Official Scottie All Star Barnes Thread 8

[brownbobcat]

Alright bud.

You are 100% right. Trading a guy that became an all-star in Lauri, a lottery pick in Agbaji, and every first rounder for 7 years is totally not a gamble. There was zero chance that could have turned out bad. It was actually risk free

You keep going back to these strawmen hoping no one will notice. "Not a big gamble" does not mean risk-free. They could've gotten every single one of those picks back if they had to trade Mitchell again. No one thought that highly of Markkanen and he likely never becomes an All Star in Cleveland as the third wheel in their big man rotation with the emergence of Mobley. A solid player, but you make that swap 10/10 times. Nobody ever profiled Agbaji as anything other than 3&D rotation player.

0% chance they could have traded Mitchell later and received back everything they gave up. 7 firsts, a guy just drafted at #14, and a solid piece in Markkanen?

Who is giving them all that right now if Mitchelle didn't re-up? NO ONE is the answer.

Definition of a gamble.

OK bud.

Picks for Mitchell: 4 FRP + 3 swaps
Picks for Bridges: 5 FRP + 1 swap

But sure, there was 0% chance Cleveland could have traded Mitchell for a haul if it didn't work out after a year. I mean, it's just a garbage return if you're not getting back an Ochai Agbaji-tier unicorn.

[YogurtProducer]

You keep going back to these strawmen hoping no one will notice. "Not a big gamble" does not mean risk-free. They could've gotten every single one of those picks back if they had to trade Mitchell again. No one thought that highly of Markkanen and he likely never becomes an All Star in Cleveland as the third wheel in their big man rotation with the emergence of Mobley. A solid player, but you make that swap 10/10 times. Nobody ever profiled Agbaji as anything other than 3&D rotation player.

0% chance they could have traded Mitchell later and received back everything they gave up. 7 firsts, a guy just drafted at #14, and a solid piece in Markkanen?

Who is giving them all that right now if Mitchelle didn't re-up? NO ONE is the answer.

Definition of a gamble.

OK bud.

Picks for Mitchell: 4 FRP + 3 swaps
Picks for Bridges: 5 FRP + 1 swap

But sure, there was 0% chance Cleveland could have traded Mitchell for a haul if it didn't work out after a year. I mean, it's just a garbage return if you're not getting back an Ochai Agbaji-tier unicorn.

Why are you constantly ignoring that it was 4 FRP, 3 swaps, a guy drafted 2 weeks prior, and Markkenen? Seems to me like ignoring the full deal is somewhat misleading, no?

Also misleading because Agabji is likely gonna be the highest drafted player in the entire deal (and Markkennen) Keep overrating that mystery box!!

You also completely ignore that a big reason Bridges was so expensive was because he was on a VERY cheap contract, and that it is commonly accepted Bridges was a huge overpay (and again, a decent risk, albeit less so because Knicks saw them selves as an immediate contender with him).

[brownbobcat]

Why are you constantly ignoring that it was 4 FRP, 3 swaps, a guy drafted 2 weeks prior, and Markkenen? Seems to me like ignoring the full deal is somewhat misleading, no?

Also misleading because Agabji is likely gonna be the highest drafted player in the entire deal (and Markkennen) Keep overrating that mystery box!!

I didn't ignore anything, it was addressed and set aside. Markkanen was viewed as a solid piece but nothing more since they had Allen and a foundational piece in Mobley. Their front court was set, they needed perimeter firepower. What I very specifically said was that they could at least recoup the picks, which is a totally acceptable risk for a player like Mitchell. Even if it all blew up, they still had their young core and 2 great pieces in Garland/Mobley.

There is risk in every move, but they gave up very little that couldn't be recouped. You've twisted yourself into knots trying to make this dumb bad-faith argument that you can't even decide if the mystery boxes are valuable or not. Who cares where Agbaji was drafted, who cares about him at all? You can find guys like him all day long. If your stance on trading for Mitchell is based on Agbaji's potential at the time, that's just embarrassing.

You also completely ignore that a big reason Bridges was so expensive was because he was on a VERY cheap contract, and that it is commonly accepted Bridges was a huge overpay (and again, a decent risk, albeit less so because Knicks saw them selves as an immediate contender with him).

