The Liam McNeeley Thread

Chapelchilla · Post #121 » by **Chapelchilla** » Mon Jul 21, 2025 2:15 pm

I wish he had finished out SL, he was entertaining. Maybe the ankle injury is not quite right.

MasterIchiro · Post #122 » by **MasterIchiro** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:58 pm

Clearly Liam has an opening because Josh Green will miss some time.

Jeff seems to be clinging to Josh Green, so what I don't want to see is Green's return pushing aside Liam if McNeeley is really proving he belongs.

Liam is just as NBA-ready as Kon, and a few posters here want to pencil in Kon as a starter over Sexton.

I can see carving space for Kon at SG ahead of Green, but don't shift Green to SF2 and block Liam there just because he's owed bad money, and because you want your mistake in Green to look less bad.

Rich4114 · Post #123 » by **Rich4114** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:42 pm

I don't think Josh Green should even be in the rotation, he offers very little to nothing 90% of the time. I'm really hoping we find a way to move off of him, his contract amount is good to match other deals.

As for McNeely, even if he isn't going to be the defender Josh is (on some nights) right away, I think his +/- overall could be more helpful on the court so he should see mins in the rotation day one if what he did in SL is any indication of what he can do in the NBA season.

As for Josh Green's starting spot, I would give that to Kon because we need to see LaMelo/Miller/Kon on the floor together as much as possible. Sexton and Mann off the bench would work well and you can stagger each of those 5 guys so 2-3 are always on the court.

MasterIchiro · Post #124 » by **MasterIchiro** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 4:48 pm

Rich4114 wrote:I don't think Josh Green should even be in the rotation, he offers very little to nothing 90% of the time. I'm really hoping we find a way to move off of him, his contract amount is good to match other deals.

As for McNeely, even if he isn't going to be the defender Josh is (on some nights) right away, I think his +/- overall could be more helpful on the court so he should see mins in the rotation day one if what he did in SL is any indication of what he can do in the NBA season.

As for Josh Green's starting spot, I would give that to Kon because we need to see LaMelo/Miller/Kon on the floor together as much as possible. Sexton and Mann off the bench would work well and you can stagger each of those 5 guys so 2-3 are always on the court.

Yeah, I agree on Liam.

I don't believe Kon should be developed playing against starters, alongside starters as option 4 after Melo - Miller - Miles. I think Sexton makes sense as an upgrade to option 3 over Miles and as someone ready to provide the secondary playmaking for LaMelo that's been missing, drawing defenders with rim pressure and POA offense.

I think a softer, more supportive development path would benefit Kon where he's playing up as a #2 option alongside Mann, seeing roughly the same number of shot attempts as Liam.

MasterIchiro · Post #125 » by **MasterIchiro** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 4:53 pm

First and foremost though.

Take your loss and dump Green, please Jeff. Don't feel embarrassed the other GM's want to charge you a 1st for taking on his 2 years.

Chapelchilla · Post #126 » by **Chapelchilla** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 5:13 pm

MasterIchiro wrote:
Rich4114 wrote:I don't think Josh Green should even be in the rotation, he offers very little to nothing 90% of the time. I'm really hoping we find a way to move off of him, his contract amount is good to match other deals.

As for McNeely, even if he isn't going to be the defender Josh is (on some nights) right away, I think his +/- overall could be more helpful on the court so he should see mins in the rotation day one if what he did in SL is any indication of what he can do in the NBA season.

As for Josh Green's starting spot, I would give that to Kon because we need to see LaMelo/Miller/Kon on the floor together as much as possible. Sexton and Mann off the bench would work well and you can stagger each of those 5 guys so 2-3 are always on the court.

Yeah, I agree on Liam.

I don't believe Kon should be developed playing against starters, alongside starters as option 4 after Melo - Miller - Miles. I think Sexton makes sense as an upgrade to option 3 over Miles and as someone ready to provide the secondary playmaking for LaMelo that's been missing, drawing defenders with rim pressure and POA offense.

I think a softer, more supportive development path would benefit Kon where he's playing up as a #2 option alongside Mann, seeing roughly the same number of shot attempts as Liam.

I like this idea. The teenagers should come off the bench and develop rapport against second teams. They should be able to be a real plus in that role while they get used to the NBA and get stronger.

MasterIchiro · Post #127 » by **MasterIchiro** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 5:21 pm

Chapelchilla wrote:
MasterIchiro wrote:
Rich4114 wrote:I don't think Josh Green should even be in the rotation, he offers very little to nothing 90% of the time. I'm really hoping we find a way to move off of him, his contract amount is good to match other deals.

As for McNeely, even if he isn't going to be the defender Josh is (on some nights) right away, I think his +/- overall could be more helpful on the court so he should see mins in the rotation day one if what he did in SL is any indication of what he can do in the NBA season.

As for Josh Green's starting spot, I would give that to Kon because we need to see LaMelo/Miller/Kon on the floor together as much as possible. Sexton and Mann off the bench would work well and you can stagger each of those 5 guys so 2-3 are always on the court.

Yeah, I agree on Liam.

I don't believe Kon should be developed playing against starters, alongside starters as option 4 after Melo - Miller - Miles. I think Sexton makes sense as an upgrade to option 3 over Miles and as someone ready to provide the secondary playmaking for LaMelo that's been missing, drawing defenders with rim pressure and POA offense.

I think a softer, more supportive development path would benefit Kon where he's playing up as a #2 option alongside Mann, seeing roughly the same number of shot attempts as Liam.

