ClutchFans Game Thread: Grizzlies @ Rockets 10/9/2014 (PRESEASON)

my biggest takes from this game:
1. Johnson looked completely out of whack playing the 1, several bad passes and turnovers.
2. I like Black's chances to make the team if he keeps playing like that, very strong effort on both ends and the glass tonight.
3. Canaan and DMo looked bad tonight, though they both played hard.
4. Daniels is going to see a major uptick in minutes this year because of his floor spacing, look for Harden to play the backup PG spot with Daniels coming in at the 2 when Harden moves over.
5. I liked what I've seen from Beverley and Ish in terms of creating shots for others and themselves in these two preseason games, hopefully they can carry it into the regular season.
6. Canaan or Johnson really need to step it up moving forward or else we will need to bring in outside help at the PG spot. I wish we had just keep brooks last year he is a much better option than anyone not named Patrick Beverley on our roster.

 

I think Brooks was going to be a FA though this year, and we may not have been able to sign him for what he wanted.

 

The good thing from this game is Bev is looking awesome and stepping up. The bad thing is bench is still a big ?. No one really knows what's happening out there.

 

I think of the bench people these player show promise

ish smith - play making. ability to run the offense set. pass first pg
adrien - knack for rebounding. hustle, energy guy, good shooter in the paint
black - hustle energy rebounding..possible back up for howard.
k pap - good overall knowledge of gain. some adjustment do to coming over from europe (ie hand check rule, longer 3 point line) . hes very much a team player though

we haven't seen Terry play though; it will be interesting to see what he has left. Also we havent seen how much Dorsey has improved in Europe.

 

why would we not be able to resign him? he signed for the minimum with Chicago... we could have matched that easily. We even gave several guaranteed minimum contracts to just the training camp guys of which more than likely several will be cut before the regular season starts.

 

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My belief that enough guys off the bench will emerge to rotation worthy was not dimisnhed tonight.

Harden is going to be a beast this year. Really think he will/needs to end up near 30 points a game.

 

harden pretty much did as he pleased, sure he'll have games where he misses shots, but as far as defenders go, he's beyond the level of being stopped, single coverage doesn't effect him at all.

And i think i saw more defensive effort in 20 minutes than i'd see in the first 3 quarters of 4-5 games last year.

 

i like this cat, ish smith... he has a great feel for the game.

 

Black definitely needs to make this team if he keeps up this energy, rebounding and hustle! We definitely know this: nothing is guaranteed, even with Dorsey and others having (partially) guaranteed contracts. Morey and Leslie have paid and cut players plenty of times before.

I also want Ish to make the team since Terry is the only other PG we have. That leaves Daniels & Nick at SG, Papa & Garcia at SF, D-Mo at PF and Black & Capela at C. I like to see Canaan get cut but he won't so probably Ish will not make the team.

Powell, Mitchell & Covington are sure cuts. Ish probably with Canaan here. That leaves the last spot between Dorsey & Adrien. If Dorsey cannot show he's worthy, Adrien probably makes it. I like him over Ish Smith but you never know.

Morey needs to look at unloading Canaan and maybe D-Mo to make room for guys who are clearly better and more worthy.

 

I thought he wanted more. have you ever thought that morey wanted to go a different direction. I was just speculating I have no idea.

 

Black is making this squad.
There were things defensively I noticed in the Summer League which made me take an interest in him, and seeing him these first two pre-season games has solidified it. He is aware defensively which is going to be key when Dwight is out.

Ish Smith is the backup PG.
Even with his shooting deficiency, his quickness in attacking the paint and his court vision are going to be important with defenders occupied in the post. Plus, Canaan can't run point and I think Johnson is D-League this season as he hasn't shown much to hint at him being capable of running the point yet (he does look to have the fundamentals for a great 'popper' on the P'n'R

Troy Daniels.
Damn.. With him getting minutes alone - this team is going to be much improved from downtown.
It is also going to open up the fast break when he's on the floor running straight to the corner.