Mitchell was also on a cheap contract relative to his production. Bridges is a role player, he's an OG-tier piece on a decent team.

But somehow it makes sense to you that a team would overpay for him and not Donovan Mitchell. Especially not the same NYK team that was forever rumoured as a landing spot.

OK, bud.

[links135]

One of my criticisms on Barnes is I think he takes a bit too long dribbling/backdown then gets in his turnaround jumper.

He needs to get to the point where it's almost instant the moment he touches the ball, don't give the defense time to react.

Jordan was always excellent about that. Very little extended dribbling except when he was burning clock or out in transition. Quick moves.

Also he's also going to need a counter to this move as well as it's probably going to become predictable the more he uses it, essentially fake the pivot, or pivot the opposite way.

If he's smooth with it, there isn't a lot they can do about it. But yeah, a reverse pivot, the up fake, an up-and-under, those are all natural progressions with time.

Chances are you'll compare him to guards that are way smaller. For guys his actual size (6"7 or taller) he's already 3rd in 8-16 shots per game behind Durant and Ingram.

So while yes, you'd be shocked to learn he'd be leading the league in makes in the paint per game 15 years ago(outside restricted zone). Even Jordan's last season, the only guy who made more was Shaq at 2.8.

Jordan himself only shot 43% from midrange that year but on 13 attempts per game, (to be fair he shot 49% the year before, first year of shooting stats)

Hell his 8-16 makes per game would be 7th in 97-98, except he's shooting 56% which is head and shoulders over anyone then. Not even close.

Even his crummy 3pt %, is basically the same EFG had Jordan 16-24. Just shows how much the game has changed where 3pt shots can override all that.

Better comparison to make is to Kawhi early on, where yes even with his fadeaways, he shot them faster before he was a big time scorer.

[tsherkin]

Chances are you'll compare him to guards that are way smaller. For guys his actual size (6"7 or taller) he's already 3rd in 8-16 shots per game behind Durant and Ingram.

So while yes, you'd be shocked to learn he'd be leading the league in makes in the paint per game 15 years ago(outside restricted zone). Even Jordan's last season, the only guy who made more was Shaq at 2.8.

Unclear where you're going with this. I wasn't criticizing him, nor comparing him to anyone. I was agreeing with the idea that he could use a couple fewer dribbles as he evolves his game, but agreed that he's doing a lot more of what we've been asking of him and doing it well.

Even his crummy 3pt %, is basically the same EFG had Jordan 16-24. Just shows how much the game has changed where 3pt shots can override all that.

In terms of raw eFG%, sure, but raw eFG% isn't very useful. It escapes a lot of things. Like consistency and the impact of the long rebound on possession control.

Regardless, that wasn't the point. The point was that we have something to talk about with his offensive game which allows us to look forward to future growth. He's starting to do what has been asked of him in some regards, and doing pretty well with it so far.

[Vampirate]

Chances are you'll compare him to guards that are way smaller. For guys his actual size (6"7 or taller) he's already 3rd in 8-16 shots per game behind Durant and Ingram.

So while yes, you'd be shocked to learn he'd be leading the league in makes in the paint per game 15 years ago(outside restricted zone). Even Jordan's last season, the only guy who made more was Shaq at 2.8.

Unclear where you're going with this. I wasn't criticizing him, nor comparing him to anyone. I was agreeing with the idea that he could use a couple fewer dribbles as he evolves his game, but agreed that he's doing a lot more of what we've been asking of him and doing it well.

Even his crummy 3pt %, is basically the same EFG had Jordan 16-24. Just shows how much the game has changed where 3pt shots can override all that.

In terms of raw eFG%, sure, but raw eFG% isn't very useful. It escapes a lot of things. Like consistency and the impact of the long rebound on possession control.

Regardless, that wasn't the point. The point was that we have something to talk about with his offensive game which allows us to look forward to future growth. He's starting to do what has been asked of him in some regards, and doing pretty well with it so far.

The big question now is from 10-16 feet what is the real Barnes?

.298?
.398?
.450?
.500?
.550?

