A Yea and a WTF for Brian Shaw

[ujirifan]

First, the plus.

"Although I want JaVale to be in that position and I'm going to continue to be patient with him in doing that, he has to earn the right to be on the floor at that time," Shaw said.

I don't agree with much of Shaw's plan to re-shape this team but if he stands firm on not playing McGee any more than Karl did if McGee can't show improvement, particularly on D, that is how it should be. If that is the case, it will be interesting to see what JoshBoy's reaction is.

Now the real head scratcher.

If I remember correctly, Shaw was hired before - and hopefully included in - the decision to re-sign Mozgov to a multi-year contract. I don't know what Shaw's opinion of Mozzy's defensive ability is but if he considers that Hickson, right now, is the best defensive center on the team, the Nugz are in a world of hurt.

Here is a quote last April from the Portland GM.

"For us to make a jump next season, J.J. can't be our starting center,'' Olshey said, referencing the Blazers' 47.4 points allowed in the paint per game, an NBA high. "I'm not saying he can't be part of the roster. But we need to find a starting-caliber center who protects the rim and gets defensive rebounds at a high rate and that has a presence. And we have to do a better job at defending the paint. So you have to ask: Is it likely there is enough minutes to commit the kind of dollars J.J. will command, when clearly there are other positions that need to be upgraded? Probably not.''

And, yes, I understand that only 1 game has been played so far. That has nothing to do with either of the above quotes.

[pickaxe]

I'm all for any of our Center-capable players stepping up and doing it right. JaVale has got to be the one guy that breaks out of that pack though. "Not in my house"

He awakens after hitting a couple of dunks currently...he just needs to get that other level before he hits the floor. Get the same feeling from playing solid defense.

[ujirifan]

Time will tell.

I just hope it isn't the entire season. Even more so, I hope if Shaw gives up on McGee - and doesn't get fired for it - that Mozgov is given a true shot at starting rather than giving it to Hickson.

[willywazza]

Hickson? Defense?

Oxymoronic...