Jones to the bench.
For.... Adrien.
Jones I think is best suited playing against the second stringers and going all out attack mode. I honestly envision Adrien to be in the starting lineup at some stage this season.

D-Mo.
Mr Inconsistent.
I didn't see him have one touch in the post to start a set today.
Don't know how much he can be blamed though since coaches obviously don't believe to utilise his best asset.

Ariza.
Who is Parsons? Just lol at people (mainly people who get paid to write about sports) thinking we'd be worse for swapping Parsons for Ariza.
Ariza's effort on the defensive end is beautiful. Deflections, steals - they are infectious.
Him and Beverley on the perimeter this year.... I don't expect to see any opposition perimeter player have a career night.

Papa.
I can't wait to see what he's like when he's confident in his stroke halfway through this season and is adjusted to the NBA 3 point line. He's a threat off the dribble as well it seems and he's confident in putting the ball on the court. Another nice pick up it seems - much better and more versatile than Casspi.

 

^^ excellent post Downtown

 

So, the comparison to Bird is a few ways. First off, Larry Bird did everything on the court. Shot, rebounded, played defense, quick hands, crafty shooter from odd angles, kept the ball moving so you couldn't put a bead on it, could shoot from long range, post game, great vision, great post passer and played small forward. I think Papa is all of those things. Not to the same degree, but he has incredibly quick hands that he uses on both sides of the court. If Pap has the will to improve all those skills and be a professional... I think he could be special. For now, he only has potential.

 

Troy Daniels--plug him in any part of the game and he's ready to shoot. Hot and always hot

 

Papa looks awkward when he drives but hey, so far no TOs, so I can't complain much.

He's always thinking team first, he's looking to move the ball, do the dirty work. The fact he can hit his shots from time to time is a big bonus. Every team needs guys like that. Intangibles

I'm still waiting for one of his chasedown blocks, but he may find the game too fast for him at this point. He had one block tonight though going one-on-on with his man,

 

Lol I'm sure you didn't watch the game. But did you even look at the box scores?

 

Ish Smith is a AAAA player, always looks good against D-league level talent, but when the best players show up, he becomes a complete non-threat off the dribble or even cutting to the basket. That makes him a one dimensional player in terms of passing the ball, and those guys don't do well longterm.

I really would love if we had a rangy player that could bring some 6'3-6'4 size to the PG position, play good defense off the bench just like Bev and not be a black hole in terms of his jump shot. But the best we can muster up is Nick Johnson doing his best Courtney Lee impression. I hope Johnson improves fast as the season goes along because he is a much better fit for this team. 3 and D from the backup PG spot would be huge, especially given the amount of killer PG's that are in the West.

 

I think so. He's out with left foot - plantar fasciitis, same foot and same injury that hobbled him out of service for us back in 2009.

Compared to last year's preseason, he's this year's Camby. As in, a blast from the past that never made it to the court for his 2nd shot.

Plus Tarik Black and Dorsey are vying for the same spot and Black has been playing fantastic consistently since the SL games. Black was also a Jayhawk in his last year and finished his college degree in less than 4 years, which is amazing. To finish a degree early WHILE having the heavy obligation of playing college ball and traveling? Plus playing for Kansas is like NBA lite. Them, Kentucky and a few other teams might as well be NBA teams. 4 years of college ball is typically a great thing. He's smart, well-coached, and ready to contribute immediately.

And in the other corner we got Dorsey...a guy who historically for us couldn't get healthy enough to get on the court, and when he did, he'd get sent right back to the bench in a hurry cause of foul trouble. I was semi-stoked about the chemistry potential with him and Pap, but if he has the same foot injury then I say DO NOT WANT. It's like Greg Smith for the Mavs. I really hope Greg's injury days are behind him, but I suspect he'll play really good a few weeks into the season before his knee starts swelling up again.

 

Anyone have troy daniels highlights??