Is Baynes here to push Dre?

[Laimbeer]

Given he has some lapses in effort and concentration is it possible SVG brought Baynes here to push Dre to perform consistently? Maybe it gives SVG a more viable alternative when Dre just isn't playing well, and makes him understand he has to perform to get his minutes?

[laploutocratie]

There is no way that Drummond even remotely views Baynes as competition.

[Laimbeer]

There is no way that Drummond even remotely views Baynes as competition.

If he's really having a bad game I can see SVG being more inclined to sit him down for Baynes than he would be for Anthony. It's a more viable alternative and may allow him to use the bench to get through to Dre.

[MotownMadness]

No

[Redeemed]

Baynes isn't on Drummond's level. No one will argue that point. HOWEVER. Baynes is a serviceable big that could steal minutes from a lackluster and unfocused Drummond in times when the big fella is hurting the team with his mental lapses. Push Dre? Maybe not. To act as insurance so Drummond doesn't hurt the team at times? Certainly!

[zeebneeb]

At first I scoffed but there may be some truth to this. Using Baynes as a lever of sorts to pull the best from Andre is a possibility.

Andre is the most dominant bigman in the league when he plays with energy. No one is capable of his highs. It's off the charts. He also is guilty of inconsistently bringing it. It is frustrating. I'm hoping a winning culture and players that push him solve this problem.

That's why the other night if he was demanding the ball and complaining he wasn't getting it if reports are true are typical superstar behavior and I have no problem with that if his attitude is I want to dominate give me the damn ball.

SVG can go right to baynes if drummond sags and that could be used as motivation. Someone said in this thread "no. He isn't on Andres level" exactly

[DBC10]

Baynes is insurance for those games (And Dre will have them) when he's not mentally there and or has silly foul troubles. That's not to say Baynes is a great player, but is serviceable enough that he'll fill in whatever minutes Dre happens to implode at times.

Similar to the role Monroe had last season, but with lesser effect.

[ImHeisenberg]

Pushing Dre is certainly an aspect of his signing. Hopefully, now that he can play, he can do so. Dre has seemed pretty nonchalant about the preseason.

[Brapman]

Answer to thread question:

No. He's just a good player who should be a good backup.

[bballnmike]

The answer is yes. But not in the sense of pushing him by pressuring to take his spot, as most posters have answered so far that obviously won't happen. Baynes will push him in practice, and if Andre doesn't respond and play with intensity, he's gonna feel it.

“We try to leave him out of practice a little bit so he won’t hurt anyone,” Kawhi Leonard said. “You have to watch out for him.”

“We get scared he’s going to hurt somebody,” Parker said. “He’s a scary guy.”

If Andre isn't bringing it day in and day out, I expect he's gonna feel some mean screens from Baynes. Baynes offers some versatility on offense, and hopefully he teaches Andre what it means to never take a play off.

[DetroitSho]

The answer is yes. But not in the sense of pushing him by pressuring to take his spot, as most posters have answered so far that obviously won't happen. Baynes will push him in practice, and if Andre doesn't respond and play with intensity, he's gonna feel it.

“We try to leave him out of practice a little bit so he won’t hurt anyone,” Kawhi Leonard said. “You have to watch out for him.”

“We get scared he’s going to hurt somebody,” Parker said. “He’s a scary guy.”

If Andre isn't bringing it day in and day out, I expect he's gonna feel some mean screens from Baynes. Baynes offers some versatility on offense, and hopefully he teaches Andre what it means to never take a play off.

Why exactly would Baynes be setting screens on Andre?

[kurtis48239]

I think he was brought here because he is an excellent backup.I think yes,he most certainly can push dre to become better.Baynes is a 2 way player,if dre dosent have baynes in the back of his mind,would give me alittle concern.

[bballnmike]

The answer is yes. But not in the sense of pushing him by pressuring to take his spot, as most posters have answered so far that obviously won't happen. Baynes will push him in practice, and if Andre doesn't respond and play with intensity, he's gonna feel it.

“We try to leave him out of practice a little bit so he won’t hurt anyone,” Kawhi Leonard said. “You have to watch out for him.”

“We get scared he’s going to hurt somebody,” Parker said. “He’s a scary guy.”

If Andre isn't bringing it day in and day out, I expect he's gonna feel some mean screens from Baynes. Baynes offers some versatility on offense, and hopefully he teaches Andre what it means to never take a play off.

Why exactly would Baynes be setting screens on Andre?

Hm ok bad phrasing, I just meant going at it in practice.

