GT: Feb 26th Charlotte Vs LA Clippers 10:30pm

[SWedd523]

If anything, Tyrus and Gordon are humiliating themselves. It's not like Dunlap is going out of his way to target them with his ire. They've done everything on their own accord and have finally met a guy who will call them on being lazy and selfish bad apples. Actions (or the lack thereof) have consequences.


Don't want to be "humiliated"? Start acting like a professional.

[countryboi]

I think we need to force feed MKG. he has some games where he likes to coast though them and thats just not acceptable

[advanced]

I think we need to force feed MKG. he has some games where he likes to coast though them and thats just not acceptable

We aren't going to get anywhere trying to force MKG to be who we wish he was. Doesn't work. See Boris Diaw.

"It is what it is" - John Fox

[fatlever]

we dont need to force feed him, but we need to put him in spots on the floor that are beneficial to his game. kemba, sessions and to a lesser extent, dunlap need to also have more awareness when mkg his not involved. the point guards need to make a point to get him a shot or two to get him going or dunlap needs to call a play designed to get mkg a shot.

last night was a bit strange to start the game because hendo started 5-for-5, so it made sense to ride the hot hand, which probably came at the expense of mkg getting a look or two during that time.

[catch20two]

If I'm not mistaken I remember Dunlap in the preseason or early season saying something to the means like not running plays for MKG because he's a connector that play off instinct or something like that. I already knew it was going to be a long season for MKG under Dunlap once I read that.

[Bassman]

that being said, its about time rick starting writing some critical pieces about the team. the cats have gotten off way too easy in the media. i dont always agree with the guys ricks seems to favor or not favor, but i am happy to see he called a few people out including the coach.

Agree Fats. Frankly, this board goes way too easy on this team, especially MKG and Biz. I think Hyphen has either been exposed...or he is in total confidence meltdown...maybe a little of both. Biz has shown some improvement through his hard work, but if the talent and skillset isn't there, it just isn't there. Nobody playing at the YMCA can just work hard enough, or learn enough, to become an NBA player. Biz has enough ability to be a player, no doubt, but his acceleration curve is far too slow to project the greatness many ascribe to him here. Kemba has his issues too, and despite his improvement, he will never be a first-tier PG (too short to defend well, shot is too inconsistent).

[Stun704]

that being said, its about time rick starting writing some critical pieces about the team. the cats have gotten off way too easy in the media. i dont always agree with the guys ricks seems to favor or not favor, but i am happy to see he called a few people out including the coach.

Agree Fats. Frankly, this board goes way too easy on this team, especially MKG and Biz. I think Hyphen has either been exposed...or he is in total confidence meltdown...maybe a little of both. Biz has shown some improvement through his hard work, but if the talent and skillset isn't there, it just isn't there. Nobody playing at the YMCA can just work hard enough, or learn enough, to become an NBA player. Biz has enough ability to be a player, no doubt, but his acceleration curve is far too slow to project the greatness many ascribe to him here. Kemba has his issues too, and despite his improvement, he will never be a first-tier PG (too short to defend well, shot is too inconsistent).

About Biz - you realize bigmen take way longer to develop right? Only if the lakers gave up on Bynum after his second season they would have never gotten howard via trade..

Kemba is an excellent defender for his size, hes a better defender then Sessions and Kyrie Irving who both have protoypical PG height. if you're going to use that falacy that Kemba can't be a good defender because of his height, then theres no reason why CP3 (who his same height) shouldn't be a great defender(leads the league in steals) Kemba has already improved his shot percentage immensely. theres no reason why he can't become a first tier PG he already may be a top 10 PG... I can't name 10 PG's i'd rather have then Kemba

[og15]

that being said, its about time rick starting writing some critical pieces about the team. the cats have gotten off way too easy in the media. i dont always agree with the guys ricks seems to favor or not favor, but i am happy to see he called a few people out including the coach.

Agree Fats. Frankly, this board goes way too easy on this team, especially MKG and Biz. I think Hyphen has either been exposed...or he is in total confidence meltdown...maybe a little of both. Biz has shown some improvement through his hard work, but if the talent and skillset isn't there, it just isn't there. Nobody playing at the YMCA can just work hard enough, or learn enough, to become an NBA player. Biz has enough ability to be a player, no doubt, but his acceleration curve is far too slow to project the greatness many ascribe to him here. Kemba has his issues too, and despite his improvement, he will never be a first-tier PG (too short to defend well, shot is too inconsistent).

About Biz - you realize bigmen take way longer to develop right? Only if the lakers gave up on Bynum after his second season they would have never gotten howard via trade..

Kemba is an excellent defender for his size, hes a better defender then Sessions and Kyrie Irving who both have protoypical PG height. if you're going to use that falacy that Kemba can't be a good defender because of his height, then theres no reason why CP3 (who his same height) shouldn't be a great defender(leads the league in steals) Kemba has already improved his shot percentage immensely. theres no reason why he can't become a first tier PG he already may be a top 10 PG... I can't name 10 PG's i'd rather have then Kemba

Generally bigs development is more about learning to not foul, be in proposer position and reduce turnovers. Of course if they can't shoot, then they might need to learn things like that. Bynum averaged 7.8 pts, 55.8% FG, 66.8% FT, 5.9 rebs, 1.0 assist, and 1.6 blks in 21.9 mins at 19 years old. That's 12.8 pts, 9.7 rebs, 1.9 assists and 2.6 blks per 36 with his issue being 5.0 fouls/36.

There was a HUGE difference in his statistical production from his rookie year to his sophomore year. Look at DeAndre Jordan for example, he has improved a lot in non statistical things that keep him on court, but as a rookie he put up 4.3 pts, 4.5 Rebs, 1.1 blks in 14.5 mins. 10.6 pts, 11.1 Rebs, 2.0 blks per 36 but also 4.5 fouls. So while there is a learning curve, Biyombo actually requires improvement beyond just the learning curve. Most big men that will be at least decent on offense can produce 10 pts/36 by their second season on 50%+ FG

Biyombo actually is quite mobile and doesn't foul, he can block shots, he rebounds well enough, but he isn't necessarily big enough at C, though he can learn to be one, can't play PF at all on offense, and he doesn't have the defensive impact for you to leave him on the court without offense. Right now, his production is like a non hacking Micheal Ruffin or a better rebounding Joel Anthony.

The problem I personally have is that the guys who started playing late, generally if they are going to get good, you will see the very quick learning curve in the beginning, then they refine their game later. Biyombo technically should have rapid growth early if its going to happen, he hasn't. This doesn't mean he's hopeless, there are exceptions, but obviously it isn't the best situation. Hopefully he gets better though.

[Eoghan]

The problem I personally have is that the guys who started playing late, generally if they are going to get good, you will see the very quick learning curve in the beginning, then they refine their game later. Biyombo technically should have rapid growth early if its going to happen, he hasn't. This doesn't mean he's hopeless, there are exceptions, but obviously it isn't the best situation. Hopefully he gets better though.

In my experience the opposite is true. Most players gradually learn their fundamentals which occur slowly as muscle memory and practice habits develop. After a solid fundamental foundation is complete, players are then able to "get it" and suddenly break out. Bismack is in this gradual, fundamental foundation building stage. He's improving at a good clip when you factor in that he has to unlearn bad habits developed learning how to play overseas, get used to American culture, get used to NBA game speed, learn tendencies of opposing players and do all this without an initial training camp and Summer League, playing his first season in a shortened, condensed format.