Leap Year - The Kemba Walker Thread III

[Braggins]

Kemba's biggest problem in my opinion has always been that he struggled to be a scorer and a playmaker at the same time. When he focused on his scoring he could score very well, but he would get tunnel vision. When he would focus on being a playmaker he would pretty well, but he wouldn't get into a shooting rhythm.

It seems that now that teams are having to respect his outside shot he can create so much more space for himself in the middle of the court, which is making it easier for him to see assist opportunities even though he is overall focusing on his scoring. He still gets tunnel vision a bit too much, but hes also creating more shots for others than he normally would while also aggressively looking for his shot.

[yosemiteben]

We talked a lot about how we added three point shooting this offseason, but I think we may underestimate the value of the passing we added and how that is helping and will help Kemba. Batum, Hawes, Lin, and Frank all help set up Kemba to score and help keep defenses honest in ways that really no one did last season.

I think that in order for our team to be successful, we have to have lineups full of facilitators because we know that's not Kemba's strength and it's time we start building around his strengths rather than asking him to get away from what he does best.

That's why I think we have to keep Batum - his game is so compatible with Kemba's.

[catch20two]

I think most of the pro-Kemba people always mentioned that we lacked players, specifically wings that could create themselves as well as others' shots. Part of the reason why I wasn't against trading for Evan Turner the other year. The addition of players willing to shoot 3s is greater than the playmaking aspect tho to me. The fact that we're able to spread the floor with teams having to respect our perimeter shooting has created lanes for Kemba to dribble and penetrate.

[catch20two]

Moreover I don't think keeping Batum after this season is a necessity unless it's at fair value. Batum isn't worth near max contract value. I don't even think Batum is worth being paid more than Kemba tbh but I understand the salary cap increase so it's very likely to be even at fair value. However I would like to retain Batum. He's a decent above average role player. We lack enough above average talent at their roles that we can't afford to just replace depth when we need to be adding depth to the few good pieces we do have.

[yosemiteben]

If we lose Batum we have to go out into the FA market and overpay to get someone with his skillset though, and there is always the possibility that we strike out given the scarcity of wings in the FA class. No one is getting signed the next two offseasons without getting a contract that is way above their perceived value.

We've seen what a team looks like with Kemba as the primary facilitator, and I don't want to go back to that.

[catch20two]

If we lose Batum we have to go out into the FA market and overpay to get someone with his skillset though, and there is always the possibility that we strike out given the scarcity of wings in the FA class. No one is getting signed the next two offseasons without getting a contract that is way above their perceived value.

We've seen what a team looks like with Kemba as the primary facilitator, and I don't want to go back to that.

Say what you want but we're not looking too much different than we did last year results wise. Our offense is of coursevbetter but that's not all Batum. That's a combination of Batum, Lin, Lamb, Frank, and Marv becoming a more willing 3pt threat.

I'm totally against paying Batum near max value based on where we're at right now. I'm not against paying him because of course he deserves to get paid and I'm not against overpaying a bit because that's what free agency calls for but he's too inconsistent and topped out for me to get behind him really being the difference maker we truly need. All of this is subject to change based on how our season ends.

[yosemiteben]

I'm totally against paying Batum near max value based on where we're at right now. I'm not against paying him because of course he deserves to get paid and I'm not against overpaying a bit because that's what free agency calls for but he's too inconsistent and topped out for me to get behind him really being the difference maker we truly need. All of this is subject to change based on how our season ends.

I agree that if our season ends on its current trajectory then that would be tough to swallow, but Batum is exactly the type of player we have to have next to Kemba - constantly looking to involve teammates, serious threat from outside, lengthy solid help defender and rebounder, and veteran experience so he has credibility.

We have to have someone in that role. How many guys in the league fit that bill, and who is going to be available for significantly less than what it would cost to get Batum?

[catch20two]

I'm totally against paying Batum near max value based on where we're at right now. I'm not against paying him because of course he deserves to get paid and I'm not against overpaying a bit because that's what free agency calls for but he's too inconsistent and topped out for me to get behind him really being the difference maker we truly need. All of this is subject to change based on how our season ends.

I agree that if our season ends on its current trajectory then that would be tough to swallow, but Batum is exactly the type of player we have to have next to Kemba - constantly looking to involve teammates, serious threat from outside, lengthy solid help defender and rebounder, and veteran experience so he has credibility.

We have to have someone in that role. How many guys in the league fit that bill, and who is going to be available for significantly less than what it would cost to get Batum?

Give me Kent Bazemore or Evan Turner at a fraction of the price so we can spend our money on suring up the frontcourt with at least one decent big that can finish and defend around the rim...ahem Hassan Whiteside. Meaning that I'd rather pay Whiteside the max before Batum.

