Hornets sign MCW

[catch20two]

Why do MCW got the worst defensive rating on the team?

[316Hornets]

MCW is playing his role well. I think I've seen him take maybe a couple of shots that were bad, but for the most part he understands that he is not as good a scorer as any other player on the team. Last game he took a couple wide open shots and as long as he makes those at a respectable rate, then everything is fine. If the other team doesn't have to respect his shot at all, then that's going to place too much pressure on guys like Lamb or Frank to create, and we'll have to find someone else.

[LamarMatic7]

Michael Carter-Steal-illiams?

[bravor]

Why do MCW got the worst defensive rating on the team?

It probably has to do with having to play along Frank & Bacon (who had some good games defensively, but it seems like his defense is really very up and down). Frank highly benefit from staying on the court along starters when they begin to come back (starting by Kemba generally).
No idea why he does not get minutes with MKG, Marvin and alike. And even if Bacon did some efforts (and limited mistakes) to get some minutes, it's about time to see Monk at sg along MCW. As a catch and shoot player from the bench, he is probably very valuable despite his rookie mistakes and poor defense. The game against the Cavs is probably the best example of a good match up for that MCW-Monk pair.

But MCW defense and court awareness is really awesome. He reads the defense really well, and for now he is not having problem with fouling to stop easy fast breaks. Not sure if it will be fine with Clifford though (for the fouling part). He is a like a pest for his opponents too. Not surprised by the steals, much more by his opponent's fg %. But the sample is too short for now (he won't have Crawford and alike to check every game).
He moves the ball rather safly too, even under pressure, and without having to rely on his teammates's picks to get free too often. I was expected a much more turnover prone player (even if he had some, but nothing bad so far - like turning it over for an easy fast break). Plays under control so far.
Maybe he is young enough to develop a midrange game, but i feel more confident when he shoots an open 3 than when he tries a middle range jumper or even a lay up/floater or whatever close to the rim. It's really weird to see him waste some easy looks. But if he was not, i doubt he would have been this cheap for the Hornets.

[catch20two]

I don’t think it’s as simple as just placing the blame on Bacon and Kaminsky.

In just 3 games there’s a lot of raw and advanced statistics that frown upon MCW. I think these negatives are going unnoticed by many because we’ve managed to win the past 3 games but I strongly believe that MCW is just not the answer at backup PG.

[bravor]

Yeah. You fully support the full offense "banzaï!" tactical approach

[catch20two]

Yeah. You fully support the full offense "banzaï!" tactical approach

We’re talking about “defense”? I’m trying to find a explanation on why he has the worst defensive rating on the team.

My eye test tells me that he’s been solid in that area outside of Jamal Crawford scorching him some and Lou Williams lighting him up more. I guess that’s the reason why he has the worst defensive rating on the team because he had to deal with the league’s most perennial 6th men in J-Crossover and LouWill in 2 of the last 3 games.

[yosemiteben]

I was very surprised to see that stat catch, worth asking about.

[catch20two]

I was very surprised to see that stat catch, worth asking about.

J-Crossover and LouWill are the reason.

[Braggins]

Biggest concern is just that he has no offensive game. Hes been invisible or bad on that end in all but the last game. Hes not a good ball handler. Hes a terrible shooter and finisher. He has some vision, but his decision making is sketchy even in a super limited role.

I do like the defensive utility and he has done a good job of playing to his strengths and not trying to do too much. I just wish we would take advantage of his unique positional length to get Monk on the floor at SG. I also dont like some of the lineups Cliff plays him in. The MCW/MKG/Dwight combo is especially troubling to me.

[bravor]

You obviously did not watch any of the last games then. And i am talking about the ball handling. As i had said in games chat, he would have piled a decent # of assists if Frank and alike had score some open look. He does not need any help to bring the ball in the half court, sets up his teammate, play agressive when the defense is closing the passing lanes etc. The only really bothering part of his game is that he does not have a jumper or a decent touch at the rim. The good news being that it's not what he is supposed to do except when necessary.

You and Catch keep trying to whisper that story that we heard once he signed here, but he is doing fine and a major plus to the bench which was a disaster during the monk/pg experiment.