[links135]

Chances are you'll compare him to guards that are way smaller. For guys his actual size (6"7 or taller) he's already 3rd in 8-16 shots per game behind Durant and Ingram.

So while yes, you'd be shocked to learn he'd be leading the league in makes in the paint per game 15 years ago(outside restricted zone). Even Jordan's last season, the only guy who made more was Shaq at 2.8.

Unclear where you're going with this. I wasn't criticizing him, nor comparing him to anyone. I was agreeing with the idea that he could use a couple fewer dribbles as he evolves his game, but agreed that he's doing a lot more of what we've been asking of him and doing it well.

Even his crummy 3pt %, is basically the same EFG had Jordan 16-24. Just shows how much the game has changed where 3pt shots can override all that.

In terms of raw eFG%, sure, but raw eFG% isn't very useful. It escapes a lot of things. Like consistency and the impact of the long rebound on possession control.

Regardless, that wasn't the point. The point was that we have something to talk about with his offensive game which allows us to look forward to future growth. He's starting to do what has been asked of him in some regards, and doing pretty well with it so far.

Basically how much the games changed where comparisons way back become muddy at best.

But yeah things like..... well his fadeaway game is really only since Demeber 1st. Very promising parts where trying to force inside wouldn't work, but he's still shooting the same amount at the rim, much better now, but now a potential end of clock option.

Yeah good discussion where even with a bunch of losses there's good things to look forward to.

[links135]

Chances are you'll compare him to guards that are way smaller. For guys his actual size (6"7 or taller) he's already 3rd in 8-16 shots per game behind Durant and Ingram.

So while yes, you'd be shocked to learn he'd be leading the league in makes in the paint per game 15 years ago(outside restricted zone). Even Jordan's last season, the only guy who made more was Shaq at 2.8.

Unclear where you're going with this. I wasn't criticizing him, nor comparing him to anyone. I was agreeing with the idea that he could use a couple fewer dribbles as he evolves his game, but agreed that he's doing a lot more of what we've been asking of him and doing it well.

Even his crummy 3pt %, is basically the same EFG had Jordan 16-24. Just shows how much the game has changed where 3pt shots can override all that.

In terms of raw eFG%, sure, but raw eFG% isn't very useful. It escapes a lot of things. Like consistency and the impact of the long rebound on possession control.

Regardless, that wasn't the point. The point was that we have something to talk about with his offensive game which allows us to look forward to future growth. He's
starting to do what has been asked of him in some regards, and doing pretty well with it so far.

The big question now is from 10-16 feet what is the real Barnes?

.298?
.398?
.450?
.500?
.550?

I would say .500. Teams will learn and gameplan, but that opens up other things. I'm also going by 8-16. He hasn't being doing it lately against **** teams too, been doing it to .600 teams. Which would be 6th best every night roughly lately.

We sit at 2nd toughest SOS so far, will only get easier especially towards the end of year. His attempts will likely go up as he gets comfortable, might get too cocky with it, at the same time as long as we're relatively healthy, it's harder to prevent those shots compared to a lineup of Mitchell Dick Walter Poeltl as a starting lineup, against commonly worse competition.

But we will see.

[tsherkin]

The big question now is from 10-16 feet what is the real Barnes?

.298?
.398?
.450?
.500?
.550?

Yeah, we'll have to see what happens and if things settle out, for sure.

But yeah things like..... well his fadeaway game is really only since Demeber 1st. Very promising parts where trying to force inside wouldn't work, but he's still shooting the same amount at the rim, much better now, but now a potential end of clock option.

Yeah good discussion where even with a bunch of losses there's good things to look forward to.

Yeah, it's nice to see. He's showing us some interesting things.

[YogurtProducer]

Why are you constantly ignoring that it was 4 FRP, 3 swaps, a guy drafted 2 weeks prior, and Markkenen? Seems to me like ignoring the full deal is somewhat misleading, no?

Also misleading because Agabji is likely gonna be the highest drafted player in the entire deal (and Markkennen) Keep overrating that mystery box!!

I didn't ignore anything, it was addressed and set aside. Markkanen was viewed as a solid piece but nothing more since they had Allen and a foundational piece in Mobley. Their front court was set, they needed perimeter firepower. What I very specifically said was that they could at least recoup the picks, which is a totally acceptable risk for a player like Mitchell. Even if it all blew up, they still had their young core and 2 great pieces in Garland/Mobley.