I like this idea. The teenagers should come off the bench and develop rapport against second teams. They should be able to be a real plus in that role while they get used to the NBA and get stronger.

In the one-and-done era we should see a gradual progression through higher levels of competition.

HS - college - NBA bench - NBA starters.

Collin Sexton would laugh his ass off if Lee started Kon ahead of him when Mann is contracted 3 years to run offense for the bench.

Mann is a really good bench piece to help organize developing players because Tre can command a double team. He's well-qualified as a shot creator (for himself and teammates).

I'm really excited about Mann - Kon - Liam as a young bench trio. Kon's biggest fans should feel excited about it as well.

Bassman · Post #128 » by **Bassman** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 6:42 pm

“I'm really excited about Mann - Kon - Liam as a young bench trio. Kon's biggest fans should feel excited about it as well.”

Agree with MasterIchiro that this is likely the projected direction from the coaches PRE-training camp. Sexton is ready to contribute and you won’t really know how well he fits between the M’s until you invest games with him there. Maybe Moussa starts at the 5, suppose he’s the best option at this point. Kon and Liam, with Tre and Tiddy plus some reserve center off the bench. Williams isn’t supposed to be ready to play until first of the year, correct?

Chapelchilla · Post #129 » by **Chapelchilla** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 7:26 pm

Bassman wrote:
“I'm really excited about Mann - Kon - Liam as a young bench trio. Kon's biggest fans should feel excited about it as well.”

Agree with MasterIchiro that this is likely the projected direction from the coaches PRE-training camp. Sexton is ready to contribute and you won’t really know how well he fits between the M’s until you invest games with him there. Maybe Moussa starts at the 5, suppose he’s the best option at this point. Kon and Liam, with Tre and Tiddy plus some reserve center off the bench. Williams isn’t supposed to be ready to play until first of the year, correct?

It seems like he wont be ready to start the year (or maybe the calendar year). They may go with Kalk and let the new dudes learn on the job.

wilson115 · Post #130 » by **wilson115** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:28 pm

MasterIchiro wrote:Yeah, I agree on Liam.

You mean you agree with your own agenda. That's a surprise.

MasterIchiro · Post #131 » by **MasterIchiro** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:42 pm

wilson115 wrote:
MasterIchiro wrote:Yeah, I agree on Liam.

You mean you agree with your own agenda. That's a surprise.

Why are you instigating? Boring.

JustBuzzin · Post #132 » by **JustBuzzin** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:48 pm

Yeah definitely liking our bench Mann/Kon/McNeeley/Kalk should be fun to watch.

Hopefully Salaun can be a legit piece to that group if he develops this year.

Green/Spencer both need to go so we can free up playing time for the young guys.

Man Strength · Post #133 » by **Man Strength** » Thu Jul 24, 2025 2:57 am

I wouldn’t be shocked to see him playing some minutes at the 4. If not this season then next year.

Chapelchilla · Post #134 » by **Chapelchilla** » Thu Jul 24, 2025 2:29 pm

Man Strength wrote:I wouldn’t be shocked to see him playing some minutes at the 4. If not this season then next year.

If the headband gives him Man Strength a couple years early maybe he can.

JMAC3 · Post #135 » by **JMAC3** » Thu Jul 24, 2025 6:53 pm

Man Strength wrote:I wouldn’t be shocked to see him playing some minutes at the 4. If not this season then next year.

McNeely had a standing reach of 8'3.5'' which was the same Kasparas. Shorter than Sion, Kon and Tyrese Proctor. So probably shouldn't be a PF, especially since athletically he isn't a plus.

HornetJail · Post #136 » by **HornetJail** » Thu Jul 24, 2025 7:00 pm

JMAC3 wrote:
Man Strength wrote:I wouldn’t be shocked to see him playing some minutes at the 4. If not this season then next year.

McNeely had a standing reach of 8'3.5'' which was the same Kasparas. Shorter than Sion, Kon and Tyrese Proctor. So probably shouldn't be a PF, especially since athletically he isn't a plus.

so that is one inch higher than Terry Rozier lol

KembaWalker · Post #137 » by **KembaWalker** » Thu Jul 24, 2025 7:04 pm

trying to math it out in my head how McNeeley could measure nearly 2" barefoot taller and 2" longer wingspan than Kon and come up 2" shorter on standing reach. did he just tank it or what

HornetJail · Post #138 » by **HornetJail** » Thu Jul 24, 2025 8:10 pm

KembaWalker wrote:trying to math it out in my head how McNeeley could measure nearly 2" barefoot taller and 2" longer wingspan than Kon and come up 2" shorter on standing reach. did he just tank it or what

my understanding is that some players fake having a small standing reach so that their vertical jump looks better...

but I'm not really seeing the logic to do that because congratulations, McNeeley's standing reach now looks like that of a decently sized combo guard instead of a forward.

GoBobs · Post #139 » by **GoBobs** » Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:12 am

College stats are more reliable than combine measurement projections. He is a guy that doesn't get a lot of steals or blocks, but is a plus rebounder.

MasterIchiro · Post #140 » by **MasterIchiro** » Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:28 am

I wouldn't get too caught up in measurements. His ultimate ceiling role is point forward who can shoot, and those are super valuable and rare.

Kon is potentially an elite sniper with secondary playmaking skills.

It's been a long time since the organization struck gold on a late pick. Maybe the last one was Tobias Harris in the 2011 NBA Draft but he was 19th not 29th. That was the Charlotte Bobcats.

Maybe Desmond Bane level gold?

That dude has short arms.