Ty Lawson signs with Wiz

[dckingsfan]

I think that how Chris Paul was treated by Houston vastly differs from how Sato has been treated here. I get that Brooks doesn't like him - and there is no way he is going to want to stay (he and his agent have to be counting the days). We should trade him now to get some value for him.

[Eli Babak]

Sato was fine as a starter, it's all about staggering the minutes in a way that allows him to play with Beal as much as possible. Though right now I'm sure Rivers will get more minutes than Sato because he's more aggressive on the offensive end. If they end up signing someone like Lawson I wouldn't be surprised to see Sato traded. Mad? Yes.

[nate33]

I think that how Chris Paul was treated by Houston vastly differs from how Sato has been treated here. I get that Brooks doesn't like him - and there is no way he is going to want to stay (he and his agent have to be counting the days). We should trade him now to get some value for him.

I seriously doubt we'd get anything useful in return. Teams undervalue low usage, high efficiency players. And I think people underrate his defense because he is white. It really bugs me because Scott Brooks was also a scrappy, low-usage, efficient player who was an underrated defender. If anybody should recognize Sato's value, you'd think it might be Brooks.

I could see Ted trading him for raw cap space and a top 55 protected 2nd rounder, just to save $12M in salary plus luxtax fees.

[NatP4]

I’ve been seeing lots of tweets and even some articles written about Satoransky from other teams/fanbases. He’s no secret, he started 40 some games and his numbers as a starter were fantastic. The pelicans and thunder fans REALLY want him.

There is no reason to trade him, he’s one of the best guards in the NBA, he can play 3 positions, he’s a high character-no ego-great teammate that plays hard all the time. He can fit next to any type of player because he’s good at everything.

Fix the real problem, that is Scott Brooks. Play Satoransky 28 minutes a night at the 1-3, use him as your 6th man. Stop the nonsense.

You build championship teams out of players like Otto/Sato/Brown, high character unselfish guys that are willing to do whatever it takes to win. Brown and Sato will make an outstanding duo off the bench if used correctly.

A halfway intelligent coach would simply play him at the other guard spot next to Wall or Beal and have the best guard trio in the NBA, while also using him at the 3 at times.

For 3 million dollars, this guy gave us positive VORP, positive BPM, 5 win shares, 7th in RPM for shooting guards (top 50 in the NBA) 15 PER, >.600 TS%. 11-6-5-1 with less than 2 turnovers per 36.

You can’t find a better fit for a backup guard. Fire the mental midget of a coach

[dckingsfan]

I think that how Chris Paul was treated by Houston vastly differs from how Sato has been treated here. I get that Brooks doesn't like him - and there is no way he is going to want to stay (he and his agent have to be counting the days). We should trade him now to get some value for him.

I seriously doubt we'd get anything useful in return. Teams undervalue low usage, high efficiency players. And I think people underrate his defense because he is white. It really bugs me because Scott Brooks was also a scrappy, low-usage, efficient player who was an underrated defender. If anybody should recognize Sato's value, you'd think it might be Brooks.

I could see Ted trading him for raw cap space and a top 55 protected 2nd rounder, just to save $12M in salary plus luxtax fees.

yes, but - as Nat says, we have a mental midget coach. So even a second round pick and saving luxury tax money is better than watching him rot at the end of the bench. But, that is what will happen.

[nate33]

I’ve been seeing lots of tweets and even some articles written about Satoransky from other teams/fanbases. He’s no secret, he started 40 some games and his numbers as a starter were fantastic. The pelicans and thunder fans REALLY want him.

There is no reason to trade him, he’s one of the best guards in the NBA, he can play 3 positions, he’s a high character-no ego-great teammate that plays hard all the time. He can fit next to any type of player because he’s good at everything.

Fix the real problem, that is Scott Brooks. Play Satoransky 28 minutes a night at the 1-3, use him as your 6th man. Stop the nonsense.

You build championship teams out of players like Otto/Sato/Brown, high character unselfish guys that are willing to do whatever it takes to win. Brown and Sato will make an outstanding duo off the bench if used correctly.

A halfway intelligent coach would simply play him at the other guard spot next to Wall or Beal and have the best guard trio in the NBA, while also using him at the 3 at times.

For 3 million dollars, this guy gave us positive VORP, positive BPM, 5 win shares, 7th in RPM for shooting guards (top 50 in the NBA) 15 PER, >.600 TS%. 11-6-5-1 with less than 2 turnovers per 36.

You can’t find a better fit for a backup guard. Fire the mental midget of a coach

I just cannot fathom why he won't play Sato more. The guy does everything well except jack up ill-advised shots at a poor shooting percentage. He led the team in ORtg, TS% and 3P%. He led all of the non-bigs in 2P% and FG%. He was 2nd in WS/48. Among guys who played 1000 minutes or more, he was 2nd in AST% and 4th in STL%. He rebounded better than everyone else in the backcourt. His player pairs data shows that the team was really good whenever he was paired with anybody except Meeks.

[gtn130]

Yeah, it's almost as if Scott Brooks is a bad coach, and a front office signing him to a huge contract is an indictment of every person working in that front office.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

If Chris Paul willingly played some 2 guard, I'm not sure how any PG can reasonably complain about it.