[Todd3]

The answer is yes. But not in the sense of pushing him by pressuring to take his spot, as most posters have answered so far that obviously won't happen. Baynes will push him in practice, and if Andre doesn't respond and play with intensity, he's gonna feel it.

“We try to leave him out of practice a little bit so he won’t hurt anyone,” Kawhi Leonard said. “You have to watch out for him.”

“We get scared he’s going to hurt somebody,” Parker said. “He’s a scary guy.”

If Andre isn't bringing it day in and day out, I expect he's gonna feel some mean screens from Baynes. Baynes offers some versatility on offense, and hopefully he teaches Andre what it means to never take a play off.

You mean like this? lol

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AITa4uQ64ec[/youtube]

I like Baynes a lot but no player is perfect. If you go through others games you'll see defensive lapses by LeBron, Curry, Davis etc too. What matters is whether they are plus defenders overall or not, and both Dre and Baynes are, so you deal with the lapses now and then and try to minimize it as much as possible. This thing with Drummond is getting really over-exaggerated.

[Laimbeer]

I like Baynes a lot but no player is perfect. If you go through others games you'll see defensive lapses by LeBron, Curry, Davis etc too. What matters is whether they are plus defenders overall or not, and both Dre and Baynes are, so you deal with the lapses now and then and try to minimize it as much as possible. This thing with Drummond is getting really over-exaggerated.

There are lapses on plays and there are periods of time where concentration and motor have gone missing. We're talking about Dre doing the second.

[Todd3]

I like Baynes a lot but no player is perfect. If you go through others games you'll see defensive lapses by LeBron, Curry, Davis etc too. What matters is whether they are plus defenders overall or not, and both Dre and Baynes are, so you deal with the lapses now and then and try to minimize it as much as possible. This thing with Drummond is getting really over-exaggerated.

There are lapses on plays and there are periods of time where concentration and motor have gone missing. We're talking about Dre doing the second.

Well, Stan doesn't see it that way either, so it doesnt appear to be an issue.

Drummond had a slow start the first two exhibition losses, but has turned things up since, with 17 points and 21 rebounds against the Pacers and 14 points and 10 rebounds against the Bulls.

"(Against the Bulls), he was much more efficient, but in both games his energy level was extremely high," Van Gundy said. "(He had) 31 points and 31 rebounds in the two games — and not playing normal starter's minutes to get those is pretty impressive."

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/10/16/small-lineup-gets-mixed-results-van-gundy-says/74087082/

Stan is right. When a player avg 16 & 16 his last 2 games not even playing the 4th qtrs, he should be getting praised for his tremendous effort afterwards, not criticized for it.

[hoophabit]

Sure he is, after all Drummond is both lazy and stupid.

I know this because I read RealGM. I hope Dre doesn't because he might be feeling just a little under appreciated.

[hoophabit]

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/10/16/small-lineup-gets-mixed-results-van-gundy-says/74087082/

Stan is right. When a player avg 16 & 16 his last 2 games not even playing the 4th qtrs, he should be getting praised for his tremendous effort afterwards, not criticized for it.

Yes, but you can't take SVG's evaluation seriously about this matter. This very article includes the quote:
"Because Morris can play both forward spots, the move enables rookie Stanley Johnson to start at small forward and provide a more athletic group."

Well, we all know that Stanley Johnson is just not that athletic. If you haven't seen enough of it here, visit the general board's rookie expectations thread. It'll become clear.

[Pharaoh]

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/10/16/small-lineup-gets-mixed-results-van-gundy-says/74087082/

Stan is right. When a player avg 16 & 16 his last 2 games not even playing the 4th qtrs, he should be getting praised for his tremendous effort afterwards, not criticized for it.

Yes, but you can't take SVG's evaluation seriously about this matter. This very article includes the quote:
"Because Morris can play both forward spots, the move enables rookie Stanley Johnson to start at small forward and provide a more athletic group."

Well, we all know that Stanley Johnson is just not that athletic. If you haven't seen enough of it here, visit the general board's rookie expectations thread. It'll become clear.

Exhibit A that you shouldn't believe everything you read on here.

Some people have never played any real organized ball where there are actual coaches, offensive sets and defensive systems.

Combine that with never being responsible for a team of people in any field...

And having no real experience beyond watching & reading...

I've read a lot of novels and watched a lot of movies - does that mean I'm qualified to write a novel or a movie?

[Snakebites]

He is here because we need a backup center to play 15 or so minutes a night.

That's a real need. Why does any other explanation for his presence need to be inserted. Isn't that enough?