Charlotte 2014 Picks Watch Thread

amcoolio · Post #961 » by **amcoolio** » Thu Apr 3, 2014 9:19 pm

I think you guys are an Andre Drummond injury away from being one of the worst teams next year. Nothing personal, it's just Smith and Jennings are huge net negatives for your team considering their salary. In order to turn it around you have to get rid of both of them "Rudy Gay" style and that's going to be pretty difficult,
but I guess possible.

MotownMadness · Post #962 » by **MotownMadness** » Fri Apr 4, 2014 2:09 am

amcoolio wrote:I think you guys are an Andre Drummond injury away from being one of the worst teams next year. Nothing personal, it's just Smith and Jennings are huge net negatives for your team considering their salary. In order to turn it around you have to get rid of both of them "Rudy Gay" style and that's going to be pretty difficult,
but I guess possible.

They are real bad no doubt. This team was bad but not this bad like weve seen since firing the coach at the all star break. The starting roster is flawed and playing everyone out of position but I would imagine the new GM will attempt too fix that in the off season. Theres zero shooters out there to already go along with bad floor spacing from starting all three bigs. If you think we will be the worst team in the league next year then you are badly mistaking. Theres a few common sense fixes to make that should keep the team sniffing the playoffs next season, Whether they get in or not is the question.
For this season though the owner pulled the plug after the Allstar break and put handcuffs on Dumars while also firing the coach and decided to just keep the pick and start over with a new GM and coach before things got any worse.

Liver_Pooty · Post #963 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Fri Apr 4, 2014 2:32 am

MotownMadness wrote:
amcoolio wrote:I think you guys are an Andre Drummond injury away from being one of the worst teams next year. Nothing personal, it's just Smith and Jennings are huge net negatives for your team considering their salary. In order to turn it around you have to get rid of both of them "Rudy Gay" style and that's going to be pretty difficult,
but I guess possible.

They are real bad no doubt. This team was bad but not this bad like weve seen since firing the coach at the all star break. The starting roster is flawed and playing everyone out of position but I would imagine the new GM will attempt too fix that in the off season. Theres zero shooters out there to already go along with bad floor spacing from starting all three bigs. If you think we will be the worst team in the league next year then you are badly mistaking. Theres a few common sense fixes to make that should keep the team sniffing the playoffs next season, Whether they get in or not is the question.
For this season though the owner pulled the plug after the Allstar break and put handcuffs on Dumars while also firing the coach and decided to just keep the pick and start over with a new GM and coach before things got any worse.

I've been trying to tell a few on here that there is no way you guys are as bad next year as you are this year. For instance, if you guys would have hired a Steve Clifford instead of Cheeks I think you are exponentially better. Not saying Clifford is a Godsend or anything, but he is a defensive mastermind. A new competent coach and a half decent GM would do wonders.

Edit: That being said thats why I want to trade the pick draft night to either move up or something of that nature. The value of the pick will never be higher than it is during the off season, and will only go down as the season progresses and you guys begin to win some games.

Post #964 » by **Diop** » Fri Apr 4, 2014 3:38 am

put Josh Smith at Pf, don't let him shoot the 3 pointer and he won't be such a negative.

Putting him at sf with 2 centres means he pretty much has to take long jumpers for spacing. its just setting him up for failure.

Clifford would have done a lot better as he would have refused to play the 3 together. You know how set he is in his ways, he would only play them at there real positions and tell management to make a change if they don't like it.

There are 96 minutes to be shared at Pf/C, I don't see why you have to play the 3 together. It would mean that no other Pf's like Jerebko will get any minutes and the starting Sf would be someone like Singler, but so be it. Just further highlights that a change is required without killing trade values and making the coach look incompetent.

ComboGuardCity · Post #965 » by **ComboGuardCity** » Fri Apr 4, 2014 8:08 pm

amcoolio wrote:I think you guys are an Andre Drummond injury away from being one of the worst teams next year. Nothing personal, it's just Smith and Jennings are huge net negatives for your team considering their salary. In order to turn it around you have to get rid of both of them "Rudy Gay" style and that's going to be pretty difficult,
but I guess possible.

As odd as it sounds, an Andre Drummond injury + a decent coach makes the pistons a playoff team.

Liver_Pooty · Post #966 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Fri Apr 4, 2014 8:10 pm

ComboGuardCity wrote:
amcoolio wrote:I think you guys are an Andre Drummond injury away from being one of the worst teams next year. Nothing personal, it's just Smith and Jennings are huge net negatives for your team considering their salary. In order to turn it around you have to get rid of both of them "Rudy Gay" style and that's going to be pretty difficult,
but I guess possible.

