I agree. With a game in doubt VS should not be in the game right now. Sorry, don't have a big concern here. Alston can give you 35 minutes. Head can give you the rest. We can make sure this (Head's time) coincides with Tmac's time if necc. Unless we take an injury to Alston, Tmac or Head I think we are fine. In the mean time (through midseason) we can try to work on VSpan or JL3 becoming an NBA back-up PG. Thus I don't see a need to scramble for a vet PG and his roster spot right now--go with Alston/Head at the one and use the others during garbage time for now. If an injury happens or it is clear Head/VSpan/JL3 are not going to cut it, make a move before the trade deadline or add a vet. But no rush right now.
I totally agree with this. And lets not forget he basically had just gotten off the plane. He admitted that he was pretty distraught about losing his 3 month old nephew. Give the guy a break..
That's just dumb. Perfecting one's assist skill involves working with one's teammates, be it in practice, preseason games, or even regular season games. Can't do it by oneself. There is no other way around it. OTOH, ahem, shooting (including freakin' free throws) at a higher percentage can be practiced mostly, if not exclusively, without one's teammates, let alone wasting the precious "game time." So much for improved shooting ... 0-10 ... *snicker*
God, I hope we don't go out and sign another 35+ "steady" PG. I'm sick of the Mark Jacksons, Rod Stricklands, and *ugh* Rick Brunsons. I want us to commit ourselves to developing young talent. I'm not overly concerned with the Spanoulis turnovers. I bet most of them have come when he's playing alongside second and third-string players. If he has some veterans on the floor with him that know where to be on offense and that can draw some attention from the defense, then his aggressiveness will become more beneficial than problematic.
when did Greece win the WC? there were a lot of starting and reserve PGs (i'm not even sure VSpan started every game) in the WC that will never play in the NBA.
that is a very good question, and one that i never thought of. i can definitely see Battier being the coach on the floor. he can also be a Boris Diaw-like player, but much smarter.
My bad. I stand corrected. Apology to SpiffyRifi. I stopped watching WC after US lost to Greece. That game somehow struck me as the final.
Interesting thought, but Shane clearly doesn't have the skillset of Diaw. Diaw has the skills to be a special NBA player. Let's see how he acts with guaranteed money.
What?? With the amount of talent on the floor, Rafer will be more than enough to potentially get us to the finals. Rafer Alston is a real PG. The problem is we don't have a second one. I expect Luther and Tmac will run the offense when Alston is resting. VSpan with turnovers like that will be in JVG's doghouse sooner than later.
i don't think that Diaw has clearly more or better skills than Shane. he's only about 3 1/2 years younger. he might be quicker and more athletic and a better scorer in the post although Shane is underrated in that department. he's also probably a marginally better rebounder but worse shotblocker and stealer. he's also a worse shooter. overall, i'd still say that Diaw is a poorer although slightly more versatile defender. the only clear although important advantage that Diaw has is his ball-handling and passing, but again Shane's isn't that bad. actually, Shane doesn't do anything bad. and don't forget the intangibles. put another way, would any other team besides Phoenix have given Diaw a chance to play point forward/center? Shane started out as a SG, before settling into an SF and is now the likely starting PF for the Rockets. i'm not saying that he should also be a point-forward/center, but if given a chance, who knows exactly what he could become?
As far as V-Span goes, he spent almost the entire time trying to create without any starters in the game, most rookies would do the exact same thing. Hopefully the Rockets can work V-Span in, in sistuations where all he is really forced to do is hit open shots before they go and hand the reins of the entire offense off on him
These are TERRIBLE numbers BUT: 1) TMac will run alot of point so Lucas may not play much I believe and TMac will make these numbers better. I think Luther is a solid shooter whose #s arent showing up and VSpan is still learning and will become good slasher (worse than Manu but still good) 2) Rafer will get bulk of minutes. I assume 35+, not only because of these stats but also because JVG from what I have seen, has been known to play his starters for ALOT of the time, and just have a minor bench. Should be a good year, and HOPEFULLY we get Bob Sura back that would be sweet.
Who knows, but I think Shane is close to everything he is ever going to be. For him to develop the handle and passing needed to play the point position seems unlikely. On the other hand, Diaw can develop into a better shooter. Plus, he just had a huge year over year improvement and can still get better. I like Shane a lot but Diaw has a much bigger upside IMO. Think Shawn Marion with handles and passing.
Giving John Lucas a multi-year contract was probably detrimental to the franchise. They should have pursued a gritty defensive veteran PG like Lindsay Hunter, Darrell Armstrong, Derek Fisher or even a Monta Ellis. Controlling penetration is so important in JVG's defense with Yao running around on the perimeter... none of our PG's (Alston, Head, Lucas, Spanoulis) can do it. Spanoulis is the closest, and IMO he'll be our starter next year.
That's a little wierd to say that a guy who has gone from SG to SF to PF might be finished learning. When coaches are done asking new things of Shane, then Shane might be done learning. 'Might be', because he may choose to learn a new skill. Why would you pigeon hole a guy who is so versatile?
Sorry, I can't edit. Boris Diaw will never be anything like Marion. Marion was a double double guy by his second season in the league. Diaw might be able to dribble and pass, but he's also a system guy. The system will break down in a few years when Nash, who already plays limited minutes, shuts down. Marion is a legit MVP candidate, Diaw will never be an MVP caliber player. His third year was 13.5 and 6.5 and that's after a big jump in stats. He's not going to keep making huge leaps. It doesn't work that way. It will be small improvements from here on out.
One thing all MVP candidates have in common is the ability to create for themselves or others offensively. Marion never has, and never will be considered a legit MVP candidate. Some sports journalists jump all over Marion when he has a big streak of games statistically, but the reality is he just doesn't have the ability to carry a team... which is what seperates the good players from the MVP's.
Shane's been in the NBA 5 seasons, is a great role player, and I think he is what he is. The versatility he shows now is something he's had from day 1 in the NBA. Most NBA players don't learn how to play the point when they are 28 years old. Point-type handles and passing are something he hasn't demonstrated before and probably never will.
Luther hands down will be the backup PG, he can shoot the 3 ball, defend, very athletic and isn't a turnover machine. You know what you are going to get from Luther. He may not be a true PG, but I feel very comfortable with him there. V-Span is going to take some time, but I think at some point he will settle down and get a shot at some playing time during the latter part of the season.
