RealGM

Does Monta has what it takes to be a NBA starting PG?
Is he ready to be one now? or
He simply isn't meant to play point

If we lost baron, do we need to sign a PG or we can just start Monta at (1)?

He brings the ball up for Baron to post up or do a cross over and drive/pull up. So no, he is not ready and never will be.

Though I think we need to move Baron this offseason, I don't think we should rely on Monta as our full time point guard.

And as I've read the back and forth about this issue over the season, it sometimes appears as though people have some fundamental differences of opinion about what it means to "play point guard".

The argument that Monta needs to play point because he's small doesn't change the fact that he won't do all that a pg can do for a team.

Monta can certainly bring the ball up the court, get the team into the offense, and can sometimes find the open man. And if that's all you believe a point guard is supposed to do, then yes, I think Monta can play point guard.

But I suppose I'm looking for more than that from a starting point guard. And that doesn't mean he can't play point. It just means that I would not rely on him solely as a pg. If we move forward with him as point, then we need to surround him with playmakers at other positions to make it work.

People tend to scoff at the notion of a "true" or "pure" point guard because there are so many ways to play the position effectively. But when you look at the Nash, Kidd, Paul type point guards and to some extent Deron Williams, they have the ability to control the game. Ditto for retired guys like Stockton, Magic, and (even) Isaiah. It's not just about handling the ball and making the assists, but even knowing when to make the pass that will lead to the assist. Knowing how to manipulate the defender/defense to create openings for teammates by driving, changing pace, or changing direction. Knowing where to place the ball to put your man in the best position to score. Though I hate to resort to using Ol' Chuck for support, this is the point Barkley so frequently makes about Andre Miller -- he has great point guard skills, but he doesn't have great point guard instincts.

Monta has not yet demonstrated those intangibles and those are qualities that players can demonstrate without major minutes. This could be a function of Nellie-ball, but so often it almost seems like Monta is only distributing the ball when he can't find a way to score. He's a scorer and he will thrive best in a situation where he can focus primarily on scoring.

If Monta is to play point, then I think we need to surround him with players who have some of the instincts he lacks. In fact, as a point guard, I think Monta would thrive in situations similar to what Mike Bibby has found himself in. Bibby has the ability to get the ball up court, initiate the offense, and find the open man...and be a solid scoring threat. But part of the reason he did so well in Sacramento was that he was surrounded by players who had outstanding court vision and passing skills -- Webber, Divac, and even Christie. Then off the bench, they had Bobby Jackson who could play a few minutes at point when necessary. Now in ATL, Bibby has Joe Johnson next to him who has good ball handling and passing skills. This is not to take away from Bibby's playmaking skills, but it allowed Bibby to play to his strengths while still allowing the team's offense to flow. He's never been a big assist man (on a competitive team).

If Monta is going to succeed as a point guard, I think he needs a similar team around him to take some of the playmaking pressure off him. That Kings team was obviously special, but I think we need to think about building around Monta with similar players. Wright and Biedrins obviously are that, if we want Monta as point, we need a strong pass first backup and a 2 and 3 who have some of those PG instincts.

In due time my lady...

Excellent post GSW2K4. I think you are absolutely right.

Monta needs to play with a gaurd who can knock down the open J


Baron without the ball is a hoops nightmare come true


We have to find a gaurd who can shoot the 3, dribble, pass and defend...Belinelli might be able to handle 3 out of those 4..That's not bad..Of course Beli gives you .0002 rebounds per...
Azubuike could gives us 1 or the 4....We should sign him starting at 5 million per (right Laki?)

Preferable a BIG guard who can hit the J.

I like your list (shoot, dribble, pass, defend). On my list, defend is there 3 times, because I think it's as important as the other three combined.

umm, we have MP ....hey abyss how about a back court of monta and pete?

toffee wrote:umm, we have MP ....hey abyss how about a back court of monta and pete?

How about I kick you in your twisted snatch?

Mike Miller is the perfect fit with Monta. M&M is PG like SG (unlike SJax) who loves to rebound as well. And is a real 3 pt specialist.

Can we somehow get M&M and Warrick for Baron some how? Get them our first too for all I care. <I know, pipe dream>

marthafokker wrote:Mike Miller is the perfect fit with Monta. M&M is PG like SG (unlike SJax) who loves to rebound as well. And is a real 3 pt specialist.

Can we somehow get M&M and Warrick for Baron some how? Get them our first too for all I care. <I know, pipe dream>

How's M&M's defense skill?

Sid the Squid wrote:Monta needs to play with a gaurd who can knock down the open J


Baron without the ball is a hoops nightmare come true


We have to find a gaurd who can shoot the 3, dribble, pass and defend...Belinelli might be able to handle 3 out of those 4..That's not bad..Of course Beli gives you .0002 rebounds per...
Azubuike could gives us 1 or the 4....We should sign him starting at 5 million per (right Laki?)

It seems that not only can you not spell "guard" correctly, but you also lack other literacy skills. I said we should sign Buki up to a maximum of under 4 million per year. And for the record he does 2 of those 4 things better than Monta. Way better.

toffee wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



How's M&M's defense skill?

Same level as Baron!

Really, when was the last time the Dubbs played REAL defense. And the not the gimmick one that Nellie calls defense.

M&M has his weakness like most Warriors. Some of us Dubbs fans think we cannot trade unless we get LeBron or Kobe back with our team of flawed players.

why is everyone so focused on a position.

montas best asset is his scoring touch. not his passing ability. play to his strength. let him score. hes a natural gifted scorer. let him do what he does best. teams would rather him pass than score.

Scorers are a dime a dozen and can be found on every team..Talented Scorers/passers win championships.

Sid the Squid wrote:Scorers are a dime a dozen and can be found on every team..Talented Scorers/passers win championships.

you are probably right...and those scorers/passers are naturals at it. Monta doesnt have that passing 6th sense and i dont think he can get it. i dont want Monta thinking about the game, i want him just to go out there and let instincts take over.

(thats why id give Biedrins more money than Monta)

Basketball players are born, not made Sid... jeez... haven't you ever seen that Michael Jordan commercial?

510Reggae wrote:Basketball players are born, not made Sid... jeez... haven't you ever seen that Michael Jordan commercial?

So Monta not the right guy for you now? We know he was not born as a pg, but an undersized sg (even in HS).

GSWhoopfan wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



you are probably right...and those scorers/passers are naturals at it. Monta doesnt have that passing 6th sense and i dont think he can get it. i dont want Monta thinking about the game, i want him just to go out there and let instincts take over.

(thats why id give Biedrins more money than Monta)

Theres a reason Dajuan Wagner is not in the nba anymore, and his irritable bowels has little to do with it.

Id prefer Monta not be a one trick pony... he is a smart basketball player and if tony parker can learn how to pass.. monta can learn how to pass too.

and last i checked tony parker had 3 rings on his finger

gsw510 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Theres a reason Dajuan Wagner is not in the nba anymore, and his irritable bowels has little to do with it.

Id prefer Monta not be a one trick pony... he is a smart basketball player and if tony parker can learn how to pass.. monta can learn how to pass too.

and last i checked tony parker had 3 rings on his finger

I agree... most of it. That is why I want Pop to give Monta the TP treatment every time he stands around looking stupid while his shooting is camping at the 3 point line.

But I disagree as to how TP won 3 championship. His name starts with Tim and last name ends in Duncan. Monta has chuckers as his running mates. Not fair comparisons though.