Cam Whitmore traded to Wizards for 2 2nd round picks

You can't afford to screw up the moment you get KD as a contender, you can afford to screw up when you are a bottom feeder, like when we drafted Jalen. But if you want to win, and the goal is to win, then that's not the time to screw things up. We already lost Mobley because our team culture sucked and it was well known around the league, players only started wanting after Ime arrived and he changed the culture.

Same for the Knicks and Clippers. Basically, if you are a good player and you have options, would you rather play for the type of teams like Nolan and Sterling where players avoided them like the plague or well run teams? Mind you, we're talking about NYC and LA here, and nobody wanted to go there until their culture changed.

So yeah, culture matters.

 

Lol. It wasn’t an unproven allegation that the hotheaded kid abandoned his team and drove away from the arena at halftime because he wasn’t getting his way.

Pretending that Stone and the org hadn’t already place KPJ on the “give him one last shot” list long before he punched his GF is just silly.

(Yeah, yeah, *alledgedly* punched her. Tomato, tomahto.)

 

No, agreed he was an immature idiot at times - and he deserved to be suspended - and there is a point in which you go....F...it....and toss him away....I just didn't think we were there, and really wanted to see what Ime would do with him.

A lot of guys that he played with said he was the most talented player on their team......he just needed some tough love, IMHO.

Something Ime has an abundance of.

DD

 

My take is that the FO was surprised to find ourselves with the 2nd best record in the WC last year, and immediately decided that NOW is the time to go all-out for a title.

Dumping Jalen because of his inconsistency became a priority when he managed to step DOWN in the playoffs. Then snagging KD solved our single biggest area of need: consistent scoring. After that, all the moves were about a) shoring things up (DFS replacing Dillon), b) getting more roster depth, and c) eliminating distractions.

Trading Cam was all about the latter. Had he been more Reed-like in his attitude, they’d have kept him for development. But he proved to be exactly the guy 20 teams passed on. Now it’s 21.

Quick: Name a player on the current roster with a bad attitude. You can’t. It’s finals or bust now.

 

If I remember correctly, wasn't KPJ the only player who showed up to Ime's presser to smile and kiss that taint? Then decided to go Clubber Lang on his girlfriend before Ime's tough love could be administered?

A shame, given KPJ's 5-cent head killing his talent . Because Stone (and wife) were giving KPJ aaaaaaaaaaaaall the cookies he could eat. "Honey, he's just misunderstood." "Yeah, and I got him for a steal."

 

I wouldn’t be shocked if Stone’s dealings with KPJ (who eventually proved Stone’s trust in him was misguided) impacted the decision to move on from Cam. Fool me once, etc.

 

I see you are new to this. I'll let this pass.

KD has a worse defensive rating than Christian Wood and has had a worse defensive rating than James Harden for the past 5 seasons. He was a solid defender when he was with GS, but never exceptional. Presently he offers little beyond length.

 

And that would be stupid, every situation is different.....no baggage allowed if you want to make smart biz decisions.

DD

 

Jalen was horrible his rookie year. He was really bad esp on defense. If he never improved on defense he would have been benched by Ime who doesnt play players with bad defense.

The stats of Jalen are misleading his efficiency has barely improved but thats cuz the league has been ramping up in difficulty the past 4 yrs as more talented players come in while the old guard still playing at a high level. If you doubt me just look at the Kings. 4 yrs ago they look like they will be in the Finals now they are in the lotto with pretty much the same roster.

 

lol. He who forgets history is not doomed to repeat it. Learning from past mistakes is stupid.

 

This.

 

Hmmm, sounds like America.

And, I don't believe we are a contender this year, without someone that can create for others on the ball.

DD

 

How can other players in the league improve their efficiency but Jalen can't?

 

After posting plenty of players made a name for themselves with elite offense and zero defense. KD is one of those, you'll "let this slide". Is this a joke? Humor?

The only thing you let slide here is yourself. KD "made a name" for himself as a complete player well before his Achilles injury.

Try having a clue or maybe avoid extreme, nonsensical exaggeration.

 

Your suggestion actually gives Cam different rules from the whole team?

I in real life had a past issue with a "Give me rah-rah hustle over talent" coach in my school days. So I actually personally understand frustration with those types. But I feel Cam had time to adapt to Ime, and feel Cam was a little too aloof about it.

You mention shot making as reason for not playing, when it appears defense effort & focus is what determines play for everyone.

Also Cam began the season shooting horribly, 1 for 21 from 3. The only thing that deserves is getting cut, not 35 minutes a game. When Cam got back from G League & injury, that coincided with Jalen having his 1 annual superstar shooting month. So it wasn't until last 1/4th of the season where Cam could reasonably threaten Jalen's time.

James Harden played his first 3 years off the bench behind Thabo Sefalosha. Then developed from a poor into an adequate defender when challenged. Nobody thinks Harden is a locker room professional character. What's its say that a #20 pick is more entitled than top 5 picks?

But if Cam Whitmore wants the Ricky Davis Stats / Highlights / Contract career, he can do that

 

Jalen did improve his efficiency. He had career highs in 3 pt% and FT% while also improving his defense. He just laid an egg in the playoffs thats why his value crashed and people forgot every good thing he did in the regular season.

 

I predict Cam will bust out in about 2-3 years and really open some eyes. Those eyes will be in Shanghai, though. Hope he likes Chinese food.

 

Why aren't Clipper or Cavalier fans upset at the loss of the budding star KPJ? Because he isn't a difference maker He and Cam are just average dime a dozen players.

 

Your views about 20 year old kids are extremely selective. For Cam and KPJ, they are just young guys that will eventually mature. Getting rid of them is bad management. Yet, a guy like Jalen Green had to mature by the age of 19 or else he is hopeless of becoming a star.

Basically you are extremely patient with players you like, probably until they retire, and have zero patience with players you don't like.

 

It is about talent - Jalen never had it , he relied on athleticism not skill - give me those with skill every single day.

Jalen never even started on his AAU or HS team he was a great athlete not a great basketball player.

DD