I admit that I have ripped the guards with the rest of you, and rightfully so, but over the last several games I have come to the conclusion that we just aren't a playoff team yet, and there is plenty of blame, if you want to blame someone, to pass around. Anyway here is my assesment, both positive and negative of the main minute guys on our team. ** James Posey Positives---although I think his D 's been suspect the last couple of games, he is still a very good defender who hustles his ass off. Pose is also real athletic and is a good running mate on the break for Steve and Cat Negatives--James can't consistantly hit the open jumper, a cause for the double teams on Yao, and our other post guys. It is unfortunate that he can't, cause so far James hasn't seen a shot he hasn't liked!!! ** Eddie Grffin Positives--EG is a good shot blocker, and his main asset is his age and potential, which at times he has shown flashes of greatness. Decent rebounder Negatives--Doesn't have any post up game whatsoever, and is in love with the outside shot, which he doesn't hit on a regular basis. Eddie also must improve his man to man Defense. ** Yao Ming Positives-- can be dominant at times. Great passer, has a high bb iq, and is probably the most skilled 7-4+ guy ever. Can shoot the jumper, and has Dreamesque post moves at times. Great shot blocker, and good rebounder. Negatives--has played for about 2 years straight right now, and isn't accustomed to the physical play of the league yet. IMO this is the main reason he seems to be lethargic and uninspired some nights, he is tired. Needs to work on his strength and conditioning to get better positioning. ** Cat Positives---Is a good scorer, who can create his own shot off the dribble, or hit the open jumper. Negatives---isn't a good defender, at times appears to shoot way too much,even when he isn't open and a teamate is. Overall has a low BB iq. ** Steve Francis Positives--Good scorer who can also create his own shot, or shots for others off the dribble. Good perimeter shooter, and good rebounder. At times is a decent to good playmaker. Negatives--not a good defender, sometimes appears to not get his teammates involved as much as needed. Overall low BB iq. The reason I broke it down like this was for everyone to see why I have come to these conclusions. IMO J.Posey and EG shouldn't start if we are going to run the offense through Yao. EG has no post up game, and can't hit long jumpers with consistancy, and Posey can't hit a jumper either. This is why Yao is seeing double and triple teams, because the forwards can't hit the shots on a consistant basis. Personally, I think the Rox brass made a mistake in the short term by trading KT. EG isn't ready to be a starting PF in this league yet. Posey would be great of the bench, but we need someone who can hit the open shot when teams decide to double team. As for Yao, I hope he rests as much as possible during the All star break, because he looks like he needs it. The Cat and Steve show has to be toned down, but I don't know if that is a viable option given that our forwards have the aforementioned flaws, and Yao doesn't have the legs or conditioning yet to dominate every night. I love the team long term, but don't see us making the playoffs this year, becausewe lack a PF with a post up game, a SF who can hit a jumper consitantly, and are not a good defensive team. So I said all this to say it isn't all the guards fault, they don't have alot to work with right now. We have seriously overrated this team.
