RalphSampsonJr wrote:hardenASG13 wrote:Knrstz wrote:Are you still advocating playing Abrines instead of Roberson?
No, abrines has been a massive disappointment. I'm advocating trading him, potentially with Roberson and Ferguson, for some proven bench depth.
Yea.. youre looking sillier and sillier as the season goes on
All preseason you swore how much he needed to start. Now you have 180ed. Just like your mate Sleestak 180ed about Adams.
Let's where I was wrong.....i thought abrines would emerge as a 2 guard who could hit open 3s and play passable defense ( as any thunder fan should've....they really needed him to be that) He's had a hard time getting shots off and Defending.
Let's see where I've been right, against almost all of you:
1. Grant will become a rotation level player/improve with a year in okc under his belt (he's been playing out of position, but had been a bright spot amoung their prospects/bench players)
2. Okc will turn it around after a rough start, because, you know, they have Russell Westbrook and Paul George ( how anyone could've thought otherwise is just funny. Reminds me of a staff member at the alternative school I used to work at, who had some developmental disabilities and served lunch. He was a huge Celtics fan, it was his whole life. Year they won the title. Id always talk ball with him, and after every loss, he'd come in the next day panicking, saying his Celtics stunk and were awful. I'd reassure him they were awesome.)
3. The offense would stink with Roberson just standing in the corner, as he had the previous 3 years......which it did! During those first 20 games, where he was just standing outside, occasionally throwing the ball near the rim as he was unguarded, they struggled big-time offensively. With him actively screening and capitalizing on not being guarded every night by getting almost exclusively layups, he has at least found a way to contribute on that end, making it harder for opposing defenses to play 5 on 4. The addition of a 3rd scorer has also mitigated this effect. This may be the best he has consistently played offensively, as he is sustaining his ability to find layups. I still maintain any solid guard, in the Courtney Lee mold, is what this team needs at that spot to hit their ceiling, as they could be completely dominant offensively, with Roberson providing spot minutes, particularly when the other team has a superstar, just like other defensive specialists. His deficiencies are hidden by the superstars he has to play with exclusuvely to be on an NBA court. He is that bad offensively.
4. Kanter wasn't nearly as bad as everyone made him out to be. He was obviously great offensively, and still is. As for his D? Maybe don't switch him onto point guards after 1 screen?! He's been much improved on that end this year, playing in a system with half a brain. Before someone says he's a negative, look! He's doing great in New York, they love him there!
http://hoopshype.com/2017/12/29/enes-kanter-is-enjoying-the-best-season-of-his-career-and-other-players-have-taken-notice/But you got me on my (almost universal) optimism on abrines. Man I feel silly. What were YOU right about? Have you ever had the confidence to make a prediction, or do anything but echo others points/come on here after Roberson has a good game (ex. He shut down klay thompson in 1 game!......although last time they met in the playoffs, and generally always, Klay took his and Okcs soul).
