Copeland hasn't proven anything over any of the guys you mentioned. Just because he had a really good year last year with us doesn't mean we should go out of the way to sign someone who has basically become a 3PT shooting specialist now that he is with Indiana.
Copeland has proved to be a reliable and consistent shooter, especially over JR and Andrea.
If he was so good why didn't he get minutes last year and why isn't he in the rotation for an Indiana team that has a very weak bench right now? It's not just Woodson cause even Hardaway is getting more minutes than Cope did and he is also a rookie.
Last year? I know you just pointed this out, but it was Woodson. It's not some "he doesn't play rookies" thing. He's always been ok with that actually. It's his rotations in general and part of that was not playing Cope. Last year he played Kidd too much, then he didn't give Shump time, etc. his rotations in general are terrible and you see that this year too with the ever-changing starting lineup. He can't crack the Pacers rotation because he doesn't defend well. In NYK that'd be acceptable cause nobody defends. In Indiana you are expected to do it and do it at an elite level unless you're a perfect fit and great talent like Scola, who they mask.
For how low IQ of a game JR and Andrea have, they have a better feel and understanding of the game than Copeland does. What has Cope done to show he has great IQ, he is a 3PT specialist, all he has to do is shoot and not turn the ball over.
Here I think you prove the opposite of what you're trying to. JR and Andrea lack basic understanding of basketball sometimes. I'd rather Cope accept a smaller role (offensive spark off the bench) than try to be a hero like the other two. He's a specialist, while the other two are active detractors to our team who's selfish play costs us games (more JR than Bargs)
Hardaway is doing exactly what Cope was doing last year except he is actually playing in all our games and scoring during clutch moments and not just in garbage time. Look at their numbers they are exactly the same. Only Hardaway is a better defender and is quicker and can score in transition and is more versatility offensively.
Cool, so why not have both?
[b]Also JR is a way better defender than Cope. JR has proven to be a average to an above average defender while Cope is a pure negative. Bargnani is probably a better defender than Cope and definitely a better man to man defender.[/b]
Nope, especially to the bolded. Last years pre-surgery, pre-paycheck, pre-collapse JR was a really nice defender. This year? He's lost a ton of lateral quickness and doesn't even try to stay with his man. JR has regressed amazingly as a defender while in limited minutes Cope has at least shown he understands schemes and can defend the post a bit man to man (we actually saw him working on this with Sheed and Camby last year)
Also while I have no problem taking 3s, it only works if the people taking the shots are doing things on the other end of the court. You need 3&D players not just 3PT specialist.
We don't have options. Two way players who can hit the three aren't gonna come by at this point. Cope at least improves our offense while not making our D any worse (as I mention, JR and Andrea have both been dreadful on D)
