The game was amazing but I cant help but wonder about our potential (which seems unlimited) The Big Two played solid. So im wondering in order of importance what needs should we address first. In no particular order.... 1. PG - Sura is trying to fill in but he isnt a PG and he doesnt have 3pt range or the vision. He does play tough defense but we need someone who can spread the floor. 2. 3pt Shooter - We are lacking a consistent 3pt bomber (Pike/SKerr mold) that can come off the bench and hit the wide open 3's. 3. SF - JJ is getting old and doesnt have the height, quickness or atheletic ability to be our long term solution at the position. I am hoping we find someone in Boki's mold (tall, quick excellent 3pt shooter) but JVG doesnt seem to have any confidence in him. 4. PF- we have 4 PF's but even if combined all of them together they wouldnt be that tall, know how to rebound or play much defense. Last year we had an interesting 1 / 2 punch with Cato and Mot but now we have only Mot and MoT. The sad things is MoT and JHoward seem to have lost their confidence and are shooting a career lows in FG%/PPG/RPG. 5. Midrange game - It doesnt always have to be the 3pt shot I would be happy with someone who can knock down the midrange jumpers with some consistency and we dont have that either. please discuss. J
Power forward! #1 priority Sura had more rebounds last night than Taylor and Howard combined. Our improved rebounding numbers have helped us win the last 3 games as much as anything. Get a rebounder/strong power player at the 4. #2 good shooter. Besides Yao and TMac we have no third option. The way JVG is coaching requires the extra pass to the open shooter. Only problem we don't have the shooters.
PG: Sura and AB are going to be fine for us there....so, no urgent problem there...I disagree that Sura doesnt have the skills to play point...he does, SF: Boki.....he can do it...he just needs to be allowed to play wihtout the fear of VG over his shoulder PF: I cant defend any of them except Padge and Spoon.....you can claim all dayh long that Howard and Mo dont rebound and seem to have mislaid their shots....I cnat argue that...but Padge and Spoon do a fine job of hustling after the boards...I just wish they were about 4 or 5 inches taller 3 point shooters..... Tmac, Boki, Sura can hit the 3...Im kinda disappointed that the ability to hit the 3 he shoed inthe first couple of game sback seems to have evaporated....JJ may be old....but he can still can the 3....Padge has good 3 point ability. thats 5 players our of 12 that are decent to good 3 point shooters...could it be better....of course....but you play the hand you are dealt.
Why can JVG find a Chucky Brown or Pete Chillcut like Rudy? Did you guys remember that we STARTED CHILCUT against Jazz in 95 playoffs? Rudy was a scout before he was an assistant. Maybe that was his advantage.
The sad thing is JVG feels that getting a "one" is probably Priority #1 for this team, so said Doc Rocket. But I think he knows he needs a four also. Man, we currently have EIGHT point guards and power forwards combined, and really not a viable option in the bunch (though Sura, Barrett and Padgett are slowly finding their niche).
Im sure some people would like to find a PF/C combo like TBattie or PJBrown that rebound well and have the midrange game. I think PF is our main concern I think Mot is quite talented but his lack of rebouding and defense makes him a liability. Example. When the other team is shoot FT's im always worried MoT's man will somehow snag the offensive rebound. Then the next position of concern is PG... Sura is filling in nicely but how much better would a ADaniels/DJone look running our offense? They can spread the floor with their outside shooting and they make good decisions with the ball. Dont get me wrong Sura is trooper but his lack of outside shooting is a liability. Rocks2K mentioned we have 5 3pt shooters but 1. Sura is poor 3pt shooter. 2. Boki our best 3pt specialist is on the IL 3. JJ has been way too inconsistent 4. Padgett can shoot the three but hasnt been firing. 5. TMac is TMac and I love his outside shooting but would prefer he take less 3's and instead attack the rim and get to the foul line. J
Definitely need a power forward who understands the importance of rebounding. Unlike Maurice Taylor, to whom "box out" means, "No Krispy Kremes, box out."
Mo was missing shots lastnight and not getting rebounds. He did have a couple of nice moves though, including a nice dunk. If he can get his offense back and we get a good starting PF, I think we will be set.
I was thinking along these lines, but more like, "there are a lot of PFs in the league who are playing C on smaller teams."
I think the thinking with getting a solid PG is the top priority is that a solid PG will help invigorate the offense which would lead to higher percentage shots and therefore scoring more points. I think JVG feels that if the team can score more points, it can play good enough "team" defense to win more games. Still, we know we need a HUGE upgrade at PF, but perhaps JVG feels we can make more of a "difference" with improved offense via a PG. I just want to know what JVG was smoking when he decided to sign Charlie Ward!
