Bev is not an NBA starting calibre PG and his defense is way overrated. The experiment of starting Bev must end if this team is to progress.
I'm a Beverley fan, but this is what I've noticed: With the increased minutes, this is what's changed in him since last year: - Last year, he was pedal-to-the-metal on D nearly all the time. It's not feasible to expect that level of energy from anyone playing 35+ mpg. - He created more shots last year (both for himself and others). As the backup PG, he had more freedom to drive/create in that unit, but now with the starters, he's the 5th option. He mostly gets it to Harden and relegates himself to spot-up shooting duty. This is partly what we need, but by him not putting pressure on the D, he's doing himself (and the team) a disservice...the question is whether there are enough opportunities for him to do that in the starting group. - Going back to the last point, his USG% is shockingly low this year. He's not an amazing penetrator or ball-handler, but he's quick and crafty, and he usually has good touch on his floaters. What needs to be done: - Keep Bev as the starter. He's a good fit with that group, we just need some slight tweaks in terms of how we attack. Beverley taking advantage of driving lanes (on occasion) is one of them. I also think Lin is a great fit as a super-6th-man. - Cut his minutes by just a little (maybe add a few to Lin's, but I think the real answer would come from acquiring a defensive 2/3, so we wouldn't have to rely solely on Lin to be the backup SG). With his MPG going from the mid 30s to the mid-to-high 20s, I think we'd the elite activity level more often from Bev, and that'd be great.
"Originally Posted by TheTruth1 View Post Lin is soft unfortunately. He barely got bumped in then playoffs and then could move his arms to put his shirt on for three weeks. I watch the reply of his latest misadventure. Milsap barely touched him and now Lin will probably be out a month or need to be put back together like Lee Majors. Good thing this guy didn't try and play in the 80s. He would have needed Traction therapy after every quarter." I dont think he is.....
I'm not sure what you mean. I also focus on him every play, as I find him really entertaining. His defense is great. Frankly, if it wasn't for his defense our last two games, we would have been destroyed. Especially last night when nearly no one was shooting well, and as such all we had was our defense (and Beverley was basically the only guy who played that for the most part).
Bev's USG% being lower is actually what is needed and why he is on the starting line up, because of fit. he works great as off the ball and spot up shooter. McHale uses Bev too much. I think it was 41min last night. Can't expect him to spam hardcore D for all of 41min. He's gonna run out of gas, which defeats the purpose of him being a defensive specialist. Giving him less and more minutes to Lin would be better.
And Tony Parker was abysmal. Expecting a player to completely eliminate good games from their counterpart is not a reasonable expectation.
Interesting how people keep focusing on Trey having a "career high," when that was literally the 4th game of his career. He scored one more point than his previous career high, which came in -- shocker -- the 3rd game of his career, 3 days before. LOL.
"on him"... As Murphy, Bullard, Worrell, Drexler, and McHale stressed numerous times the last few days... Our team defense has sucked. Beverley himself has played great defense. The reason those three put up statistics is because he was having to guard multiple players by himself, and no one was giving him any help defense.
