I think that you and drpepper are talking about the same thing but just using different language. Every roster has 4 kinds of players: stars, role-players, journeymen, and prospects. The role players do what the stars don't do, so every team needs different types of role players. Some role-players are defenders. Some are shooters. Some are energy guys etc. For example, Milwaukee does't have a jump-shooting role player because they already have two of the best: Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson. LA is making great use of Horry as an outside shooter AND a defender. That's why he is a valuable but overpaid commodity. Tyronn Lue has emerged as a fantastic defensive role player. If the Lakers were playing the Bucks instead of the 76ers, he would still be riding the pine. The role players we seek are a defense/rebounding post presence to backup our questionable perimeter defense, board and outlet. We also need an outside shooting 3 to punish the good man-to-man defense that prevents slashing drives by Mobeley or Francis or does the same by packing a "zone." Prospects turn into journeymen (Chucky Brown) , role players (Glen Rice), or stars (Kobe Bryant). You need them all. ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils.
Discussions which gravitate toward semantics are usually not helpful. That is because perceptions as to where a player belongs in the definitional approach often differ. My read is that players whose talents limit them are "role" players. This team has too many, and needs more well rounded players who can deliver a broader range of skills than we have at present. Anderson: good D, but too lacking in other areas to justify starting or playing over 22 minutes a game. Bullard: mainly a solid three point option, but not really good in any other area, and a liability at over 12 minutes a game. Williams: same as Bull, with a little better skills in other areas. Cato: when he plays, a shot blocker, but little else. Rogers: going to the hole for tip-ins and dunks, but little else. Taylor: scoring, but little else. We need more players who can play extended minutes without glaring deficiencies. Right now, the only well rounded players we have are Moochie, Steve, Cat, and Dream. So we need more players who can excel in several areas. That is the attraction of Chris Webber. He scores, rebounds and blocks shots, and passes well. The draft seems to have a wealth of players who can offer talents which are useful, but the number who can be expected to contribute significantly at both ends is limited. Frankly, that is the attraction of Battier. The guy plays both ends well, and contributes in many areas. Every draft season, there seems to be a fascination with the new talent, as if it will be better and more outstanding than it really is. The truth is that there will probably not be more than 5 or 6 rookies who have any significant impact their rookie season. Good players usually take time to develop, especially since many have not had four years of college. Kobe. TMac. Rashard Lewis. Three high school kids who took time to develop. Of course, Lewis is behind the other two, but Kobe and TMac have played longer and are a couple of years older. Proven players are likely to be more helpful in the next two to three years than any rookie, but that you have to try to get players who can deliver on both ends. And I don't see many players like that in this allegedly "deep" draft. Beating the Lakers or any number of other teams means we have to have players who are more well rounded at the 3, 4, and 5 spots. There will always be a need for a Shandon Anderson, but not 28 minutes a game. There will always be a need for a Bull or a Williams, but not both of them. There will always be a need for a Taylor or Thomas, but not both of them. I don't think that a player has to be either a superstar or a role player. They can be a solid contributor in many areas without being a role player or a superstar. But that gets back to one's perception of the terms, doesn't it? ------------------
------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils. [This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited June 17, 2001).]
I don't think comparing your team to the world champions and see how they stack up is a waste of time at all. Comparing how your team stacks up is the best way to get a realistic view of how the team is coming along and at what pace. HP, You said ..."All I ask for is season tickets and Rudy continuing to build around Steve and Cuttino in a manner that makes them superstars" Well all I ask for is " We put together a team that can compete for the world championship as soon as possible. I don't give a RATS A$$ about making anyone a superstar. Give me a consistent shot at the title" HP, I guess you are willing to settle for less, but I am not !!! DaDakota ------------------ If you like RTS games, check out this one. www.frontierwars.com coming soon to a PC near you.
DaDakota, I was assuming people understood that Francis and Mobley becoming superstars would be a measure of the success of the team. Like you are saying we need a superstar to be successful. I settle for loses only when it is futile to go for wins when learning to improve will get you to the promised land faster. This "learning to improve" part happened in Stevie's first year. After the devastating injuries, Mobley was given the green light to drive at will, so he could learn to be successful at finishing 101 different ways and learn to see the court from above the rim screaming through the lane. You can't learn that in practice, and it is futile to play ball movement with half your team injured. That season made Mobley better. In Stevie's second year, we did not settle for loses, injuries hurt us. Patience means sticking with the game plan through the bad times and make changes only in a controlled manner through the course of the season, hopefully adding changes onto success rather than making changes to plug holes. Changing things at the speed of ZRB's flip-flopping posts confuses teams and doesn't allow them to gain confidence in anything. If we wanted to settle for losses last year, we would have played Langhi much more. Seems like you were the one crying for losses last year to invest in learning.
Wow, I've become a simile now. Great. I'm flattered. ------------------ Protrolls.com! Soon to be ProPorn.com!
Heypartner, How dare you insult me like that? My posts don't flip-flop! ------------------ Protrolls.com! Soon to be ProPorn.com!
------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils. [This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited June 15, 2001).] [This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited June 17, 2001).]
------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils. [This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited June 15, 2001).] [This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited June 17, 2001).]
HP, How do you know by playing Langhi we would have lost? What is it they say about ASSUMING anything? DaDakota ------------------ If you like RTS games, check out this one. www.frontierwars.com coming soon to a PC near you.
What is everyone drinking? Is everyone having a bad week and looking for an avenue to release some anger? I guess everyone is pissed of knowing the Lakers are coming back next year even more confident. ------------------ Fuggetabout it
DaDakota, Langhi is a stupid player, and Fizer sucks like I told you. Rudy did not play the Triangle. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. No smilie necessary. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited June 16, 2001).]
Yep my feelings get hurt by someone making a pure judgement call, when their judgement is questionable in my eyes anyway, NOT !!! I guess that is why opinions are our own. Langhi and Fizer will both be very good NBA players. I am usually right....just look at the season prediction thread, as I nailed it right on this year, and missed it by a game last year. I know my stuff !!!!!!! DaDakota ------------------ If you like RTS games, check out this one. www.frontierwars.com coming soon to a PC near you.
well, if you are right about Langhi, then I get to change Crisco and Achebe's moniker. Why don't you join the SF vs PF bet, and join Smeggy and I? Fizer?? a poor man's Kenny Thomas.
