esqtvd wrote:Anyway, basketball IQ and leadership are what we're lacking and that's what Conley still has some of--that Right Stuff. It's all on Ballmer now, if he wants to roll the dice on what's left of Kawhi's and PG's prime. In the end it's HIS team and HIS future.
Frankly, Reggie did a better job quarterbacking the makeshift second unit tonight than faux-point guard Mann ever could, so for that reason alone, Mann should remain the starter. It's not that we need a point guard, it's that we need a leader--Kawhi and PG need a leader!--and that's where Conley would fit in.
I don't think that Terance is a great point guard, but it seems clear to me due to our team deficiencies we need him to play 30+ MPG. We need his youth, athleticism, and his team-oriented play (which does make him a credible point guard.) Indeed not many players on our team are actually capable of playing 30+ MPG for a full season without getting gassed or hurt.
He's not a consistent scorer though so isn't going to find those minutes at the 2 or 3, and the 4 (much less 5) is more of a gimmick position for him. I think it would be a mistake to try to force him to take more shots, the form on his jumper is a bit slow and he's not quick enough to consistently break down his man 1-on-1. He is a very good opportunistic scorer though (50% FG for his career even.)
I feel like Mann is almost like a band-aid this season as Reggie was last season, our roster is still broken but in different ways.
Conley is a better point guard and brings certain qualities, but then Terance goes back to irregular minutes and most of our line ups get even older. I think others have mentioned the possibility of getting both Conley and Collins at the deadline, that would be a viable combo to bring in IMO because Collins adds a lot of juice. I am really hesitant at bringing in yet another vet bargain (35 years young this time), but you do what you can I guess.