There is risk in every move, but they gave up very little that couldn't be recouped. You've twisted yourself into knots trying to make this dumb bad-faith argument that you can't even decide if the mystery boxes are valuable or not. Who cares where Agbaji was drafted, who cares about him at all? You can find guys like him all day long. If your stance on trading for Mitchell is based on Agbaji's potential at the time, that's just embarrassing.

You also completely ignore that a big reason Bridges was so expensive was because he was on a VERY cheap contract, and that it is commonly accepted Bridges was a huge overpay (and again, a decent risk, albeit less so because Knicks saw them selves as an immediate contender with him).

Mitchell was also on a cheap contract relative to his production. Bridges is a role player, he's an OG-tier piece on a decent team.

But somehow it makes sense to you that a team would overpay for him and not Donovan Mitchell. Especially not the same NYK team that was forever rumoured as a landing spot.

OK, bud.

As long as you continue to say giving up 8 years of draft assets and Lauri was "not a gamble" we have nothing to discuss.

brain-numbing arguement.

[Scase]

Getting back on topic, I'd like to see him incorporate/refine the power pivot - use that force to put defenders on their heels in the same way that Kawhi uses the face-up pushoff. He doesn't seem to have the flexibility to pull off a lot of counter-pivots like Kobe or Jokic, but his stride length should allow for a lot of separation on just the one move. Over the right, over the left, fakes in both directions.

That fake out on Mobley had him out of his shoes. We need to send this kid to Hakeems big man camp.

One of my criticisms on Barnes is I think he takes a bit too long dribbling/backdown then gets in his turnaround jumper.

He needs to get to the point where it's almost instant the moment he touches the ball, don't give the defense time to react.

Also he's also going to need a counter to this move as well as it's probably going to become predictable the more he uses it, essentially fake the pivot, or pivot the opposite way.

Well, that's why I have been preaching all season that he should be practising this, and not terrible pull up ATB 3's. He won't get quicker doing it once or twice a game, and he can develop his counters during the season with more practice. The fake out on Mobley is one of those counters, but you're right, he will need more.

This is and has always clearly been something he has shown proficiency in, not 3's, which is why I want this being the core of his game. He has the size to shoot over damn near anyone, and if he can get to good or even great from that range, he will be unstoppable.

[Vampirate]

That fake out on Mobley had him out of his shoes. We need to send this kid to Hakeems big man camp.

One of my criticisms on Barnes is I think he takes a bit too long dribbling/backdown then gets in his turnaround jumper.

He needs to get to the point where it's almost instant the moment he touches the ball, don't give the defense time to react.

Also he's also going to need a counter to this move as well as it's probably going to become predictable the more he uses it, essentially fake the pivot, or pivot the opposite way.

Well, that's why I have been preaching all season that he should be practising this, and not terrible pull up ATB 3's. He won't get quicker doing it once or twice a game, and he can develop his counters during the season with more practice. The fake out on Mobley is one of those counters, but you're right, he will need more.

This is and has always clearly been something he has shown proficiency in, not 3's, which is why I want this being the core of his game. He has the size to shoot over damn near anyone, and if he can get to good or even great from that range, he will be unstoppable.

No actually it's the same move, he was just doing the move cleanly then.

The move is essentially fake right, pivot left to a fade away, Mobley just fell for it.

As for the Pull Up 3s ABT, i'm worried now he's gone too much in the opposite direction.

He shouldn't be taking 50% of his shots from 3, however 10-15% of his 3s are too low. He's only averaging 2.4 threes a game the last 5 games and he actually needs to shoot the 3 more now.

My biggest gripe with him is he hasn't found a good balance yet.

Also his FTr is dropping which is not good.

[Scase]

One of my criticisms on Barnes is I think he takes a bit too long dribbling/backdown then gets in his turnaround jumper.

He needs to get to the point where it's almost instant the moment he touches the ball, don't give the defense time to react.

Also he's also going to need a counter to this move as well as it's probably going to become predictable the more he uses it, essentially fake the pivot, or pivot the opposite way.

