JF5 wrote:Skin wrote:simon24 wrote:
Same thing I'm thinking. Ibaka and Gordon in the starting lineup together is redundant.
Different set of skills, but in the beginning folks used to say the same thing with Hedo and Shard in the line up. Two 6'10 tweeners on the floor at the same time who can't defend.
It's an untraditional feel, but that doesn't mean we won't have advantages to work with.
What the hell? Hedo and Rashard were 2 COMPLETELY different players offensively.
Hedo was one of the primary playmakers on the perimeter. Along with the fact that he was probably the best shot creator on the team and the unquestioned go-to guy. Lewis's role was primarily spotting up while using his post game from time-to-time. Those guys even though tweeners, were completely 2 different players.
Though I do agree that Gordon and Ibaka have different styles of play (Like Ibaka blocks shots, and Gordon is more amorphous defender and is a better passer). What they do on the court is pretty similar. High energy guys, with little offensive inclination, whose primary strengths are on the defensive end.
You must have missed the part that I just bolded and underlined for you.
Eventually, Shard settled into our PF. But originally that wasn't the clear cut case. The way we used Shard wasn't the way the Sonics used him. ...and Hedo wasn't playing Point Forward for us before Shard got here either. It was definitely questionable how things were going to work because they played the same position. We really didn't see too much of that 4 out, 1 in scheme in the NBA. At the time, we were pioneering it. It was kind of morphed into fruition... with us trying to play our best 5 guys at the same time.... and being innovative in doing so brought us success.
Here's another case of us being innovative, so we shall see what happens. Nobody else in the NBA has the kind of design that we have. Our size, athleticism, and defensive capabilities at the 3, 4, 5 is totally unique.