As odd as it sounds, an Andre Drummond injury + a decent coach makes the pistons a playoff team.

I agree.

KembaWalker · Post #967 » by **KembaWalker** » Sat Apr 5, 2014 2:46 pm

To me, Pistons are in a situation where they will have to get a lot worse before they can get better. If it was just one player like Rudy Gay where its addition by subtraction they could have done a Toronto kind of thing. But they have 2 boneheads they'd have to dump on top of maybe losing Monroe this year. Their new GM is gonna have a ton on his plate. Its gonna be up to their owners to decide if owing us their pick next year is enough incentive to avoid a total firesale that could save them some cash. might be a 2-3 year process with Silas/Dunlap-esque scab coaches shedding bad assets before they are totally ready to build again.

I really don't know what they are gonna do with their situation. Signing Smith and Jennings to those deals knowing Monroes contract was coming up was so dumb..

Eoghan · Post #968 » by **Eoghan** » Sat Apr 5, 2014 5:38 pm

I think y'all are over thinking this one. All Detroit needs is a good coach that plays to their strengths. They have the makings of a hell of a defensive team over there, they just need a coach that gets them to buy into it.

HornetJail · Post #969 » by **HornetJail** » Sat Apr 5, 2014 6:07 pm

BrotherDave wrote:I think y'all are over thinking this one. All Detroit needs is a good coach that plays to their strengths. They have the makings of a hell of a defensive team over there, they just need a coach that gets them to buy into it.

Detroit could be really good if they ever figured out that not all three of Drummond/Monroe/Smith have to play at the same time (just play each of them 32 minutes a game at PF and C) and get them a capable shooter SG/SF and a point guard that isn't named Brandon, and they're good to go even if they get a below-average coach.

Braggins · Post #970 » by **Braggins** » Sat Apr 5, 2014 10:33 pm

Detroit is clearly tanking to keep their pick like we should have done. They have far more talent than we do. Josh Smith as a PF is better than anyone on our team easily. They definitely have more talent than we do. If they move Monroe for a wing that can shoot and get a decent coach they will probably be better than us next year unless we sign a big free agent. Jennings is a problem but there is still a chance he could get his stuff together and that team could be really good. I think people are forgetting the impact Josh Smith can have when he plays his natural position because Detroit has sucked it up so much this season.

Liver_Pooty · Post #971 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Sat Apr 5, 2014 10:43 pm

Braggins wrote:Detroit is clearly tanking to keep their pick like we should have done. They have far more talent than we do. Josh Smith as a PF is better than anyone on our team easily. They definitely have more talent than we do. If they move Monroe for a wing that can shoot and get a decent coach they will probably be better than us next year unless we sign a big free agent. Jennings is a problem but there is still a chance he could get his stuff together and that team could be really good. I think people are forgetting the impact Josh Smith can have when he plays his natural position because Detroit has sucked it up so much this season.

Lol. Are you serious?

Edit: Serious about Josh Smith being better than anyone on our team easily? Hes talented, but oh so stupid.

HornetJail · Post #972 » by **HornetJail** » Sat Apr 5, 2014 10:59 pm

Braggins wrote:Detroit is clearly tanking to keep their pick like we should have done. They have far more talent than we do. Josh Smith as a PF is better than anyone on our team easily. They definitely have more talent than we do. If they move Monroe for a wing that can shoot and get a decent coach they will probably be better than us next year unless we sign a big free agent. Jennings is a problem but there is still a chance he could get his stuff together and that team could be really good. I think people are forgetting the impact Josh Smith can have when he plays his natural position because Detroit has sucked it up so much this season.

We definitely have more talent than Detroit right now (and that could change if they use their pick and cap space wisely and we don't), but the point you're making is correct.

Braggins · Post #973 » by **Braggins** » Sat Apr 5, 2014 11:45 pm

Liver_Pooty wrote:
Braggins wrote:Detroit is clearly tanking to keep their pick like we should have done. They have far more talent than we do. Josh Smith as a PF is better than anyone on our team easily. They definitely have more talent than we do. If they move Monroe for a wing that can shoot and get a decent coach they will probably be better than us next year unless we sign a big free agent. Jennings is a problem but there is still a chance he could get his stuff together and that team could be really good. I think people are forgetting the impact Josh Smith can have when he plays his natural position because Detroit has sucked it up so much this season.