Well, that's why I have been preaching all season that he should be practising this, and not terrible pull up ATB 3's. He won't get quicker doing it once or twice a game, and he can develop his counters during the season with more practice. The fake out on Mobley is one of those counters, but you're right, he will need more.

This is and has always clearly been something he has shown proficiency in, not 3's, which is why I want this being the core of his game. He has the size to shoot over damn near anyone, and if he can get to good or even great from that range, he will be unstoppable.

No actually it's the same move, he was just doing the move cleanly then.

The move is essentially fake right, pivot left to a fade away, Mobley just fell for it.

As for the Pull Up 3s ABT, i'm worried now he's gone too much in the opposite direction.

He shouldn't be taking 50% of his shots from 3, however 10-15% of his 3s are too low. He's only averaging 2.4 threes a game the last 5 games and he actually needs to shoot the 3 more now.

My biggest gripe with him is he hasn't found a good balance yet.

Also his FTr is dropping which is not good.

I disagree whole heartedly, he's shooting 41.2% from 3 those last 5 games, he absolutely should have lower volume, any time he starts picking up the volume his efficiency craters. Also I assume that was a typo since he's averaging 3.4/g not 2.4/g. Granted 5 games isn't really anything to make many conclusions off of lol.

As for the "same move", same as what? He's barely been taking shots like this all year and a decent bit of last year.

[brownbobcat]

As long as you continue to say giving up 8 years of draft assets and Lauri was "not a gamble" we have nothing to discuss.

brain-numbing arguement.

You're quoting yourself, not me.

I said "Not a big gamble". And it's funny how swaps that are never conveying suddenly grew into 8 years of picks

[HumbleRen]

As long as you continue to say giving up 8 years of draft assets and Lauri was "not a gamble" we have nothing to discuss.

brain-numbing arguement.

You're quoting yourself, not me.

I said "Not a big gamble". And it's funny how swaps that are never conveying suddenly grew into 8 years of picks

Poeltl trade was a bigger gamble.

[YogurtProducer]

As long as you continue to say giving up 8 years of draft assets and Lauri was "not a gamble" we have nothing to discuss.

brain-numbing arguement.

You're quoting yourself, not me.

I said "Not a big gamble". And it's funny how swaps that are never conveying suddenly grew into 8 years of picks

Considering we are talking about it being a gamble, if Mitchell bailed they easily could have conveyed

Mitchell’s contract is also up in 2027. For all we know those swaps in 2028/2030 (I think it is) could convey.

That’s the thing… there’s still 6 drafts left for Utah to get good picks. It’s still a gamble because the full details won’t be known for a half decade it’s no guarantee Cleveland is elite for 6 seasons.

[Vampirate]

Well, that's why I have been preaching all season that he should be practising this, and not terrible pull up ATB 3's. He won't get quicker doing it once or twice a game, and he can develop his counters during the season with more practice. The fake out on Mobley is one of those counters, but you're right, he will need more.

This is and has always clearly been something he has shown proficiency in, not 3's, which is why I want this being the core of his game. He has the size to shoot over damn near anyone, and if he can get to good or even great from that range, he will be unstoppable.

No actually it's the same move, he was just doing the move cleanly then.

The move is essentially fake right, pivot left to a fade away, Mobley just fell for it.

As for the Pull Up 3s ABT, i'm worried now he's gone too much in the opposite direction.

He shouldn't be taking 50% of his shots from 3, however 10-15% of his 3s are too low. He's only averaging 2.4 threes a game the last 5 games and he actually needs to shoot the 3 more now.

My biggest gripe with him is he hasn't found a good balance yet.

Also his FTr is dropping which is not good.

I disagree whole heartedly, he's shooting 41.2% from 3 those last 5 games, he absolutely should have lower volume, any time he starts picking up the volume his efficiency craters. Also I assume that was a typo since he's averaging 3.4/g not 2.4/g. Granted 5 games isn't really anything to make many conclusions off of lol.

As for the "same move", same as what? He's barely been taking shots like this all year and a decent bit of last year.

2.4 is his average FTs in the last 5 games....

As per his average 3 point shots a game, i'd say 25%-28% of his shots should be the 3. Given that he took 18 shots in the last 5 games, that'd pit him at about 4.6 attempts per game.

