RealGM

So I've been one of the biggest proponents of trading all the vets and letting the young guys play, but after last night I think I've changed my mind. While I'd still love to see Al traded for a useful asset, I have to say I think it's a great incentive for Favors and Kanter to work on their game if they have to clearly outplay Jefferson and/or Paul to earn that starting spot. Just handing the starting spot to a young guy kinda removes the incentive on their part to put in that hard work. Just look at all the rookies handed starting roles that never develop (John Wall, McGee in D.C., Tristan Thompson, Tyreke etc). Sure they get better, but they don't add much to their game. It teaches the young guys you have to contribute in many areas besides scoring (or in Favors situation, besides defense) and you have to limit your mistakes.

As a bonus, it might mean we get to resign Favors at something below the Max.

Burks clearly needs more minutes however, but I don't think he has to start or anything.

Thoughts?

There's definitely something to what you're saying. Some young guys who teams just hand big minutes to definitely develop bad habits as a result.

On the flip side, players don't develop as much sitting on the bench as they would playing in games. Beyond that, I feel like you have to send young guys the message that you have confidence in them, that you're willing to let them work through their mistakes, that their hard work is paying off, and that, if they do earn minutes, they'll get those minutes. I don't think we do a great job of that. Actually, that's a huge understatement.

It's one thing to make Favors earn his minutes. It's another thing entirely not to increase his minutes at all for two straight years (assuming last night was indicative of how much he'll play this year), despite the fact that he's worked his tail off and that he's been beastly when given the chance to play a more prominent role.

Similarly, it's one thing to make Burks earn his minutes, but it's completely different to consistently play him behind guys who he's outperforming and have significantly less upside than him.

Burks can play his way into the rotation if Tinsley keep showing his age. Then you just slide Foye over to the 1.

It wasn't pretty watching Tinsley get outhustled and roughed up a bit by Collison and Boubios.

Paper Face wrote:Burks can play his way into the rotation if Tinsley keep showing his age. Then you just slide Foye over to the 1.

It wasn't pretty watching Tinsley get outhustled and roughed up a bit by Collison and Boubios.

This.

Neither Favors nor Kanter played like they deserved 30 mpg last night, in my opinion. In fact, although Al's defense is still suspect, I don't mind his role in the offense this year.

What surprised me, though, was the utter lack of playing time for Burks. Two minutes of garbage with Evans and Murphy. That had to be a slap on his face. I wonder if he has been doggin it in practice or workouts.

StocktonShorts wrote:

Paper Face wrote:Burks can play his way into the rotation if Tinsley keep showing his age. Then you just slide Foye over to the 1.

It wasn't pretty watching Tinsley get outhustled and roughed up a bit by Collison and Boubios.

This.

Agreed. Tinsley has lost a step defensively, it seems, and isn't capable of consistently pushing the ball on the offensive end.