Lol. Are you serious?

Edit: Serious about Josh Smith being better than anyone on our team easily? Hes talented, but oh so stupid.

Who on our team is better? Big Al isnt nearly as good. I said as a PF. He plays like an idiot as a SF. He is a borderline dominant two way player as a PF.

Liver_Pooty · Post #974 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Sat Apr 5, 2014 11:51 pm

Braggins wrote:
Liver_Pooty wrote:
Braggins wrote:Detroit is clearly tanking to keep their pick like we should have done. They have far more talent than we do. Josh Smith as a PF is better than anyone on our team easily. They definitely have more talent than we do. If they move Monroe for a wing that can shoot and get a decent coach they will probably be better than us next year unless we sign a big free agent. Jennings is a problem but there is still a chance he could get his stuff together and that team could be really good. I think people are forgetting the impact Josh Smith can have when he plays his natural position because Detroit has sucked it up so much this season.

Lol. Are you serious?

Edit: Serious about Josh Smith being better than anyone on our team easily? Hes talented, but oh so stupid.

Who on our team is better? Big Al isnt nearly as good. I said as a PF. He plays like an idiot as a SF. He is a borderline dominant two way player as a PF.

I would take Jefferson and Walker over Smith easily. Smith has terrible shot selection no matter if hes a PF or a SF.

Not sure if you meant strictly the PF's on our team, which in that case he is better.

Eoghan · Post #975 » by **Eoghan** » Sun Apr 6, 2014 12:43 am

Biz Gilwalker wrote:
BrotherDave wrote:I think y'all are over thinking this one. All Detroit needs is a good coach that plays to their strengths. They have the makings of a hell of a defensive team over there, they just need a coach that gets them to buy into it.

Detroit could be really good if they ever figured out that not all three of Drummond/Monroe/Smith have to play at the same time (just play each of them 32 minutes a game at PF and C) and get them a capable shooter SG/SF and a point guard that isn't named Brandon, and they're good to go even if they get a below-average coach.

For sure. I'd ship out Monroe for that capable shooter since I don't think he's a good fit for that team, they're going to be a run and gun type as long as Jennings is there anyway. Even with Jennings in full chuck mode, they could get away with it most nights as long as the rest got back on D.

Braggins wrote:Detroit is clearly tanking to keep their pick like we should have done. They have far more talent than we do. Josh Smith as a PF is better than anyone on our team easily. They definitely have more talent than we do. If they move Monroe for a wing that can shoot and get a decent coach they will probably be better than us next year unless we sign a big free agent. Jennings is a problem but there is still a chance he could get his stuff together and that team could be really good. I think people are forgetting the impact Josh Smith can have when he plays his natural position because Detroit has sucked it up so much this season.

They might have a bit more talent than we do, it's tough. I dunno about that "J Smoove at PF easily being better than anybody on our team" part, you're on you own on that one. :wink:

If you put Clifford in Detroit and Mo Cheeks in Charlotte to start this season, Detroit would probably be fighting for home court advantage in the 1st round and we'd be gunning with the Bucks and 76ers for ping pong balls, that's how much of an impact I think the respective coaching has had.

Post #976 » by **fatlever** » Sun Apr 6, 2014 2:22 am

the pistons actually won a game. they were out-tanked by the celtics. too little, too late.

Liver_Pooty · Post #977 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Sun Apr 6, 2014 2:59 am

BrotherDave wrote:
Biz Gilwalker wrote:
BrotherDave wrote:I think y'all are over thinking this one. All Detroit needs is a good coach that plays to their strengths. They have the makings of a hell of a defensive team over there, they just need a coach that gets them to buy into it.

Detroit could be really good if they ever figured out that not all three of Drummond/Monroe/Smith have to play at the same time (just play each of them 32 minutes a game at PF and C) and get them a capable shooter SG/SF and a point guard that isn't named Brandon, and they're good to go even if they get a below-average coach.

For sure. I'd ship out Monroe for that capable shooter since I don't think he's a good fit for that team, they're going to be a run and gun type as long as Jennings is there anyway. Even with Jennings in full chuck mode, they could get away with it most nights as long as the rest got back on D.
Braggins wrote:Detroit is clearly tanking to keep their pick like we should have done. They have far more talent than we do. Josh Smith as a PF is better than anyone on our team easily. They definitely have more talent than we do. If they move Monroe for a wing that can shoot and get a decent coach they will probably be better than us next year unless we sign a big free agent. Jennings is a problem but there is still a chance he could get his stuff together and that team could be really good. I think people are forgetting the impact Josh Smith can have when he plays his natural position because Detroit has sucked it up so much this season.