I'd be fine with the decrease IF if was getting to the FT line enough, but he's clearly not. (he needs to be consistently at 5 attempts per game tbh)

One of our biggest issues this season is both 3P attempted (2nd last) and 3P makes (dead last), we're not the worst percentage team but we straight up don't shoot enough. Opponents make 2.7 more 3 pointers than us.

Opponents also make 4.8 FTs more than us.....

We really need a drastic change to the starting lineup, Yak never takes them and if Barnes continues his pace that he's on in the last 5 games we're going to continuously be in a deficit. Not so bad now since we want to lose games, but something to think about moving forwards.


Edit: By same move, I mean he'll become predictable as it gets scouted, it's why he'll need variation on it eventually.

[brownbobcat]

Considering we are talking about it being a gamble, if Mitchell bailed they easily could have conveyed

Mitchell’s contract is also up in 2027. For all we know those swaps in 2028/2030 (I think it is) could convey.

That’s the thing… there’s still 6 drafts left for Utah to get good picks. It’s still a gamble because the full details won’t be known for a half decade it’s no guarantee Cleveland is elite for 6 seasons.

If they thought he was going to bail, then they could have traded him in 2023 or 2024. After double checking, the Cavs paid even less in future draft assets for Mitchell than NYK did for Bridges.
FRP: 2025, 2027 ,2029
Swaps: 2026, 2028

Oh wait, I forgot that Bridges is worth 5 FRPs + 1 swap but Mitchell is worthless after coming to Cleveland.

And 2027? After getting 5 very solid seasons of 50ish wins out of him? Yeah, what a disaster that will have been.

[Scase]

2.4 is his average FTs in the last 5 games....

As per his average 3 point shots a game, i'd say 25%-28% of his shots should be the 3. Given that he took 18 shots in the last 5 games, that'd pit him at about 4.6 attempts per game.

I'd be fine with the decrease IF if was getting to the FT line enough, but he's clearly not. (he needs to be consistently at 5 attempts per game tbh)

One of our biggest issues this season is both 3P attempted (2nd last) and 3P makes (dead last), we're not the worst percentage team but we straight up don't shoot enough. Opponents make 2.7 more 3 pointers than us.

Opponents also make 4.8 FTs more than us.....

We really need a drastic change to the starting lineup, Yak never takes them and if Barnes continues his pace that he's on in the last 5 games we're going to continuously be in a deficit. Not so bad now since we want to lose games, but something to think about moving forwards.


Edit: By same move, I mean he'll become predictable as it gets scouted, it's why he'll need variation on it eventually.

I'm confused here, you said :

He shouldn't be taking 50% of his shots from 3, however 10-15% of his 3s are too low. He's only averaging 2.4 threes a game the last 5 games and he actually needs to shoot the 3 more now.

Did you mean to say FTs? If so, sure I agree he should be trying to get to the line more, but he's not gonna do that parked out at the 3pt line. I've been saying all season, he needs to be working from the mid range and into the post more than the 3 point line. His shot diet is going in the opposite direction if you want him taking more FTs, but you've been also pretty staunch about him having a significant portion of his FGA being from 3, those are very contradictory.

Lastly, why does it matter if he's not getting to the line more, he stopped shooting as many 3's the last 5 games, and isn't getting to the line, yet he's at basically 61% TS%. He's literally taking more FGA than he did the rest of the season (16.4 vs 18) and he's WAYYYYYY more efficient 60.9% vs 53.6% TS%. That is cause for celebration, it's usually the opposite direction.

He's putting more pressure on the defence than before, he's a much better offensive option now, what reasoning is there to change that shot diet to a much less efficient one? Just to get him more 3PA and FTA? I've asked this before, why are we trying to jam a round peg into a square hole, just cause? It results in nothing but worse performance and likely hits to his confidence for no positive outcome.

You've mentioned that you want him to do these things, but you're not saying why, other than our 3PA/M as a team being really low. Why is it on Scottie to do that? Why not say IQ needs to take more, he is a 37%+ shooter and he's only taking 6 3PA/g, why should the guy who can barely scrape 30% from 3 be the one forcing those shots? It makes absolutely no sense, who cares if we shoot/make less 3's than the opposing team, if we win, we win. And if we aren't winning, the solution isn't getting one of the worst players on the team to try and bump those numbers up.

