OutThe reason brewer is a much better defender than k.j. especially because of our defensive scheme is because he plays the passing lanes. We have an aggressive attacking defense. Steals often lead to easy transition points which is also why brewer is a much better offensive threat than kj especially in our offense. Brewers steals, energy off the bench and easy transition buckets make him a far more valuable player on the rockets. K.j. has potential to become a brewer type player and hopefully better. But that's potential to be, not 'is'. I think we traded for him to be one of either Ariza or brewers replacement for if/or when we trade one of them in the future. Or as an asset himself down the road.
Morey takes chances on players that have an elite skill and fit the system. In this case, KJ is a freak in-game athlete, has a 6-11 1/4 wingspan so he can guard multiple positions and shot block and is a transitional scorer. He could be our future at 3&D wing if he develops a better 3pt shot.
Well some people did watch him play with the 76ers and some people knew about him coming out of college. Brewer has potential to be an elite wing defender and is already a better defender than Corey Brewer who isn't a particularly good defender, he just gambles on steals a lot.
yes he is. brewer plays passing lanes, KJ plays his man. more athletic. corey brewer shot 28 percent for 3. 28. i did watch him in philly. he's a solid defender. high energy. elite shot blocker. yes. elite shot blocker. helps on the offensive glass. he's a quality player. he played well in philly, he can contribute here.
So, hypothetically... its the fourth quarter in a close game and Ariza isn't available... You're saying you're putting KJ McDaniels in the game over Brewer?
doesn't make him a better defender. Steals is likely the highest defensive reward. Not to mention playing the passing lanes stops passes from happening and bogs an opposing offense down. Defense. His offense comes from shots at the rim and in transition where is very efficient and the most efficient shots in basketball. Again offense. He did play well on a team trying to tank. But did Not on a contender. It's easy to shine was surrounded by trash. Much harder when surrounded by quality.
I have to agree with the KJ supporters. Given half a season of playing time on a winning team, I would play him over Brewer. However, at this particular point in time, I would take Brewer. Lots of experience and that energizer bunny mentality has really helped this team. They are close enough in terms of abilities right now, but McDaniels obviously has the higher ceiling. There's something about McDaniels' demeanor as well if you happen to have watched most of the games he was with the team. He's always observing the game very very carefully. Watching every play, every move, even when he knew he would not play, but still cheering his team on when it's time to do that. I really like that quality in a player and if I were a betting man I'd say he's going to be a better player than Corey Brewer in less than a year. I wish we had McDaniels' bird rights rather than Brewer's.
McDaniels plays the 2. They can both play. The bench (If we stand pat PG wise and resign Smith) could be: NJ KJ Brew Smoove Capela That's legit defense and get out and run offense. No shooting though.
Brewer is the best player in the league at leaking out and playing the passing lane,has been in the league for years and is a proven vet. KJ had inconsistent playing time for the worst team in the league, hasn't proven anything. He's far from Brewer's current form.
He appears to have all the good tools for a special defender. Players that get a reputation for defense as a rookie tend to become really good defenders. By all accounts, he has a GREAT work ethic, which is a really promising sign (as opposed to a guy with talent but who is not driven). Also, the front office if CLEARLY high on him and obviously think he's a gem to develop for the future (esp. if Brewer or Ariza have to be traded to get a star player later on). You can debate the wisdom of it, but clearly the FO decided KJ was worth not giving Llull the full MLE. Also, they seem to be willing to possibly antagonize Smith by not giving him the MLE but saving it for KJ (and asking Smith to take the $2.5M instead). As for him not playing much last year, both Ariza and Brewer were ahead of him; he just came over and just started picking up our system; and he got hurt as the playoffs began. Also, I suspect there was some subtle "hiding a hidden gem" game going on during the regular season so that KJ didn't shine too much and draw an offer the Rockets can't match. As it is, they're probably matching any offer for the MLE, provided it is not poisoned pilled.
People who think KJ is better now than Brewer are completely mistaken. And those who think he will be better than Brewer in 1/2 a season is probably mistaken as well. Brewer is a smart, seasoned veteran with some excellent skills that fit the rocket's game plans. They valued him at least $8M/year, and you know Morey tries to get equal value at least. However, that doesn't change the fact that KJ may very well be a gem and could be a wonderful wing player. He has the tools for it. He by all accounts is really hard working. When you add that to the physical defensive tools he already has and the defensive reputation he is ALREADY earning as a rookie, that shows a lot of promise (rookies who show defensive prowess and are hard working regularly become at least serviceable rotation players). Paying him the full MLE now is like paying him $3M in next year's CAP. The Rockets paid for him. They decided to not give Llull the full MLE in the hopes of keeping him. They're deciding now to not offer Smith the full MLE so they can use it to match KJ. I bet they want to lock KJ up for 4 years at up to the MLE.
Brewer is a better at the fast break and better at finishing at the rim. That's about the only things Brew is better than KJ at. It doesn't matter though. Match whatever contract KJ gets and get it over with. If Brewer goes down do all of you just expect for Sam Dekker to come in and fill that role nicely? What if he isn't ready yet? We know what KJ can do. At least I know what KJ can do and I believe he can fill Brewer's role if Brew goes down for any period of time. Works the same if Ariza goes down and Brewer starts. Who's going to take the back up spot? Are we all that confident in Sam Dekker even though he hasn't played a summer league game yet? College basketball talent doesn't always transfer to the NBA and it's not a risk I want to take. KJ is insurance. You take your insurance. You always do. Stop debating whether he sucks or not. We're not going to win a championship with him getting major minutes, but if Brewer or Ariza go down then what? Dekker is going to for sure be on the roster, but what if he isn't ready? It's good to have options.
I'd like to do whatever we can for Jamal Crawford and I Thomas because we all know one or two guys can get injured and then what
