Signed By Indiana - The Jeremy Lamb Thread

[Diop]

I'm worried that Lamb will never get a chance here. He is playing the best he ever has, but this team has pretty much put the pieces around him to make it impossible for him to secure a prominent role without major injuries. At this point, I think the team should trade him once Batum comes back because Clifford is just going to send him back to the bench and give most of his minutes and shots to a 19 year old Monk. Jeremy Lamb is not a 20 minute / 8 shots a game guy. He is too good for that.

Put me in the camp that think we should package Batum or MKG with Frank and a future 1st rounder for a legit star player.

I can't see what star we would get for that package

[catch20two]

I'm worried that Lamb will never get a chance here. He is playing the best he ever has, but this team has pretty much put the pieces around him to make it impossible for him to secure a prominent role without major injuries. At this point, I think the team should trade him once Batum comes back because Clifford is just going to send him back to the bench and give most of his minutes and shots to a 19 year old Monk. Jeremy Lamb is not a 20 minute / 8 shots a game guy. He is too good for that.

Put me in the camp that think we should package Batum or MKG with Frank and a future 1st rounder for a legit star player.

I can't see what star we would get for that package

There will be a star that get traded for less come February. It happens every year.

[catch20two]

I personally think Batum is overpaid and slightly overrated by many on this board. He’s key to us having quality depth but he’s not a needle mover.

[Snidely FC]

I'm worried that Lamb will never get a chance here.

Why?
Until this year he didn't earn increased minutes. He's shooting 3s at a 44% clip, looking a lot less lost on defense, and seems to actively look to feed Dwight. That's all new this year, though, and we're only 10 games in. He keeps playing like this and it'll be hard for Cliff to keep him off the floor, even when Batum & MKG come back.

[Hornetsfan24]

I'm worried that Lamb will never get a chance here.

Why?
Until this year he didn't earn increased minutes. He's shooting 3s at a 44% clip, looking a lot less lost on defense, and seems to actively look to feed Dwight. That's all new this year, though, and we're only 10 games in. He keeps playing like this and it'll be hard for Cliff to keep him off the floor, even when Batum & MKG come back.

I agree, if he keeps playing at this level, he will get minutes. Lamb is also one of the few guys on the team that can create his own shot. He seems to playing with a lot of confidence right now, hope he keeps it up, it's up to him.

[316Hornets]

I'm worried that Lamb will never get a chance here.

Why?
Until this year he didn't earn increased minutes. He's shooting 3s at a 44% clip, looking a lot less lost on defense, and seems to actively look to feed Dwight. That's all new this year, though, and we're only 10 games in. He keeps playing like this and it'll be hard for Cliff to keep him off the floor, even when Batum & MKG come back.

For the reasons listed. Clifford has already shown a preference to giving Monk Lamb's minutes as referenced in the Milwaukee game. He's always made it tough for Lamb to see meaningful minutes and I don't see that changing despite Lamb's increased efficiency. Therefore, I propose we trade Lamb while his value is high and before Clifford demotes his role on the team and ruins any confidence he has.

[catch20two]

before Clifford demotes his role on the team and ruins any confidence he has.

I fear this too. Many act like it’s a revelation that Lamb is putting up numbers but the truth is that Lamb has always delivered whenever he got the minutes.

I’ve broke it down numerous times over the past 2 years via splits how Lamb averages 15+ points on good shooting percentages whenever he get at least 30 minutes of playing time.

He’s been top 3 in points per minute on the team the last 3 seasons.

[catch20two]

Lamb’s current production doesn’t surprise me. Clifford giving him consistent minutes is what surprises me. I honestly thought Clifford would’ve gave Bacon or Graham his role within a few games just for “defensive purposes” and “keeping the bench unit in tact for the inevitable return of Batum”.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I think that my primary Lamb question at this point is whether or not his D has improved enough that he can start next to Nic. Lamb + Bacon/MKG and he has someone else to take the really tough defensive assignments. Kemba/Nic/Lamb/Marv/Dwight and he may have to take that tough assignment himself.

[catch20two]

Lamb is currently leading the league in ‘catch and shoot’ efficiency (players w/ at least 3 FGA per game).



http://stats.nba.com/players/catch-shoot/?sort=CATCH_SHOOT_EFG_PCT&dir=1&CF=CATCH_SHOOT_FGA*GE*3&Season=2017-18&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

[yosemiteben]

I so hope Lamb can sustain his shooting. Huge for him and us if so.

[catch20two]

I so hope Lamb can sustain his shooting. Huge for him and us if so.

Almost Otto Potter-ish.

[HoopsMalone]

i hope cliff keeps lamb at SG and batum at sf. Or goes with monk/bacon and Batum as our 2/3 and lets lamb run the 2nd units.

The worst option BY FAR is to go Batum at 2 and MKG at the 3. So that's exactly what i expect

[Braggins]

i hope cliff keeps lamb at SG and batum at sf. Or goes with monk/bacon and Batum as our 2/3 and lets lamb run the 2nd units.

The worst option BY FAR is to go Batum at 2 and MKG at the 3. So that's exactly what i expect

We had a lot of success last season with Batum/MKG starting when Zeller was healthy. I still think it will work well enough with Dwight. The starters should be able to set the tone defensively and score well enough early (our issue has been 4th quarter) and then we bring shooters/offense in as the halves progress and close with Kemba/Batum/MKG/Marv/Cody or Frank. You can sub in a hot hand for a wing slot in the closing lineup when the situation calls for it and only use Howard down the stretch if the other team is going big and we are stuck in a grind fest.