[yosemiteben]

Kent Bazemore is available if the fraction you are thinking of is like 80%, since literally every team with cap space and a need on the wing is targeting him. He's about to get paid based on one season's production (one in which he is averaging less than 3 assists per game). He's not a facilitator, that's not his game.

Have you looked at Evan Turner's stats this season?

There are tons of teams with cap space this offseason, the league values 3 & D players more than ever before, and there is a total of like three decent ones that are going to be UFAs next summer. If we let Batum walk, we aren't going to fill his spot with a comparable player for much less than it would take to just keep him.

I'm not opposed to taking a run at Whiteside, but not for the max and especially not if it means we have to go back to having Kemba be our primary offensive facilitator. Adding Whiteside would only compound that problem, since for his career he averages a single assist for every five games he has played.

[yosemiteben]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/SynergySST/status/691008670478381056[/tweet]

Synergy Sports Tech ‏@SynergySST 46m46 minutes ago
For the 1st time this season, @KembaWalker joins @JJRedick, @StephenCurry30 in our scoring efficiency leaderboard.



Boom

[catch20two]

Kent Bazemore is available if the fraction you are thinking of is like 80%, since literally every team with cap space and a need on the wing is targeting him. He's about to get paid based on one season's production (one in which he is averaging less than 3 assists per game). He's not a facilitator, that's not his game.

Have you looked at Evan Turner's stats this season?

There are tons of teams with cap space this offseason, the league values 3 & D players more than ever before, and there is a total of like three decent ones that are going to be UFAs next summer. If we let Batum walk, we aren't going to fill his spot with a comparable player for much less than it would take to just keep him.

I'm not opposed to taking a run at Whiteside, but not for the max and especially not if it means we have to go back to having Kemba be our primary offensive facilitator. Adding Whiteside would only compound that problem, since for his career he averages a single assist for every five games he has played.

I'd be willing to give Whiteside the max. Bigs that can defend at the rim like him are a rarity. It's a gamble worth the risk. His offense isn't anything to sneeze at either.

I damn sure wouldn't be willing to give Batum the max. He's a above average role player, a super glue guy. You don't pay max money for that. Maybe if he was shooting better percentages, not on a contract year, putting up career high raw stat averages after a decade in the league. Maybe then I'd consider it sensible with only about 25% in favor.

Y'all make it seem like adding Batum is a godsend for Kemba improving. It's not. All Kemba needed was more talent than Cho previously added to balance out the roster. We need to keep adding talent and rid ourselves of trash like Hairston. That's the key to success.

[yosemiteben]

I disagree about Batum's effect on Kemba. It's been huge for Kemba to really not have to try to run or organize our offense on the first unit.

[catch20two]

It's been good for Cho to finally add a player capable of creating their own offense and being a playmaker from the perimeter like other teams that actually win basketball games have, yes.

Hendo had been the closest thing Kemba has had for 4 years to being a 2nd playmaker on the court. Scratch that, McBob was. Lol smh. See where I'm getting at? What are they on other teams now?

[Elden Payton]

It's been good for Cho to finally add a player capable of creating their own offense and being a playmaker from the perimeter like other teams that actually win basketball games have, yes.

Hendo had been the closest thing Kemba has had for 4 years to being a 2nd playmaker on the court. Scratch that, McBob was. Lol smh. See where I'm getting at? What are they on other teams now?

You do realise that Kemba would not be the first option on any perennial playoff team don't you?

Usually the PG is the playmaker from the perimeter, it is not this organisations fault that Kemba does not have those skills, it's his mentality and not coaching.

[catch20two]

Lol. This guy. What argument could he make that won't backup my initial argument that pleads that Cho hasn't brought in a better offensive threat than Kemba yet sans arguably Fat Al since we're talking perimeter threats specifically.

[HornetJail]

It's been good for Cho to finally add a player capable of creating their own offense and being a playmaker from the perimeter like other teams that actually win basketball games have, yes.

Hendo had been the closest thing Kemba has had for 4 years to being a 2nd playmaker on the court. Scratch that, McBob was. Lol smh. See where I'm getting at? What are they on other teams now?

You do realise that Kemba would not be the first option on any perennial playoff team don't you?

Usually the PG is the playmaker from the perimeter, it is not this organisations fault that Kemba does not have those skills, it's his mentality and not coaching.

Reggie Jackson, present-day Dwyane Wade, Paul Millsap, and Isaiah Thomas are all "first options" for their teams' offenses. We are fine with him as a first option on the offensive end as long as there's a strong core behind him- similar to these other players' teams.

