Pillendreher wrote:-Adams and Dipo are becoming 'Schönwetterspieler'. This German expression means that somebody only brings it if the weather is 'nice', ie they perform well when things in general go well, but they suck once things go south. I can't remember a single game in which either one of them really stepped up and kept us from losing. You?
I haven't seen the term used in basketball media, but down under we call players like that flat track bullies.
I'm not too sure about it though. Adams has historically been dependable with us, and if anything, has played better when the stakes are high. Even when the stats don't reflect it. Hell, without him getting ZBo to punch him, we might well have gotten eliminated in the first round in 2014. And he left nothing on the floor in last years playoffs.
Victor, I can see it. He needs a shot of confidence big time. He has the skills. When he's feeling it he can absolutely be a #2 option on a championship level team, which is what we need him to be. But he just retreats into his shell sometimes. He doesn't get free throws because he doesn't go into the bodies of players...when he's one of the best dunkers in the league. He's strong and he can jump, but you wouldn't think it when he goes for layups.
And I think also with Vic is that he gets a bit of the Ibaka treatment sometimes. That we just forget him. He can be playing well and all of a sudden not touch the ball in the 4th. On paper I'd even prefer Victor taking clutch 3 point shots to Russ, but we rarely see that. I think he'd really benefit from having a couple of games where Russ defers to him more than he's currently doing, let him lead, get some confidence up. Alternatively if we were in a position to rest Russ then that could also be another great chance for Vic to get some confidence (but we probably won't be).
Both players have the tools to become consistent 2nd and 3rd options. 30ppg from Russ, 20ppg and 15ppg from Adams would hold us in great stead as far as a 'big 3' goes, and on paper, seems realistic. The question is whether the coaching staff get them there.