[HoopsMalone]

i hope cliff keeps lamb at SG and batum at sf. Or goes with monk/bacon and Batum as our 2/3 and lets lamb run the 2nd units.

The worst option BY FAR is to go Batum at 2 and MKG at the 3. So that's exactly what i expect

We had a lot of success last season with Batum/MKG starting when Zeller was healthy. I still think it will work well enough with Dwight. The starters should be able to set the tone defensively and score well enough early (our issue has been 4th quarter) and then we bring shooters/offense in as the halves progress and close with Kemba/Batum/MKG/Marv/Cody or Frank. You can sub in a hot hand for a wing slot in the closing lineup when the situation calls for it and only use Howard down the stretch if the other team is going big and we are stuck in a grind fest.

We aren't going to be able to SCORE with that lineup. At some point you need to be able to score. You can't expect to be the worst team in the league at scoring besides the teams who are tanking on purpose like Chicago/Sacramento and expect your defense to win the game for you.

You guys are WAAAAAY too positive about this team. We are about to lose a LOT of games as currently constructed

[316Hornets]

i hope cliff keeps lamb at SG and batum at sf. Or goes with monk/bacon and Batum as our 2/3 and lets lamb run the 2nd units.

The worst option BY FAR is to go Batum at 2 and MKG at the 3. So that's exactly what i expect

We had a lot of success last season with Batum/MKG starting when Zeller was healthy. I still think it will work well enough with Dwight. The starters should be able to set the tone defensively and score well enough early (our issue has been 4th quarter) and then we bring shooters/offense in as the halves progress and close with Kemba/Batum/MKG/Marv/Cody or Frank. You can sub in a hot hand for a wing slot in the closing lineup when the situation calls for it and only use Howard down the stretch if the other team is going big and we are stuck in a grind fest.

We aren't going to be able to SCORE with that lineup. At some point you need to be able to score.

This, I think the offense is going to be at it's best with Walker/Lamb/Batum/Frank/Cody. Sub Dwight in for defense purposes when other team has a power big in. Batum is going to be able to become more of a faciliatator and take less shots, which is going to be great for everyone. Last year Batum and Kemba were the only two scorers and you just can't have Batum taking contested shots if you want to be a good offensive team.

[HoopsMalone]

i hope cliff keeps lamb at SG and batum at sf. Or goes with monk/bacon and Batum as our 2/3 and lets lamb run the 2nd units.

The worst option BY FAR is to go Batum at 2 and MKG at the 3. So that's exactly what i expect

We had a lot of success last season with Batum/MKG starting when Zeller was healthy. I still think it will work well enough with Dwight. The starters should be able to set the tone defensively and score well enough early (our issue has been 4th quarter) and then we bring shooters/offense in as the halves progress and close with Kemba/Batum/MKG/Marv/Cody or Frank. You can sub in a hot hand for a wing slot in the closing lineup when the situation calls for it and only use Howard down the stretch if the other team is going big and we are stuck in a grind fest.

I misread your post a little there. I thought you were championing Kemba/Batum/MKG/Cody or Frank/Dwight

Realistically, Lamb's defense is good enough right now that we can't bench his offense. That's a mistake, period. Batum's defense at SG is so bad that he needs to be moved to SF or PF immediately. His defensive reboudning is so elite that this doesn't hurt us at all.

MKG is not a SF. He's fine there for 6 mins or so but if you cannot shoot 3's you are EITHER a SG or a Center. As a center you are the dive man and as a SG you can be a cutter. The PF needs to be in the corner and the SF needs to be above the break.

[316Hornets]

Kemba/Batum/MKG/Marvin/Zeller



Kemba/Lamb/Batum/Frank/Zeller




stats from nbawowy It's a small sample size, but it just shows the offensive potential with the lineup of Lamb and Frank with Kemba, Batum, Zeller.

[catch20two]

I’m all for a small ball starting lineup when Batum return with Dwight at C.

Kemba
Lamb
MKG
Batum
Dwight

I want for us to maximize and showcase our offensive potential. I think we are in dire need of shaking things up.

A 2nd unit of MCW, Monk, Marv, Frank, and Zeller is still a above average bench with flexibility and it doesn’t hurt us from putting our best players on the floor more often than not.

[HornetJail]

I’m all for a small ball starting lineup when Batum return with Dwight at C.

Kemba
Lamb
MKG
Batum
Dwight

I want for us to maximize and showcase our offensive potential. I think we are in dire need of shaking things up.

A 2nd unit of MCW, Monk, Marv, Frank, and Zeller is still a above average bench with flexibility and it doesn’t hurt us from putting our best players on the floor more often than not.

Marvin at the SF position is questionable, but I like this depth chart better than what we do right now. MKG's skillset is absolutely that of a PF, not a wing. Personally, that bench unit should probably use Bacon or Graham at the 3, while Marvin and Frank eat up the remaining PF minutes.

Kemba 36/MCW 12
Lamb 30/Monk 18
Batum 30/MKG 10/Graham or Bacon 8
MKG 20/Marvin 18/Frank 10
Howard 24/Zeller 24

with any remaining minutes going to Monk at the 1 or 2, Graham or Bacon at the 3 or Frank at the 4 or 5