A second playmaker that doesn't play defense will essentially be Harden's backup most of the time. We have to play significant minutes with a defensive presence at the 1. You just witnessed Curry cooking us up. We don't have to trade assets and clog up cap with a secondary playmaker that can't or won't defend. They're all over the place. And available by trading ink and greenbacks instead of talent. Mo Williams Luke Ridnour Aaron Brooks John Salmons Rondo (1 year MLE) Lou Williams (underrated defender as well, would be significant upgrade at the point for us) There's you 6 guys off the top of my head that can handle it, break down practically any defender one on one, and can get you buckets. No big long-term money tied up in them and no trade assets shoveled out the door for them.
Jennings is certainly intriguing - him & George Hill strike me as 2 guys you wouldn't expect to be entirely available, but depending on the direction of the team they may become expendable (Jennings - Won't accept 6th man role, Hill - Team gets Dragic commitment). Don't think we have any pieces Detroit will want considering their philosophy of a big guy surrounded by shooters, but he fits multiple needs.
The only difference between Jeremy Lin and Ty Lawson is turnover rate. Think about that for a minute. If Jeremy could knock his turnovers down low...he'd have basically the same metrics as Lawson. I'd much rather sign Jeremy for the minimum and tell him he'll play and earn a good contract if he keeps turnovers down than to trade assets for Lawson and worry about him getting drunk on us and tying up our cap next summer and the summer after that.
Ideally, you want someone who can do both. James may be emphasizing have a 2nd playmaker beside him, but if we put a poor defender there, we'll be hearing complaints from Howard about being in foul trouble all the time due to our starting guards' failure to stay in front of their man.
This is something I've been saying for awhile but ofcourse you get the people who say "Harden handles the ball, we don't need a real point guard" right...
We could've gotten Mo Williams awhile ago, when I suggested this I was called an idiot because he used to be on the Blazers I guess? who cares, if he can still play like that then he should be on this team. We needed someone with fire who could create their own shot.
Jennings has improved, but he is coming off a severe injury. We have limited choices, but we can't afford any more injuries.
Bev is the only pg that can be effective playing with him and put with his ball hogging. Shouldn't have made that statement publicly.
Idiotic comment is idiotic. Harden was often the primary ball handler out of NECESSITY - Bev & Jet simply aren't creators for the offense. If anything Harden's issue is he's sometimes too willing of a passer. He's definitely not a 'ball hog.'
He isn't a "ball hog," but he IS a "ball stopper." The problem with Harden is that once he passes the ball or simply not participate in the play, he just stands there. He doesn't move. He doesn't set screens. He essentially doesn't play within a system that is conducive to an offense that doesn't involve him being the primary ball handler. We will NEVER have an offense like GSW if Harden doesn't understand how to play off the ball and help create offensive looks within a system.
Weird how Harden averages 7 assists a game (7.5 in the playoffs) and the mentally challenged still call him a "ball-hog." Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler averaged that many assists per game once in their careers. Kobe never did. Yes, elite playmaking shooting guards will have the ball in their hands a lot. That's their job.
And I think that's why Harden's comments are so intriguing. He understands that to get to the next level he can't be the one offensive threat. He WANTS another playmaker, which to me means he's willing to learn how to play off the ball.
