic, consistent, and almost unstoppable midrange shot. Now, if only Ime and his teammates would recognize this and give him significant opportunities to do this kind of damage to opponents next season, then the team could be better for it. I seriously hope that the FO will not include Bari in any trade. The best is yet to come from him if Ime gives him the opportunity, of course.
I would also add that in general, it takes several archetypes to have a championship-level team, and I don't agree with the framing from some that certain players are more valuable simply because of a theoretical archetype. This isn't the late 1990s anymore, where effing Sam Perkins is the only stretch big. There are versatile, 3&D frontcourt prospects entering the league every year. (By the way, Jabari's career NBA 3-point clip is 35.4% — my guess is it likely improves with time, but let's not act like he's shooting the lights out.) From an asset perspective, Jabari/Jalen is a reasonable debate, but I don't agree with the logic that one is inherently more valuable simply because of his role/skillset/archetype. The comparison should be what percentile each is in/likely to be in in the future, relative to realistic alternatives for each role.
Jabari was one of the few young players in the playoffs that wasn't afraid of any shot and hit multiple huge shots time after time after time in that series. It's not his fault that rarely anything is called for him and coach had him barely playing. Maybe if we actually ran PnRs with Jabari he'd look more like that guy and he'd get better at setting picks because he'd be doing it time and time again throughout a game.
That's still the brain trust that won them championships. I don't get this need to send out several prospects and a top 10 pick for a 37 year old player. I really don't. I want KD at a reasonable price. Not ruin our future for a rental. People act like this isn't a risk, he could come here, play 40 games, miss the playoffs, then what?
not sure what the first half of your statement has to do with the second half. Regarding the first half - the spurs brain trust is Pop. And his image has been fading rapidly as out of touch. The NBA gifted them Wemby providing a thread of relevance. Castle is a quality starter. That’s it. personally, I want the spurs to land KD. It will guarantee to destroy their Wemby run. For however long his frail body lasts. God. Just imagine KD and Wemby taking turns on the injured list. Where have we seen that before (oh yeah, the nets) I would only welcome KD on the rockets if Dillon Brooks and a couple picks are the feature. But it sure is fun having something to talk about in the summer.
It’s all about the picks, but Miami has a pretty uncomplicated salary matching ability. Andrew Wiggins + Duncan Robinson or Terry Rozier Andrew Wiggins slides into Durant’s spot easily and is a pretty good player. And none of them go beyond this coming season. They have a lot of future picks they can throw in, but none of them are the Suns’ picks, so they are going to have to offer much more in that department than we would. I hope Stone stands his ground and keeps the picks.
also Duncan Robinson’s contract is partially guaranteed, so they can waive him and save $10 mil which apparently gets them below the 2nd apron.
My only point is the Spurs are not some poverty dumb franchise like the Wizards or something because some people in the fandom are fine with trading Jalen + Jabari/Reed/Cam and even the #10 pick for KD or any combination. I'm the same way, Brooks (salary matching) and #10, that's the highest I'd go. Anything more is asking too much for a guy who is on the decline clearly. Also, this is not towards you because I have a feeling you agree, but we must remember when players age that drop off is often very sudden. One year they are still very good players and the next they are completely over the hill. So KD has to be a low risk move for us.
no its because the spurs dont know who they are yet. Even with a healthy Wemby they werent even a playoff contender last year. They arent a KD piece away. We are further along in our timeline to win then them. We have to make decisions. Our weakness is clear.
Keep in mind they are also in the thick of dealing and wheeling so much more active in the trades......
They could add 2-3 more days off in the regular season for all teams by shortening these Finals. That would be huge.
Considering that Amen isn't an elite passer or that good off the dribble, that defenders don't have to come up to the level & can go under to defend him since he can't shoot And that Jabari isn't athletic enough to finish above the rim, can't really dribble And is just an ok shooter How in the world are you forecasting "should have been one of the best in the league" out of these 2? That's just pure fantasy. There's nothing to suggest they'd be the best on the Rockets, let alone the league
