His agility drill measurements were slightly faster than Kidd-Gilchrist's. Along with a wider wingspan and reach. Take that for what you will.
While this is true I thought Morris, when he saw minutes, wasn't atrocious on the defensive end. Parsons was ridiculously superior though so it's moot point.
T Jones will have an easier shot at playing SF, but White just intrigues the hell out of me. Also, I believe White has a better shot at SF than Morris now as Royce White was able to play the point position in college.
Maybe one of Morris, Jones, and White will turn into a productive SF, or PF... who cares where. I'm not optimistic, though. I think it's possible on talent. But the roster is way to complicated right now, especially at the forward spot, with guys who are "unique" - how do you decide? Parsons was clearly superior to Morris last year. Partly because it was obvious where to play him, how he fit in, and he excelled, relatively for a rookie, at that obvious spot. DM has a lot of work to do. But let's say the roster doesn't change. How does McHale even ATTEMPT to put together a rotation involving those 3 guys?
For all the people saying Can he guard SFs? Yes. I am not as familiar with White's combine numbers, but Jones compared very well with other SFs in the draft like MKG and slightly less than Barnes. He also guarded the best non-guard perimeter player for calipari when MKG was not in the game.
T. Jones is very athletic and did well in the athleticsm drills, I think he'd make a really good SF, that's his role.
Jones at #18 was a huge steal. Both he and Lamb could get clock right out of the gate. White needs to work on his defense big time.
It seems that Jones measured as a true NBA Power Forward. If he was quick enough to guard the SF, he will most definitely be good enough and fast enough to guard the power forwards. Too many Power Forward? I don't see it. I am intrigued about White, because he is a big big SF... I saw there is a comparison of Anthony Mason with him. White and Parson could be an awesome combination manning up the SF spot. C: Camby, D-Motiejunas, [Brockman, Leurer]}-will need to earn spot PF: Scola, Patterson, Jones SF: Parson, Morris, White SG: Martin, Lee, Lamb PG: Lowry, Dragic (if he re-signs), [Fortson, Livington]}-need fight for spot Scola, Martin, maybe Lowry may be traded at some point this offseason. But until they do, they still form a part of the roster. I also think that Motiejunas should be given every opportunity at center. He's got the size, being a 7 footer. For him it was always a question about strength to play the center position.
Out of the three forwards... Morris, White, Jones... Royce has the best perimeter game. His handles, quickness with the ball is much better than the other two and his passing far above theirs. Jones though has better ball-handling than Morris but then again, Morris has his post game and jumper. Out of all of them Jones is probably the one best suited to guard other PFs in the NBA. His measurements are pretty much the same as Patterson and length is almost identical to his. Drafting Jones makes Ppat expendable.
he can def. guard SF's but he's a PF. And his quickness and atheticism will be a mismatch for other 4's. I want to see what the coaching staff can do with his post game and mid-range game. If he improves both of those things, even slightly, we've got an excellent PF prospect. let's put it this way, if you think Josh Smith is a SF, you will probably think Jones is a SF. But Josh Smith is a PF.
We saw last year that McHale won't go deep to the bench in any given game or adjust game-to-game. He gives guys short stints at being in the rotation and proving they belong there. Right now I fully the rotation to look like this: Starters: Dragic, Lee, Parsons, Scola/PPat (one will be gone), *Center Rest of Rotation: **Camby, Backup PG, Lamb Royce White, Morris, Jones, Montiejunas will all sit and rot, with maybe one of them getting 10 minutes a game, until McHale feels like a shake-up is needed, in which case he'll probably just replace Lamb in the rotation with White or Jones. * Center acquired through free agency and/or Lowry trade ** Camby re-signed because McHale is going to demand veteran presence We will probably trade Lowry, Pat/Scola, and possibly Jones for draft picks and more friendly contracts to setup for future moves, or perhaps to try to land a center. I actually think there is an outside chance that Lowry stays now, in which case he'd bump Lamb out of the rotation. Either way, we're headed for 7th or 8th seed at best once again. I am officially pessimistic about this team now. McHale didn't get hired/take this job to let a bunch of kids play -- his and Les' expectation is to field a competitive roster. And Morey is good but he has trouble closing and might be the unluckiest SOB on the planet.
Agree entirely. And this isn't a McHale issue. It's a talent and fit issue. McHale will play rookies. He played Parsons. He will play Lamb - because he is a great talent that has a clear role on the team. I can't blame him for not playing Morris. He was in over his head mentally, and had trouble adjusting to a new position. I can't see him playing Jones. He may surprise, but has position issues and is he better than Scola, Patterson or DMo... OR Patterson, Morris or White? He MAY play White, because he is so unique.
Yeah, I don't think he has a problem playing rookies, as long as it's only one or two. But asking him to find a way to play Lamb, D-mo, White, Jones, and Morris is impossible...he's already stated that he'd like to get some veteran help with such a young roster (on 790 this morning) AND wasn't shy in expressing his disappointment in the deals for vets that fell through. Speaking of Morris, that guy can't be happy right now. Traded Bud and then take two more guys who he has to compete with. He might become our next T-will.
pretty amazing you can make these prognostications this early into the offsesaon. free agency hasn't even begun. there is certain to be trades. Rookies can surprise like Parsons did last year. There are so many variables that you can't anticipate yet. I don't understand the rash judgement, and your certainty about our team's disfunction.
I'm intrigued by the idea of playing both Jones and White at the same time. Not many teams have offensive weapons at BOTH SF and PF, so playing Jones and White together would give you the mismatch advantage on offense with the ability to rotate them on defense.