It sounds like you want to make him take less efficient shots, just to hit some quota, instead of playing well. I don't understand the reasoning at all.

[Vampirate]

I'm confused here, you said :

He shouldn't be taking 50% of his shots from 3, however 10-15% of his 3s are too low. He's only averaging 2.4 threes a game the last 5 games and he actually needs to shoot the 3 more now.

My bad, I just read the wrong column lol.

Did you mean to say FTs? If so, sure I agree he should be trying to get to the line more, but he's not gonna do that parked out at the 3pt line. I've been saying all season, he needs to be working from the mid range and into the post more than the 3 point line. His shot diet is going in the opposite direction if you want him taking more FTs, but you've been also pretty staunch about him having a significant portion of his FGA being from 3, those are very contradictory.

I don't want him to take 35% of his shots from 3 like he was doing earlier, but I would like over 20% though. What you consider a lot and what I consider a lot seems to be different.

Ideally that game against the Heat where he went 9/17 FG, 2/5 3P, 3/5 FT is the sweet spot imo. 23 points on 17 shots.

What I don't want is that Pels game where he took 23 shots, 12 threes, made 2, and it was clear it wasn't anywhere near his night from 3 but he kept chucking.

Lastly, why does it matter if he's not getting to the line more, he stopped shooting as many 3's the last 5 games, and isn't getting to the line, yet he's at basically 61% TS%. He's literally taking more FGA than he did the rest of the season (16.4 vs 18) and he's WAYYYYYY more efficient 60.9% vs 53.6% TS%. That is cause for celebration, it's usually the opposite direction.

These averages are really being carried mostly by his game against the Nets. where he scored 33 points on 18 shots.

Since that game,
it's 20 points on 19 shots,
21 points on 18 shots
18 points on 15 shots
and one of his better games, 24 points on 20 shots.

So really scoring wise 1 great game, 1 ok game and 3 meh games.

He's putting more pressure on the defence than before, he's a much better offensive option now, what reasoning is there to change that shot diet to a much less efficient one? Just to get him more 3PA and FTA? I've asked this before, why are we trying to jam a round peg into a square hole, just cause? It results in nothing but worse performance and likely hits to his confidence for no positive outcome.

Barnes earlier in the year was averaging 6FTs, what happened to that guy? Him getting to the FT line at least 5 times would be a game changer imo.

Also i've plenty acknowledged the middy in other threads, I just want it accentuated with other things like a better FTr and slightly higher 3 point attempts.

Again, don't want him at 35% like he was at earlier. He's capable at about 5 a night imo, 7 on a good day (if he's 3/7 on his 3), 3-4 attempts on a bad one. He just has to know when to let it fly and when it's time to go to the middy if he can't hit a 3 that night.

You've mentioned that you want him to do these things, but you're not saying why, other than our 3PA/M as a team being really low. Why is it on Scottie to do that? Why not say IQ needs to take more, he is a 37%+ shooter and he's only taking 6 3PA/g, why should the guy who can barely scrape 30% from 3 be the one forcing those shots? It makes absolutely no sense, who cares if we shoot/make less 3's than the opposing team, if we win, we win. And if we aren't winning, the solution isn't getting one of the worst players on the team to try and bump those numbers up.

I was making an observation. In order for this thing to work with Barnes, if his 3 point attempts are going to be low, we seriously need to change the starting lineup. Offensively it's too flawed. Yak basically has to go because offensively him and Barnes are redundant.

I'm more looking past this year.

As for your analogy, hopefully he fits the round hole in the future.

It sounds like you want to make him take less efficient shots, just to hit some quota, instead of playing well. I don't understand the reasoning at all.

I just want him to use some good judgement really. If his 3 is on, shoot more, if he's started the game 0-3 then it's probably best to go to the middy/get to the FT line.

Essentially play by ear.

Also the issue with him being a middy specialist mainly is he'd have to be one of the greatest mid range shooters ever to make up for a lack of 3 and a low FTr.