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Maybe i am overreacting, but since Barnes return i dont like the offense thats beeing played.
I liked Gradey's aggressiveness, i liked the PnR with Poeltl, i liked RJ as a facilitor and i liked how everyone else blended into that offense. The offense was much more free flowing.

But now, the PnR with Poeltl barely exists or only as a cope out when someone drives themselves into a corner.
RJ doesnt have the ball enough times to initiate plays outside of scoring for himself.
The Starters simply arent meshing all to well right now.

It kinda is frustrating to see them play toe to toe with Boston, but arent capable of putting away the Pistons who dont even had Cade.


My unpopular opinion is, to let the offense go more Through RJ and commit more to a free flowing game like they already did.
Use Poeltl more as a hub again, why it was reduced the last 2 games isnt understandable in the first place.
I rather have Scottie play off-ball with off-ball movement and getting the Ball in his sweetspots. He still can make the extra pass from there and create opportunities for others or score from a good position.

But as i said, maybe i am overreacting and they need time to reintegrate Scottie until it works well again.

It just didnt feel right the last 2 games, unlike the games before that.

I think you have to give it at least 20 games before drawing anything conclusive. Scottie’s been in out of the lineup basically since Siakam was traded so there hasn’t really been a period where he could play games consistently and develop a feel with his teammates.

That said, I agree with you assessment on the early results so far. Poeltl, RJ, Dick, Agbaji seemed to have great chemistry together….quick decisions, slashing, cutting, ball movement, etc. The Barnes addition seems to be slowing the offense quite a bit and changing the style of play. It’s up to Darko and even the higher ups to figure out how to use him long term.

Let's get Dick and IQ back healthy and trade Boucher, Barrett, Brown and Davion and see what we have.

Barnes was much quicker making decisions last game vs the other 2. I think people just don't realize that things take time when adding back in a big piece.

Oh, and it will happen again with IQ when he comes back.

RJ should have less responsibilities on offense. Not more. He's better and more efficient when game/role is simplified.

If these guys were as good as you say, the record wouldn't be what it is.

Building chemistry on court takes time, we barely get BBQ playing together.

jeez christ man

Psubs wrote:Let's get Dick and IQ back healthy and trade Boucher, Barrett, Brown and Davion and see what we have.

RJ having the ball in his hands less is a good thing.

Why am I not surprised to see him suggesting more RJ and Jak is what we should do

I miss when people would just post their thoughts without having to say "Unpopular Opinion" before everything

I was listening to Matt Bonner on the Raps show and I think it was him who talked about the unique potential of having Scottie as a primary offensive hub, but that having RJ on the opposite wing or elbow as a secondary hub when teams overload Scottie's options. We saw RJ carry P&Rs and deliver some impressive passes while Scottie was out, I think they just need time (along with Darko) to optimize primary and secondary actions in their sets.

The halfcourt also looks like a mess right now because the Raps two best ATB shooters are out (I'm gonna start including Battle with Gradey and IQ if he keeps it up), which really limits how many of these possessions can end.

But yeah you can't abandon Scottie in the Draymond/M.Gasol role, it's too big a weapon. They just need time to find their balance imo.

Ultimately long term Scottie is the hub so might as well get him up to speed. RJ’s long term role will ultimately be predicated on who we draft. I just don’t think he’s your second best player ideally. Third, sure he’s on that path I think.

Basketball_Jones wrote:Ultimately long term Scottie is the hub so might as well get him up to speed. RJ’s long term role will ultimately be predicated on who we draft. I just don’t think he’s your second best player ideally. Third, sure he’s on that path I think.

I think 3rd and 4th would be either Dick or IQ. Need a 1 or 2 on par or better than Scottie to be championship caliber.

bape_lovers wrote:jeez christ man

Psubs wrote:Let's get Dick and IQ back healthy and trade Boucher, Barrett, Brown and Davion and see what we have.

They are like Delon, Ross, JV, CJ Miles, Demar, etc.

Psubs wrote:

Basketball_Jones wrote:Ultimately long term Scottie is the hub so might as well get him up to speed. RJ’s long term role will ultimately be predicated on who we draft. I just don’t think he’s your second best player ideally. Third, sure he’s on that path I think.

I think 3rd and 4th would be either Dick or IQ. Need a 1 or 2 on par or better than Scottie to be championship caliber.

Hate to admit, but definitely one better than Scottie is currently.

KrazyP wrote:I think you have to give it at least 20 games before drawing anything conclusive. Scottie’s been in out of the lineup basically since Siakam was traded so there hasn’t really been a period where he could play games consistently and develop a feel with his teammates.

That said, I agree with you assessment on the early results so far. Poeltl, RJ, Dick, Agbaji seemed to have great chemistry together….quick decisions, slashing, cutting, ball movement, etc. The Barnes addition seems to be slowing the offense quite a bit and changing the style of play. It’s up to Darko and even the higher ups to figure out how to use him long term.

This. The offence looked like dogshite for a long time before when Scottie was out, now it has to readjust. It will need to readjust again when IQ comes back. This is all good for the tank season.

Why not have RJ and Barnes clear out for Mitchell to work? Alternatively run everything through Fernando, Mogbo and Boucher. In all honestly, from I've seen from Barnes he doesn't guys keys cutting in from of him. He's always pointing guys back into the corners. He has a hard enough time not running into Poeltl in front of the rim of his drives.

Rj still had plenty of primary ball handler looks. I'd give it a few more games for them to reintegrate Barnes with the current players.

Scottie and Yak on the floor at the same time is tough to watch. Maybe things will improve when we get some shooters back in the lineup.

Raps in 4 wrote:Scottie and Yak on the floor at the same time is tough to watch. Maybe things will improve when we get some shooters back in the lineup.

Elaborate on getting some shooters back?
Who are you replacing from the starting lineup for shooter outside of Mitchell?

We pretty much know the lack of spacing since last year with Barnes and Poeltl.