newyorker4ever wrote:30andoverclub wrote:cgf wrote:
I'm keeping an open mind, but I expect nothing from Hezonja & Mudiay beyond this year. They have high capholds, and I just don't see the light finally coming on for either one unless Fiz is a wizard...in which case it won't matter if sign a max cat or not lol
Oh yes, I agree it's unlikely, but Fizdale has a pretty great track record with development, Mudiay has been practicing with the team all summer, and it's a contract year for both. At worst, I hope they look decent enough that we can use one or both as an asset in a trade.
What is Fiz's great track record with development?
Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson and Mario Chalmers, and Hassan Whiteside in Miami.
As head coach with Memphis:
Throughout the year, Fizdale has used JaMychal Green as the Grizzlies’ Swiss-army knife. Some nights, he’s guarding guys like Karl-Anthony Towns or Anthony Davis. Then, the next night, he’ll be assigned to Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony...In addition to his defensive versatility, Green has developed a solid 3-point shot (37.9 percent). Given his outside-shooting abilities, he was able to either space the floor and spot up or fade behind the arc on screens.
2015-16: 46.5 FG%, 0.6 3PA, 33.3 3P%, 48.0 eFG%
2016-17: 50.0 FG%, 1.9 3PA, 37.9 3P%, 55.5 eFG%
After Fizdale was hired, he approached Marc Gasol and told him that he expected four 3-point attempts per game. That decision unlocked an entirely new dimension in Gasol’s game.
Gasol shot 38.8 percent from downtown, connecting on 104 of his 268 3-point attempts. It’s also played a huge part in his career year, as he averaged a career-high 19.5 points and made his third All-Star game.
2015-16: 0.1 3PA per game, 46.5 eFG%, 16.6 PPG
2016-17: 3.6 3PA per game, 38.8 3P%, 50.3 eFG%, 19.5 PPG
In Fizdale’s free-flowing offense, Conley was the main beneficiary in the transformation as he shattered career highs across the board. He averaged 20.5 points on 40.5 percent (171-for-419) shooting from downtown.
While he did have a spectacular regular season, he showed his true stardom in the playoffs, averaging 24.7 points on 44.7 percent from behind the arc and seven assists. After going toe-to-toe with Kawhi Leonard, he truly solidified his place as one of the league’s elite point guards.
2015-16: 42.2 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 3.8 3PA, 47.8 eFG%, 15.3 PPG
2016-17: 46.0 FG%, 40.8 3P%, 6.1 3PA, 54.5 eFG%, 20.5 PPG
Quote from Mike Conley after Fizdale was fired.
With Memphis, that was development of players aged 26, 29, and 32, and done in his first year as head coach. Mike Conley had his best year as a 10 year veteran! I'm excited to see what he can do with guys who are 23 and under and hopefully over the course of many years.