Post#86 » by davoarid » Sun Dec 20, 2020 6:18 am
Long-time lurker here, first post, a few of my quick takeaways from the 3 preseason games:
1) MPJ should definitely be starting over Barton, not just because he's a better player, but because Barton's skillset seems uniquely suited to the 6th man role: so often last year when our starters went out our bench was left with a bunch of guys who couldn't create a shot off the dribble (or were scared to try). Definitely not a problem with Barton! Put him in the backcourt with Morris and Campazzo and give him the "you're Kobe Bryant on this group, shoot as much as you want" treatment. (Similar to the way that the Jazz used Jordan Clarkson against us in the playoffs.)
2) I have watched basketball for a long time and I'm not sure I've ever seen a player make such consistently terrible decisions with the ball as Bol Bol does. I don't know how much of it is an ego thing and how much of it is a lack of experience, but oh my God every time he shoots he's missing an obvious pass to an open player, and every time he passes he misses an open lane to the hoop. It's so maddening! I don't want to see him playing non-garbage-time minutes this year.
3) Echoing all the Zeke Nnaji love. How the hell did a guy like that slip to the second round? Really great all-around game. I'm sure Malone will give him time to develop, but I'm excited to see what he can do now. Ditto with PJ Dozier--if that 3-point shot is for real, he's a starting-caliber player right now.
4) That said, much less enthused with RJ Hampton, who gives me major "top scorer on a G League team" vibes.
5) Backup center: didn't really see enough from Cancar to get an opinion on him, but it looks like Malone has settled on Hartenstein, and that's fine by me. Defense is a lot worse than Plumlee, but he can actually do things with the ball in his hands, so, about a wash.
All that said.....I mean, I'm sure I'm biased because we just had back to back blowout wins, but our bench (whatever form it takes) seems like it's going to be incredible this year--a major strength, after it was pretty lousy last year (after the Beasley/Juancho trade). We look to have quality players going 10-11 deep, which is a good problem to have! Very excited to see how it all plays out--and to follow along with you guys.