Post#1785 » by AtheJ415 » Sun Oct 22, 2017 6:43 pm
I don't like any of those names. Realistically, this team obviously needs to push the reset button, but that is easy enough by firing Watson. I would place a temporary coach and spend the season researching somebody who you are willing to bet your career on. Maybe that is Messini. Maybe that is someone else. I don't think getting a young pass first PG is the answer. In fact, I like Ulis more than many of those young pass first PG's. Smart, for instance, is a 1 way player who straight chucks in inopportune situations. We don't need to re-create PJ Tucker at every position, and if we're going for a guy like that I would rather do it at a big guy position where the spacing impact doesn't impact the entire offense as much.
I don't think, given this team isn't contending anyways, there is some rush to simply get the best coach possible to save this season. In my opinion we shouldn't be trying to save this season. It is imperative we get a top 5 pick and end up with one of Bagley, Porter, Ayton, Bamba, Doncic. Any of those guys are gamechangers for this team. Yes, we can't be out there losing by 40+. We want the youngsters to play well, but that should be about it imo.
I have never been a huge fan of Watson. In my opinion we went from a coach who had no idea how to handle a locker room in Hornacek and overcorrected to a guy who is all feelings and brings little in terms of development / coaching in the traditional sense. Moving on from him was bound to happen, but I was hoping it would be able to wait until the end of the season than to be forced on us after a few games, but that is what we are looking at.
This team is not as bad talent-wise as it has shown under Watson so far. Bledsoe has not fallen off a cliff--he is still a top 35 player in this league. Booker is still a rising star. Jackson still has the potential to be a rising star. Warren is still good. The problem is this mix of a lineup is a disaster and I think the frustration about roles is bleeding into their play. I would be sitting Tyson and starting Bender or Len at the 5. Put Chriss back at the 4 (I get it's pro sports and maybe he is being immature, but he's not even old enough to drink yet, came in as a project, was not expected to do much, then started, then excelled, then was told by his coach how he's some future All-Star, and then the team drafted a SG/SF and somehow he is benched and was not told until gameday--that is pretty ****). Then pick one of Jackson or Warren to start at the 3. Have the other lead the bench unit. If you find a good trade for Bledsoe, trade him and maybe you have the flexibility to experiment with Booker in a Harden role, which is what I have been hoping for regardless. Wanting Booker to be Kobe in todays NBA makes 0 sense to me. A Harden-type is much more valuable, and is a better fit for his skillset imo.
I feel very good about the following players in terms of talent: Booker, Jackson, Bledsoe, Warren, Ulis
Bender and Chriss have always been projects. I think one pans out but it will be years before we find out which, and I am confused by the rush to judge these 2.
If I am armchair GM, I am still trying to trade Chandler, trading Bledsoe (if the price is right. I am not giving him away. Maybe Brooklyn would be interested with Lin out. Bledsoe + Miami picks for DLo?)
I am then looking to get one of those top 5 to fill into the 4 or 5 spot and using the Miami pick on a mid-first PG. Hire a legitimate coach and go all out trying to show something next season so that you can get FAs before Booker's extension.