Prokorov wrote:This was an entertaining game for a preseason contest without Kyrie, Harden, KD, Lebron, etc.... Here were my thoughts:
1) Carter/Bembry are absolute DOGS. These guys IMO will have a bigger impact then guys like Milsap or Aldridge. They more then anyone add a dimension we did not have last year. Physical defensive guards that guard end to end and give opposing small ball handlers fits. There will be no more Sexton or Lavine going off no resistance. If this was the bulldog effort we got in preseason i cant wait for playoff intensity versions of those 2.
2) Brown hitting threes put a smile on my face. he said he was working on it this offseason. its 1 preseason game and three point shooting is about consistency over 82 games/150 attemps. so i wont knee jerk. but he shot those with confidence. If he can hit 34-35% or better he becomes much more valuable
3) Cam Thomas looked impressive. I put 0 stock in summer league, so I was excited for what i considered my first real look... playing with NBA players, against NBA players, with bigs on the floor. He looked as good as you could hope. Would like to curb some of the long step back 2's, but if he can get to the line like this like he did in college thats gonna be great. Like nash said, how the rotation shakes out is gonna be tough, we have so much scoring and mills/harris may also come off the bench and defenders should and will play. but im sure injury/rest will get him plenty of time over the year.
4) Sharpe didnt really play at a time or vs a lineup that made me able to really comment. he looked good for what id label preseason garbage minutes
5) Claxton looked good matched up multiple times with AD. it will be me bitching all year if he sits for LMA. This kid needs minutes. he is all-nba type defense right now
6) Milsap/Aldridge didnt look a step slower then i saw them last, which is encouraging at their age. I have 0 doubts Milsap will repace greens shooting at the 4
WELCOME BACK, PROK!
It's been awhile since your opinion and mine have been simpatico. I was not able to watch the game live (work), but in the replays I saw, Nic held his own defensively. He's still a fish out of water without a great playmaker to spoonfeed him scoring chances, but with James, we know he's nails.
I'm amped about Duke and especially Bembry. Wing stoppers are worth their weight in gold come the postseason.
I agree that Paul is a more positive contributor than Green, all due respect to Uncle Jeffy.
My only concern is, who do we cut/trade? Sekou has a weird game, and he's buried behind vets. But, you can't take anything away from him based on yesterday's game, he was relentless on both ends.
Some people really have a way with words. Other people... not... have... way.
-- Steve Martin
the added bonus is that Carter is actually a decent shooter from three, and Bembry has some decent ball handle and is a good cutter, so they won't be liabilities on offense (not that we need them to score).
