Game 32: Suns (10-21) at Mavs (8-22), Monday, December 18th, 6:30PM, MST

[bwgood77]

My problem with Mike James an Cannan is that:

-At 26 and 27, neither fit the timeline.
-They are monthly or yearly rentals. Anything they do for us goes away at the end of the year.
-They are taking time and opportunities away from the other guys. (both playing minutes and time handling the ball).

If we had traded for a project like Mudiay or French Frank and THEY were putting up the numbers, I'd be ecstatic since we'd be in control and likley able to keep them.

I disagree

At 26-27, they are perfect for the timeline. You can't have a team of 21-22 year olds play good basketball and expect to get good development out of a team without any experience. At 26-27, they largely know how to play the game, they have good experience, they mostly know what their strengths and weaknesses are and they know what they need to do to be productive. Even a young team like Sixers have TJ, Bayless, Reddick playing significant minutes.

As for being rentals, just because they go doesn't mean they take everything with them. If they play well, it gives us a better look at the type of players we should be pursuing. Maybe Booker plays his best ball next to a Marcus Smart type bruiser or maybe he plays his best next to a McConnell type passer or perhaps he's better with a scorer like Harris.

They aren't taking minutes or roles from anyone worth playing anyway. Ulis has regressed and it's not trending upwards at this point. It's entirely debatable whether he's even a 2nd stringer.

That's a fine age for a backup PG. If we can find a legit starting PG and Canaan was to somehow keep playing as he has so far, I'd be fine keeping him on as backup PG.

[lilfishi22]

My problem with Mike James an Cannan is that:

-At 26 and 27, neither fit the timeline.
-They are monthly or yearly rentals. Anything they do for us goes away at the end of the year.
-They are taking time and opportunities away from the other guys. (both playing minutes and time handling the ball).

If we had traded for a project like Mudiay or French Frank and THEY were putting up the numbers, I'd be ecstatic since we'd be in control and likley able to keep them.

I disagree

At 26-27, they are perfect for the timeline. You can't have a team of 21-22 year olds play good basketball and expect to get good development out of a team without any experience. At 26-27, they largely know how to play the game, they have good experience, they mostly know what their strengths and weaknesses are and they know what they need to do to be productive. Even a young team like Sixers have TJ, Bayless, Reddick playing significant minutes.

As for being rentals, just because they go doesn't mean they take everything with them. If they play well, it gives us a better look at the type of players we should be pursuing. Maybe Booker plays his best ball next to a Marcus Smart type bruiser or maybe he plays his best next to a McConnell type passer or perhaps he's better with a scorer like Harris.

They aren't taking minutes or roles from anyone worth playing anyway. Ulis has regressed and it's not trending upwards at this point. It's entirely debatable whether he's even a 2nd stringer.

That's a fine age for a backup PG. If we can find a legit starting PG and Canaan was to somehow keep playing as he has so far, I'd be fine keeping him on as backup PG.

Not saying Canaan is a long term option. Just saying we need guys like him who have enough experience but also not way past his prime (like our vets) that he can't be productive. If you can get these types of players for cheap to help mold the young guys, that's ideal for a rebuild project.

JJ Reddick is a great example. The guy is 33 and more than a decade into his career, he doesn't fit the timeline at all. But he's a guy who can pull the youngsters in, allow them to benefit from his experience and hit shots to help them win. It's not about taking away their shots, it's not about taking away minutes, it's about helping the roster cross the bridge from being a bunch of talented youngsters into a legit team. He's not doing it on his own by single-handedly taking over games, he's doing it by being a reliable, time-tested tool which the team can use to help them win games.

That's what a guy like Canaan could be (if he keeps this up). He's getting our players involved, he's hitting big shots when they come to him and he's deferred to our other players on scoring opportunities plenty of times. When Booker comes back, he won't have to play as much next to a defensive liability in Ulis and he won't play next to a chucker in James.

[tgtm_24]

Agree with the previous comments. The Timeline is as much as waiting for younger players to develop as it is being patient for the right fit player to become obtainable. The Fromt Office won't pass on the perfect fit just because he's 28 or 29