Anyone seriously claiming we should bench Parsons hasn't been watching the games these season. Guy is becoming a legitimate 3rd option. UNTOUCHABLE.
I just don't recall that many possessions where Parsons took the ball down the court and jacked up a shot before the offense had a chance to develop unless it was a fast break. Nor was he the recepient of the first pass in a play and immediately jacked up a bad shot. I'm sure he has had 1 or 2 bad shots that I am forgetting over the two games, but the vast majority have been the exact same types of shots he has taken all year, he just hasn't hit as many of them. Which can be said for most of the team since Beverly has been the only one who has shot really well. Parson's turn overs are also down to 1 per game from 1.9 and he only averages 3.5 assists in the regular season. It makes sense that he handled the ball less in a starting lineup that included Beverly, Lin and Harden and had less opportunities for assists and turn overs. I suspect there have been some would be assists to open players who have missed shots as well. Parson's needs to play better and so does most of the team. I just don't think there is anything to suggest his struggles are due to playing selfishly. A lot of his misses have been wide open shots that he should be taking and in the past has made.
Selfish was a strong word to use, it always is in basketball, but i was alluding to Ibaka's quote. In that context, i think selfishness isn't about wanting to pad stats, but really wanting to win, so much so that Parsons tries to make something happen when it's not there and misses a more obvious/better option. For example, with 3 mins left and up by 2, parsons gets a long pass from Harden on the break. Seemed like a good idea, but Parsons doesn't have time to gather himself. Instead of holding off for a better shot and using up clock, he flips a quick lay up, which is blocked by Durant. I just believe he can do others things like passing and drawing fouls. If we're trying to keep OKC on their toes to increase our chances of winning, then those are two areas he can concentrate on to do that. Don't let OKC sit back, knowing you're not looking for contact and will settle for a long three, despite being off lately. Perhaps that has a lot to do with out offense, but if we're changing starting line ups, then this change isn't that crazy.
Not bashing him. I'm actually one of the few people here who believed he could make the team after we drafted him. I just expect better from him and think he can do different things. Plus, we only bash on Lin (kidding of course)
Parsons has been horrid from 3, but I suspect this cold streak won't continue for too long. The three ball is the most variable shot in the game in terms of percentages so it stands to reason that we'll see more of the good Parsons game 3 and beyond.
I tend to agree. You pretty much have to take open 3's if you are a perimeter player or they will just pack the paint and you aren't going to have any realistic chance of driving anyway. Parson's may have tried to do too much scoring wise, but when Lin is struggling, Harden is below average for him, and our post game isn't giving much offensively, and there is no hot hand to feed really, some one has to shoot and try to score to pick up the slack, and you want Parsons to have the confidence to take those shots when he is open.
Maybe not hating but you're criticisizing the guy for not playing better when he's learning on the fly basically. He was actually getting into a groove in his first game before picking up his 3rd foul with 10 minutes left in the 2nd quarter and getting benched. When he came back in the 3rd quarter the game was already lost and it was difficult for him to find his rhythm. Last night he actually played pretty well despite not being able to knock down some crucial shots and making a couple questionable decisions. Again I attribute that to being young and only playing in his 2nd playoff game. I think he'll have a much better showing at home. If he continues to play bad the rest of the series I'd be concerned but I wouldn't panic just yet.
mchale should have put james anderson in and sat parsons on the bench to teach him a lesson. I feel KD is locking this man down also. Durant is just a far superior player.
Our second leading scorer. Our go too defensive stopper most times. One guy who knows to put the ball down and go to the rim. he runs tight cuts and routes and is almost always where he belongs. Runs a clean and usually successful fast break. Ok so some more assists would be nice but he seems to get teh ball when all other options have dried up. No time to pass it and make a snap decision. He is a very intelligent BB player with way above average IQ on the whole game. I have never seen him dog it. Didn't even like him when we drafted him. The kind of player every team needs, and probably every team would take. A keeper imo.
Dude is balling, sure his shots ain't going down as much, but he got fouled a couple of times by douche perkins.... Not playing scared neither, going up against KD
Two words: Ibaka, Durant...that's why no attack rim. Remember that cross court pass Chandler caught in Game 2 and then Durant swatted his layup attempt? Well, CP's got that in the back of his mind now and will not go near the rim. Therefore...lots of threes.
Damn, he seriously won the game for the team tonight. Becoming a legit second option. Knew when Harden was struggling to take over and start handling the ball more. White LBJ!
So do yall still think some free throws and assists is too much to ask from CP? I still wish he would draw that foul when he tmacs a fake from three. He had another today, again in crunch time, and he didnt take it. Maybe next time
