Should Thabo seeing the type of minutes he's seeing?

azuresou1 · Post #1 » by **azuresou1** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 6:41 pm

Thabo has been unfathomably bad on offense to start this season. Averaging 6 PPG on a terrible .446 TS%, and only 1 for 13 from 3. In fact, if you exclude attempts from right outside the immediate basket vicinity, he has an eFG% of .059. Defensively he's been solid but not special.

If you compare him to Mike Scott, Scott's been putting up more than double the per 36 scoring (22.6 vs 9.6) on far better efficiency (.603 vs .446) while also providing valuable spacing (.414 3PT% vs. .077). Scott's defense has also improved; as a player he's also 4 years younger and has more upside.

Alternately, we could be playing Jenkins who had a solid preseason, and who prior to last night was buried on the bench. Or maybe we can run 2 PG lineups to take advantage of Dennis' play while retaining Teague's much needed dribble penetration.

All in all I think Thabo's complete lack of offense is hurting is too much for him to be playing 22MPG.

Post #2 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 6:54 pm

A very valid question, and one I've been pondering myself as Jenkins (and even Bazemore and Mack) has seen limited minutes to start the season.

A week ago, I'd have been in favor of limiting his minutes. But with Demarre unavailable, Thabo is clearly the single best perimeter defender on the team.

In addition, Thabo as a starter is avg double digit scoring (10 ppg) on 52% FG shooting. He is clearly more productive (and efficient) as a member of the starting lineup.

I tempted to go the opposite direction, proposing that Thabo join the starting lineup at SG or SF.

Thabo on the bench = terrible.
Thabo as a starter = top notch.

The question then becomes, can Demarre still have a comparable impact as a bench player?

Post #3 » by **Hawk Eye** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 7:08 pm

When DeMarre returns I think it's best to keep the wing rotation the same as how we started the season. DeMarre deserves to start and Thabo should be continually coming off the bench as DeMarre's sub. Now IF and I know it's a big "IF", Thabo gets his 3 point stroke going..then I could see Bud starting him over DeMarre. But as of now because we rely so much on the 3 ball I think is best that DeMarre gets more minutes than Thabo and starts over him.

ATLHawksfan21 · Post #4 » by **ATLHawksfan21** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 2:14 am

azuresou1 wrote:Thabo has been unfathomably bad on offense to start this season. Averaging 6 PPG on a terrible .446 TS%, and only 1 for 13 from 3. In fact, if you exclude attempts from right outside the immediate basket vicinity, he has an eFG% of .059. Defensively he's been solid but not special.

If you compare him to Mike Scott, Scott's been putting up more than double the per 36 scoring (22.6 vs 9.6) on far better efficiency (.603 vs .446) while also providing valuable spacing (.414 3PT% vs. .077). Scott's defense has also improved; as a player he's also 4 years younger and has more upside.

Alternately, we could be playing Jenkins who had a solid preseason, and who prior to last night was buried on the bench. Or maybe we can run 2 PG lineups to take advantage of Dennis' play while retaining Teague's much needed dribble penetration.

All in all I think Thabo's complete lack of offense is hurting is too much for him to be playing 22MPG.

I have to disagree with this one. Spend time solely focusing on Thabo on the defensive end and you should change your mind pretty quickly. Thabo has been great on defense. He has also been solid on offense outisde of his 3 pt shot. He's 1/13 from 3 and 19/40 on 2's. He's one of our better finishers around the basket from what I have seen.

MaceCase · Post #5 » by **MaceCase** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 4:04 am

He's atrocious from 3 but he's been playing quite a bit similar to how Chill's used to for the team. If it's a comparison to Scott.....Well Thabo is putting up superior block, steal, assist and rebounding numbers and Jenkins is an unknown that hasn't and isn't expected to do much in any of those categories. Yea he's not providing much in the scoring department like green-lit gunner Scott is but he's providing excellent rebounding from the wings (he's third best on the entire squad so far), his length is wrecking havoc on man defense, in the passing lanes and on help defense and he's surprised me with his ball handling and passing ability. He seems to be the only wing that can competently handle the ball without having to resort to the small ball lineups with Mack or Jeffrey at the 2. Not concerned about spacing from him either right now, 4 out of the other 5 players can all shoot, I don't see him single handedly negatively affecting spacing and as we've seen he's crazy good slashing to the bucket and can finish explosively.

Rip2137 · Post #6 » by **Rip2137** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 9:06 pm

Thabos passing and ball handling skills are awesome as well. Along with his ability to finish on the break along with great defense. I am fine with him getting a lot of minutes because even with his shot nonexistent, he contributes.

jayu70 · Post #7 » by **jayu70** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 5:45 pm

Thabo is struggling from the 3, that is about it. His defense has been stellar, rebounding has been good and 2-pt shooting OK. Offense is not our problem. Defense and Rebounding is.

simon24 · Post #8 » by **simon24** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:23 am

Yes, he's the team's best perimeter defender to guard the LeBron's, Pierce's and Carmelo's. Hawks don't have anybody else healthy that comes close. Bazemore would be at a disadvantage.

Give it time. The season is still early. Horford is not playing full time, Carroll is hurt so the team has to get their chemistry down.