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And the only way that happens is if we add defensive minded players this offseason. Whether it be the draft or free agency, we can't go on with this roster.

We have gotten close against Detroit today only to give up open shot after open shot so we could never pull closer.

You can always say that players can get better defensively but that doesn't happen without bringing in defensive players to help our worse defenders get better.

Do you agree that adding a defensive big and some long defenders on the wing is this teams biggest need? Or do you refuse the fact that we have needs since we are still a rebuilding team?(Some people seem to believe this)

True but one of the single biggest things is that we need to do better on the defensive boards.

when will Irving know how to defence pick & roll

This thread is going to tie into a thread that I've been wanting to make for weeks but I never did.

WILL KYRIE EVER BE A GOOD DEFENDER?

As just an unbiased basketball fan. I say I think he's gonna have Melo Syndrome. Both are not stunning athletes. I don't think either one will be good defenders in their career.

HOWEVER. It's not the end of the world if he ends up not being one. You can win in the NBA with your star being a one way player.

But then again, Bruce Bowen wasn't that stunning of an athlete either or Raja Bell.

What do you guys think???

I think he'll figure it out since he's only half way through his first full season.

We went through this before with LeBron too. He was pretty awful defensively for his first several season. Now, granted Kyrie isnt the level of athlete that LeBron was, but if LeBron can go from awful to one of the best I see no reason why Kyrie cant improve as well.

I think Kyrie needs to become a good team defender, because to be honest, he's not gonna shut down Rose, Westbrook, or any of these freak athlete guards and no one really can.

Having a long, athletic SF to guard the opposing team's best perimeter player would do wonders for us right now... plus it would put Gee back on the bench.

B Mac wrote:We went through this before with LeBron too. He was pretty awful defensively for his first several season. Now, granted Kyrie isnt the level of athlete that LeBron was, but if LeBron can go from awful to one of the best I see no reason why Kyrie cant improve as well.

I agree and here's a question for everyone; How much did Mike Brown have to do with helping LeBron become a better defender? Is it all on the player? I have no problems with Coach Scott, but throwing this out there, can he help Kyrie get there?

With respect to coaching defense I hold MB in high regard.

Instead of holding out hope for LeBron that probably won't happen, wouldn't Josh Smith fix a lot of our ills?

Harper4Ferry? wrote:Instead of holding out hope for LeBron that probably won't happen, wouldn't Josh Smith fix a lot of our ills?

He doesn't play C or SF

defence needs effort & experience

Seriously, who's holding out hope for LeBron? I just don't think he's ever coming back here, that doesn't really change any plans we have however. We will still try for a max free agent in 2014.

Josh Smith would make this team better but would not do anything to help us get to the goal of a championship. I don't think he'll ever win a championship.

If Josh Smith was a SF, I would be all for signing him. What we need is a Luol Deng type player, but preferably a few years younger.

mcfly1204 wrote:If Josh Smith was a SF, I would be all for signing him. What we need is a Luol Deng type player, but preferably a few years younger.

We could have drafted Harrison Barnes, hes a few years younger. Hopefully we can address it this offseason.

BTW what is wrong with Gee these days? He's not playing that well.

I was never a fan of Barnes, all the talent in the world but way too tentative. Even GSW is having exactly that issue with him. If we were to have taken someone it should have been Drummond.

Josh Smith is the exact opposite of what we need. He's a physical beast but pulls up in transition for 16 footers.

He has no BBIQ and would just be a volume scorer, we don't need a PF that shoots 45%.

oden is the answer

It's going to be a long while before we get to see Oden on the floor. So I wouldn't count or rely on it too much at this point.

I wouldnt count on us signing Oden just yet.