jason bourne wrote:Mylie10 wrote:I don't know if Kerr will start Barnes or Iggy in the starting lineup....but I know he SHOULD start Iguodala as last year proved that Barnes made it worse when Iggy was injured.
If they struggle after a few real games, then maybe mix it up and bring Iguodala off the bench....I don't get the rush to change what's working.
Didn't know you were such an Iggy fan. One of his strengths is passing so it behooves to maximize that with Livingston down. You guys talked about DeMarre Carroll and he can provide more points, 3s and better FT% with skosh less TOs. What he can't do is dish out the dimes like Iggy. If Livingston can play a lot of minutes like Jack a couple years ago, then that would take some of the pressure of Iggy.
Someone who would be an excellent trade for Iggy would be Nicolas Batum. Obviously, POR isn't going to trade him for Iggy straight up since Batum is young. Iggy is unique in that he can provide PG dimes and steals and yet block shots. He's weak in scoring and FT% of course.
I'm actually not a so-called Iguodala fan. I'm a fan of basketball and I appreciate Iguodala putting things aside to do the other things that are really evident out there. I love guys who sacrifice for team over individual stats. Iguodala and Bogut have both stated that Steph and Klay should be taking shots, that maybe on lesser teams Bog's and Iggy would take. Some people lament about Iguodala's points per game, like that really means anything. What it means is that he recognizes that other shoot the ball better and our better options. Thats smart basketball.
And looking at all the plus minus and impact stats state that Iguodala is one of the best in the league, I can't just ignore that, because when Barnes took over for Iguodala in the starting lineup, all those numbers tanked. Its clear evidence and I can't and won't ignore it.
I always claim like I'm right, but when i'm wrong and evidence hits me in the face, I think its improtant to adjust my way of thinking. In this case I couldn't, nor would I want to, stick to a force Barnes in the lineup at every opportunity, when the evidence doesn't support it.
I don't however think Barnes is a lost cause, I see actually tangible pieces of some change, that should help his game. One of them is the use of the left hand. Towards the end of last year, he started using it more and it seems like its really helping his finishing. I also see a bit more of a patience to his offense, although in the first quarter yesterday he was a bit out of control and made some bad decisions passing. Maybe it was because he was starting at home on an Iguodala bobblehead night, lol.
My hope is that they all stay healthy and we cut down on the damn turnovers. We do that and continue to rebound as a team and then I think we win the Pacific division, and its on.