TDots97 wrote:Scase wrote:WuTang_OG wrote:
This is an excellent break down, and it is precisely the reason why I want us to prioritize him and his development over RJ. His offensive game is extremely versatile, he is going to be a 3 level scorer. Not that I don't think the two can't co-exist, but as we all know, there is only one ball.
And the talk about having both of them in the SL is bad for defence (which is true) and having Ochai be in the SL for defence, at the detriment of Gradey I think is a bad call. It's a hot take to say RJ should come off the bench, I don't think we are deep enough right now to have that discussion, but long term if we are to keep RJ, he should be taking a backseat to Gradey, assuming he continues down this trajectory.
He's a much better fit for the modern NBA, and eventually a decision will need to be made. As for this season, I say **** it. Run em both in the SL, have us lose games due to defence, so long as it results in more reps. Gradey and Scottie have an extremely complimentary game, and have shown even in extremely limited shared court time (only 339min total) how well they play together, let's give them all the time possible.
One of the best bits from that video, was a quote from Gradey where he talks about moving and cutting. Cuts don't get you a shot, they get someone else a better shot, so even if there is only one ball, he still has positive impacts on the offence that I don't think anyone else on the roster provides.
Also those above the break %'s are looking gooooooooooooood. People are not high enough on this kid IMO.
Side note, Samson is the ****.
I know that's too soon for that talk, but unless RJ makes a gigantic jump in terms of versatility offensively and/or defensive impact, I could see him being traded for an upgrade at SF for a 3+D type of guy, but we'll have to wait until Gradey is fully unleashed and breaking out for that to happen imo. I do agree that you can't have both players long-term unless one of them becomes competent defensively and Gradey fits the modern NBA better even though RJ has a very necessary skill with his downhill attacks.
This is exactly what I've been saying for a while now, RJ is not bad, but his style and skill set is not exactly "modern" NBA. No one is ever going to say he doesn't belong in the NBA, dude is clearly good. But to be a core piece of a winning team is something else entirely.
If Gradey can reach his potential, RJ is expendable and more valuable as a trade asset for that 3+D player. If not, then I guess it's a pick your poison situation, a shooter/slasher, or a bully ball/slasher. Personally I will almost always go with the shooter from the guard spot, but it becomes much more muddy. I don't think RJ can ever be a neutral defender, but I think Dick can.
I think that RJ is the ideal 6th man player, as in 6MOTY level play, but everyone gets up in their panties when you suggest something like that. If Gradey continues doing what he's been showing, by next year I would rather have a starting lineup of IQ/Dick/Ochai(?)/Scottie/Jak over having RJ in there. More floor spacing for Scottie to work with, no one but Jak in the paint clogging it up, and RJ can abuse 2nd units. Having a PG like Shead/Davion running a second unit with RJ as the 1st option offensively would be deadly, especially if Battle can continue to impress. I just don't see him as a long term starting level player on a winning team, unless he's able to get his 3pt shooting up to a good 36-37% on 4/g, or unless he magically finds a way to fix his physical defensive limitations, or his mental processing speed.