[yosemiteben]

Yeah don't understand what there is to criticize about his ball handling or his vision. Definitely not a scorer but he's not supposed to be.

[Braggins]

I actually praised his vision and my post was overall positive. I said he has vision, but cant utilize it consistently because of spotty decision making. The poor decision making hasnt been an issue though, due to playing a super limited role. Does anyone disagree that hes a bad offensive player that cant shoot or finish? His ball handling isnt bad to the point where he cant get the ball up the floor, but its limited enough that he cant create off the bounce, which is also not much of an issue because of his small role, but none of that changes the fact that hes a bad offensive player, it just means his weaknesses might be managable.

[Braggins]

You obviously did not watch any of the last games then. And i am talking about the ball handling. As i had said in games chat, he would have piled a decent # of assists if Frank and alike had score some open look. He does not need any help to bring the ball in the half court, sets up his teammate, play agressive when the defense is closing the passing lanes etc. The only really bothering part of his game is that he does not have a jumper or a decent touch at the rim. The good news being that it's not what he is supposed to do except when necessary.

You and Catch keep trying to whisper that story that we heard once he signed here, but he is doing fine and a major plus to the bench which was a disaster during the monk/pg experiment.

Ive watched all but like two games. I think you just have selective memory if you have concluded that he isnt a poor offensive player. You also agreed with most of what i said in my post, so i dont understand the complaints.

[bravor]

Actually no one denied his flaws offensively, for his own scoring part. But if Monk is the jewel that he is supposed to be, MCW is close to the perfect complementary player from what we have seen. And defense can't completly cheat against him as we have seen.

We will see once Monk see the court again (hopefully soon). But even with Kemba, MCW proved to be useful. We are far from the "unplayable" label that was read here & there. And if the season goes on like this, it will be another nod in favor of Cho imo (along with Howard's trade).

[Braggins]

He has been mostly solid in his minutes so far. I hope he keeps it up, but i wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt. He has been so awful the last few years. I dont think the criticism hes received is unfair at all. He really has been that bad in the recent past. His lack of offense hasnt been an issue yet, but it is still worthy of concern imo.

[catch20two]

You and Catch keep trying to whisper that story that we heard once he signed here, but he is doing fine and a major plus to the bench which was a disaster during the monk/pg experiment.

He is not doing fine. He’s struggled just as much as Monk. We still need to find a upgrade. I don’t need a backup PG that got a -10 net rating on the floor. That’s not justifiable. The only difference is that we’ve won because we’ve been healthier with MKG back in the lineup and a little bit of Batum.

[catch20two]

I agree he has been worthy of a rotation spot this year. He has been solid in his minutes so far. I hope he keeps it up, but i wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt. He has been so awful the last few years. I dont think the criticism hes received is unfair at all. He really has been that bad in the recent past. His lack of offense hasnt been an issue yet, but it is still worthy of concern imo.

Don’t let them trick you into agreeing with them a little bit lol. MCW is struggling too just like Monk was. I just like that MCW isn’t forcing shots (yet) and getting the ball to Lamb on the 2nd unit. But teams have been going on runs with MCW on the floor just alike. Our bench is still a major weakness with him at backup PG.

[catch20two]

Not gonna massage me into believing that a player that’s shooting 22% from the field with the worst defensive rating and the worst net rating among current rotation players is playing just fine.

[Braggins]

I agree he has been worthy of a rotation spot this year. He has been solid in his minutes so far. I hope he keeps it up, but i wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt. He has been so awful the last few years. I dont think the criticism hes received is unfair at all. He really has been that bad in the recent past. His lack of offense hasnt been an issue yet, but it is still worthy of concern imo.

Don’t let them trick you into agreeing with them a little bit lol. MCW is struggling too just like Monk was. I just like that MCW isn’t forcing shots (yet) and getting the ball to Lamb on the 2nd unit. But teams have been going on runs with MCW on the floor just alike. Our bench is still a major weakness with him at backup PG.

My expectations are extremely low and we dont have many options. I grade him on a curve. Its kind of like if i say Clifford did a prettt good job in a particular game. I dont mean actually good, just that he did good enough to not stand out as a negative.