CntOutSmrtCrazy wrote:doclinkin wrote:Frichuela wrote:Will Deni see some time as a small-ball 5?
Gallo and Moose shared the court for a bit in the Hornets game. I expect we will see Deni with either/both. Especially since Bilal is looking like he fits just fine with the starters. Rook may have stolen his minutes while he was out with that sore back. I'm interested to see if Deni can develop chemistry with either of the back-up Bigs. Pick up veteran tips. From what it sounds like he instantly clicked with Gallo, in a similar way Kristaps was big brother to him.
So let me get this straight, Deni in the eyes of many on this board has been replaced as a starter based on 1 game against a JV Australian team and preseason win versus Charlotte
Remains to be seen if Deni has been replaced as a starter by the coaching staff.
The question on Deni is who does he play best next to. He is versatile enough to play 3, 4, small-ball 5 -- but aside from his defense that versatility has not led to wins. Does he start? Next to who. Kuzma? Many of us would prefer he play more of Kuzma's minutes, displacing him rather than playing next to him. But as of right now, who do you think the team would start between Kuzma and Deni?
If the answer is Kuzma, you're talking about dividing minutes for Deni at the other forward spot. I've been surprised that Kispert was not even given a sniff of that role. But defensively it only makes sense considering how small we are if Corey is our 3rd player on the wing. That puts us arguing whether Deni or Bilal is likely to start at the 3. As a starter, Deni next to Gafford crowds the floor with players who haven't shown a reliable outside shot. Bilal went 2 for 3 from outside against Charlotte. Small sample size, but he looks comfortable shooting it. Have we ever said that about Deni?
We have ample sample size of Deni playing next to Kuzma. So far that pairing earned us 35 wins, even playing next to 2 (former) all-stars who were coveted by finals contenders. Facts show that under this coach Deni struggled to claim a starting role -- until his competition for the spot was traded. A fact that likely lost the job of the GM who drafted them both.
Which brings up the next point. Deni was drafted by the former front office, any smart coach who wants to keep his job will find developmental minutes to the highly talented player selected by the new team heads. If you had to gamble on the upside of 2 players, 19 year old Bilal with 0 minutes in the league, or Deni who is entering his contract year but whose game has not yet taken 'the leap' -- which guy are you shoving your chips on the table for? If you were daydreaming based on the limited evidence we have: Which guy is more likely to make an All-star game in his career?
Stat heads understand what Deni does best doesn't pop in the box score. It shows up as negative percentages in opponents scoring. Not sexy in highlights. Percentages sell no tickets. Unless the team is winning. But are we likely to win this season? Is that even the goal? Highlights wise, Bilal has had a few blocks in his reel and some high flying dunks. Freeze frame of that will sell a few tickets on hope alone. At the very least we have not yet had occasion to say that Bilal looks timid with the ball, and has been passing it to teammates instead of being aggressive. Westbrook would not have to yell at this kid to shoot it. No knock on Deni and his complete game, team mind set, just saying the energy is different. Like when Deni plays with aggression in Euro ball.
Seems to me this season is about developing talent for the future. Not saying Deni has had his chance. I'm saying that reading the tea leaves, Bilal has done enough to make a case to play next to any group we can put out there. At age 19. The more minutes we can give him early, the higher his upside. He's getting minutes. The only question is whose?
Even if he is not starting, Deni will play. There are minutes behind Kuzma, especially if Gallo is slotting in at center. Deni's versatility means he can slide in at 3&4 where Bilal is probably limited to the wing forward position while he is still learning.
Deni next to either of our outside shooting small ball centers could actually be a good fit. He rebounds well, defends with quick feet, plays a team game, swings the ball to the open man. If either Mus or Gallo is actually hitting an outside shot that frees up the interior for Deni to outquick whatever Big faces up against him. On the other end a line-up that sees some combo of Deni, Johnny D and Delon Wright could add an interesting defensive change of pace.
Show me I'm wrong and I'm happy to learn, but it seems to me the outline of what the coaches are trying to do is right there. They want to get developmental minutes for each of Bilal, Deni, Kispert, Johnny D to see if any of them take a jump. Meanwhile they need to showcase vets for midseason trade. And sell a few tickets off the purported swagger of Poole and Kuzma.
Winning isn't the mission. I just see it as probable that Deni has gotten squeezed to the 2nd line by a young kid who just might sell tickets off his talent and future, in ways that Deni hasn't yet shown.
-- Spring of '22 I believe. Caused by a high blood pressure problem (if I recall rightly).