[BigSlam]

Kent Bazemore is available if the fraction you are thinking of is like 80%, since literally every team with cap space and a need on the wing is targeting him. He's about to get paid based on one season's production (one in which he is averaging less than 3 assists per game). He's not a facilitator, that's not his game.

Have you looked at Evan Turner's stats this season?

There are tons of teams with cap space this offseason, the league values 3 & D players more than ever before, and there is a total of like three decent ones that are going to be UFAs next summer. If we let Batum walk, we aren't going to fill his spot with a comparable player for much less than it would take to just keep him.

I'm not opposed to taking a run at Whiteside, but not for the max and especially not if it means we have to go back to having Kemba be our primary offensive facilitator. Adding Whiteside would only compound that problem, since for his career he averages a single assist for every five games he has played.

I'd be willing to give Whiteside the max. Bigs that can defend at the rim like him are a rarity. It's a gamble worth the risk. His offense isn't anything to sneeze at either.

I damn sure wouldn't be willing to give Batum the max. He's a above average role player, a super glue guy. You don't pay max money for that. Maybe if he was shooting better percentages, not on a contract year, putting up career high raw stat averages after a decade in the league. Maybe then I'd consider it sensible with only about 25% in favor.

Y'all make it seem like adding Batum is a godsend for Kemba improving. It's not. All Kemba needed was more talent than Cho previously added to balance out the roster. We need to keep adding talent and rid ourselves of trash like Hairston. That's the key to success.

It's not just talent, it's talent with a specific skill set.

Look at the composition of our roster over the years and what we've tried to add at different stages.

From Steve Smith, Derek Anderson, Larry Hughes, Boris Diaw, Lance Stephenson, Josh McRoberts, Nic Batum - because of the continued deficiencies with our two main PG's games (Felton and Kemba) we've always had to look to add ball handlers/play makers to hide their weaknesses.

Thankfully we've finally found one worth a damn in Bats - and he's allowed Kemba to start playing up to his potential.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[catch20two]

Kent Bazemore is available if the fraction you are thinking of is like 80%, since literally every team with cap space and a need on the wing is targeting him. He's about to get paid based on one season's production (one in which he is averaging less than 3 assists per game). He's not a facilitator, that's not his game.

Have you looked at Evan Turner's stats this season?

There are tons of teams with cap space this offseason, the league values 3 & D players more than ever before, and there is a total of like three decent ones that are going to be UFAs next summer. If we let Batum walk, we aren't going to fill his spot with a comparable player for much less than it would take to just keep him.

I'm not opposed to taking a run at Whiteside, but not for the max and especially not if it means we have to go back to having Kemba be our primary offensive facilitator. Adding Whiteside would only compound that problem, since for his career he averages a single assist for every five games he has played.

I'd be willing to give Whiteside the max. Bigs that can defend at the rim like him are a rarity. It's a gamble worth the risk. His offense isn't anything to sneeze at either.

I damn sure wouldn't be willing to give Batum the max. He's a above average role player, a super glue guy. You don't pay max money for that. Maybe if he was shooting better percentages, not on a contract year, putting up career high raw stat averages after a decade in the league. Maybe then I'd consider it sensible with only about 25% in favor.

Y'all make it seem like adding Batum is a godsend for Kemba improving. It's not. All Kemba needed was more talent than Cho previously added to balance out the roster. We need to keep adding talent and rid ourselves of trash like Hairston. That's the key to success.

It's not just talent, it's talent with a specific skill set.

Look at the composition of our roster over the years and what we've tried to add at different stages.

From Steve Smith, Derek Anderson, Larry Hughes, Boris Diaw, Lance Stephenson, Josh McRoberts, Nic Batum - because of the continued deficiencies with our two main PG's games (Felton and Kemba) we've always had to look to add ball handlers/play makers to hide their weaknesses.

Thankfully we've finally found one worth a damn in Bats - and he's allowed Kemba to start playing up to his potential.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's been the wrong way to go about it then. Add talent and then let the rest sort itself out. If Cho add a better scorer/player than Kemba and Kemba can't adapt then Kemba suddenly becomes a good trade piece. Acting like adding limited players that can distribute a bit to somehow accustom to Kemba is a poor excuse to act like Kemba is holding the team back. Add talent, not pieces. However, we haven't did a good job of adding complimentary pieces really until this year to some degree.

[catch20two]

http://www.foxsports.com/carolinas/story/the-case-for-kemba-should-hornets-high-scoring-point-guard-make-all-star-roster-012516

[fatlever]

http://www.foxsports.com/carolinas/story/the-case-for-kemba-should-hornets-high-scoring-point-guard-make-all-star-roster-012516

LOL way to pay attention to my post two hours ago.