They might have a bit more talent than we do, it's tough. I dunno about that "J Smoove at PF easily being better than anybody on our team" part, you're on you own on that one.

If you put Clifford in Detroit and Mo Cheeks in Charlotte to start this season, Detroit would probably be fighting for home court advantage in the 1st round and we'd be gunning with the Bucks and 76ers for ping pong balls, that's how much of an impact I think the respective coaching has had.

Precisely.

Braggins · Post #978 » by **Braggins** » Sun Apr 6, 2014 4:28 am

How is Josh Smith not better than everyone on our team? He is an elite defender, good scorer, great all-around game. Hes not quite the scorer that Jefferson is and is barely worse at rebounding but is far superior in pretty much every other aspect except FT% (his yearly % fluctuates like crazy). His Atlanta teams were borderline elite even when Horford was injured. He clearly has more impact on a game than anyone on our roster. Jefferson's career year is getting us barely over .500 and likely bounced in the first round very quickly. I really don't think its close. I don't think anyone on here would have disagreed about Smith being easily better than Al before he became a Bobcat. As a SF playing 20 feet from the basket Smith is pretty dreadful, but that is on the Detroit management/coaches. That isn't his game at all. I think Detroit is easily more talented than us. Drummond and Smith are more talented than anyone on our team and Monroe isn't far behind Al and Kemba if he is at all. Jennings is talented but I will admit that with him it doesn't really translate into anything. We have more depth but if I was a gm I would much rather start out with a core of Drummond/Smith with Monroe as a trade chip than Kemba/Al/MKG. I agree that coaching is the biggest difference though.

HornetJail · Post #979 » by **HornetJail** » Sun Apr 6, 2014 6:18 pm

Braggins wrote:How is Josh Smith not better than everyone on our team? He is an elite defender, good scorer, great all-around game. Hes not quite the scorer that Jefferson is and is barely worse at rebounding but is far superior in pretty much every other aspect except FT% (his yearly % fluctuates like crazy). His Atlanta teams were borderline elite even when Horford was injured. He clearly has more impact on a game than anyone on our roster. Jefferson's career year is getting us barely over .500 and likely bounced in the first round very quickly. I really don't think its close. I don't think anyone on here would have disagreed about Smith being easily better than Al before he became a Bobcat. As a SF playing 20 feet from the basket Smith is pretty dreadful, but that is on the Detroit management/coaches. That isn't his game at all. I think Detroit is easily more talented than us. Drummond and Smith are more talented than anyone on our team and Monroe isn't far behind Al and Kemba if he is at all. Jennings is talented but I will admit that with him it doesn't really translate into anything. We have more depth but if I was a gm I would much rather start out with a core of Drummond/Smith with Monroe as a trade chip than Kemba/Al/MKG. I agree that coaching is the biggest difference though.

Josh Smith would be our third fringe-all-star talent player, but he's not an all-star. If he'd pull his head out of his ass and stop chucking up shots from 15 feet and beyond, he'd be an 18/8/4/2/1 player for sure, and would be shooting much better percentages.

Check out this season, by far his worst statistical season in years, he's shooting 42% from the field, but still manages 70% at the rim, yet is 303/928 for 32.7% OUTSIDE OF THREE FEET. The guy has never been able to shoot a lick, yet 60% of his shots are outside his reliable range. Al Jefferson would shoot threes better than him if he wanted to (yes I'm dead serious). The guy is an idiot. It will take an especially good coach to change the bad habits he's had for ten years now.

That said, he's an immensely talented player who would immediately become our best forward and would actually be a good fit next to Al because of his defense and ability to pass the ball, but we'd need much better shooters for that to work. However, he is in no way anywhere as good as Big Al, and probably not Kemba next season either.

LamarMatic7 · Post #980 » by **LamarMatic7** » Sun Apr 6, 2014 6:28 pm

Braggins wrote:How is Josh Smith not better than everyone on our team? He is an elite defender...

whoa, whoa, whoa, stop right there. he might have elite defensive talent, but it's been a while since I've seen him play elite defense. his mind seems to be drifting non-stop. He blatantly forgets to box out and thus gives up offensive rebounds, he goes for uncalled double teams that leave his team in a frenzy, he gets caught ball watching and forgets about his man - those all are very bad habits and habits that describe Josh Smith's play game to game.