2022-23 Preseason General Notes and Thoughts (Law Murray mailbag article)

[TrueLAfan]

Thought I'd post about Law Murray's great new mailbag piece in The Athletic yesterday, covering the growing PG13/Wall chemistry (which really sounds like it’s a thing), the Clippers/Raptors scrimmage-y type games at UCLA a week or so ago, and Mook. Good preseason info!

Among the other stuff—Preston apparently played pretty well as an off guard when in the lineup alongside Wall. Diabete’s motor and use of his physical skills remained/remains great—he’s a project, but one where you can see the upside emerging. Murray also speculates that Powell will be a sixth man of the year candidate, which I agree with; I can see him getting Lou Williams type minutes and scoring.

Morris is the focus of the beginning of the article. Murray is a fan and notes that he plays well alongside of Kawhi and PG. I don’t know they’ve all been on the court together long enough to draw that conclusion, but whatever. It is reassuring to note that Marcus had knee/injury problems that dealt with in the previous two summers, while this summer has been much better from that standpoint. He’s apparently ready to go.

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[madmaxmedia]

Definitely some good stuff in there.

I think Wall's floor is higher now than when we first signed him and were speculating about his physical conditioning and ability. He doesn't look like he's 26 again or anything, but Murray seems to have gotten a pretty good look at him and expects Wall to take the starting PG spot away from Reggie at some point.

I think Diabate could get spot minutes here and there as purely an energy and defense guy to end some quarters- hopefully.

It would be nice to get a really healthy Morris this season. I mean we all know what we have with him, but maybe he'll appear at least a little quicker on defense. He is the first choice in a trade to balance our roster, but would be stupid to give him up for nothing because he's still a really solid vet.

[nickhx2]

marcus morris about to average a career high 3 rebounds per game with the clippers?

sign me up




just kidding, that's a joke, trade him, for christ's sake

[Ballings7]

I think Lue will be forced to play Diabate in small-ball scenarios and off of experiments during the season.. as well as when there's foul trouble for main bigs.

Will be a nice small ball big at times, in the least. His energy, defensive focus and effort, and finishing skills will be more and more valuable as he gets time.

Going to watch out for him in games vs the Warriors, Raptors, Miami, Mavs, etc.

I've always liked Morris' game since Boston.. he is more often than not a reliable scorer, and as a pick-me-up scorer (when someone gets doubled or trapped) in areas of the floor that are not "easy", over the whole game. His defense hopefully gets back to what it was known to be, and more consistent.

Is he a surplus on the team with primarily being a big scorer? Fairly so, and is the most expendable with the least "loss" of ability and skill-balance shift on the team, for trade value. But I don't mind him on the team at all if he sticks around.