That was just a complaint, my understanding is he was more irritated about not playing at all in the playoffs.

I mean he played well during the season, proved his ability to contribute, and helped get them there, then they bring in not one but two guys (Sessions and Lawson) to replace him.

[Ruzious]

If Chris Paul willingly played some 2 guard, I'm not sure how any PG can reasonably complain about it.

That was just a complaint, my understanding is he was more irritated about not playing at all in the playoffs.

I mean he played well during the season, proved his ability to contribute, and helped get them there, then they bring in not one but two guys (Sessions and Lawson) to replace him.

Yeah, that's a very valid complaint. And looking at the roster now, he better be the primary backup PG. He's certainly a better PG than Rivers is.

[leswizards]

As long as Wall is on the team, except in case of injury, there is never going to be more than 10 to 12 minutes per night for Sato at PG. I wish the starting lineup were Wall, Beal, Sato, Porter, and Howard, with Brooks using smart rotation patterns to get Sato his 10 to 12 minutes per night at backup PG, and playing him ~36 mpg overall. It probably will never happen though.

[WizarDynasty]

As long as Wall is on the team, except in case of injury, there is never going to be more than 10 to 12 minutes per night for Sato at PG. I wish the starting lineup were Wall, Beal, Sato, Porter, and Howard, with Brooks using smart rotation patterns to get Sato his 10 to 12 minutes per night at backup PG, and playing him ~36 mpg overall. It probably will never happen though.

Problem with SATA is that he has below average body control. He can stop and go, his legs are too weak and his knees are strong enough. Sato needs a clear line to the basket. You can't expect from him adjust his angle mid drive. he can't explode, stop on a dime, and force his defender to adjust his feet.
Sato can't control his opponent momentum and force his opponent into a recover catch up position. This is an essential skill needed for an above average offensive guard. Sato doesn't have lower leg strength to be elite offensively. He is not a starter on a championship team. never will be unless he develop stop and go and explosiveness offensively and he doesn't have that now. Beal and Wall do. Porter and Oubre don't. Maybe troy Brown has it?

[Ruzious]

As long as Wall is on the team, except in case of injury, there is never going to be more than 10 to 12 minutes per night for Sato at PG. I wish the starting lineup were Wall, Beal, Sato, Porter, and Howard, with Brooks using smart rotation patterns to get Sato his 10 to 12 minutes per night at backup PG, and playing him ~36 mpg overall. It probably will never happen though.

Wall said in his analysis of the offseason, it's very important that he (and others) get more rest this season, and he's right. As he said, it'll not only help him be more effective this season, it'll help extend his career. I think it's reasonable to conclude that the way Pops managed the minutes for Parker, Ginobili and Fundamental helped to extend their careers - and win more. Everyone wins... and eats.

[JWizmentality]

I hope "Staggering the lineup for Dummies" is among Brooks' reading material this summer.

[nate33]

I hope "Staggering the lineup for Dummies" is among Brooks' reading material this summer.

Fortunately, it probably won't be quite as necessary. With Rivers and Green (and a hopefully improved Oubre) on the 2nd unit, there is at least some shot creation ability to draw defensive attention and allow role players Sato and Mahinmi to play off the ball in a low usage capacity. Last year, the only bench player who could handle a reasonably high usage rate was Scott. Basically, things fell apart when neither Wall nor Beal was on the floor.

Don't get me wrong. I'd still like to see things staggered so that the time without both Wall and Beal on the court is minimized (maybe 3-4 minutes each half). I'm just saying the consequences of both being out probably won't be as dire.

I'd like to see our backcourt rotation go something like this:

First 7 minutes:
Wall
Beal

next 3 minutes
Wall
Sato

next 4 minutes
Rivers
Sato

next 3 minutes
Sato
Beal

next 7 minutes
Wall
Beal

Total minutes:
Wall 34
Beal 34
Sato 20
Rivers 8

And at all times, at least one of Wall, Beal or Rivers are on the court as a bailout shot creator option.

[JWizmentality]

I hope "Staggering the lineup for Dummies" is among Brooks' reading material this summer.

Fortunately, it probably won't be quite as necessary. With Rivers and Green (and a hopefully improved Oubre) on the 2nd unit, there is at least some shot creation ability to draw defensive attention and allow role players Sato and Mahinmi to play off the ball in a low usage capacity. Last year, the only bench player who could handle a reasonably high usage rate was Scott. Basically, things fell apart when neither Wall nor Beal was on the floor.

Don't get me wrong. I'd still like to see things staggered so that the time without both Wall and Beal on the court is minimized (maybe 3-4 minutes each half). I'm just saying the consequences of both being out probably won't be as dire.

I'd like to see our backcourt rotation go something like this:

First 7 minutes:
Wall
Beal

next 3 minutes
Wall
Sato

next 4 minutes
Rivers
Sato

next 3 minutes
Sato
Beal

next 7 minutes
Wall
Beal

Total minutes:
Wall 34
Beal 34
Sato 20
Rivers 8

And at all times, at least one of Wall, Beal or Rivers are on the court as a bailout shot creator option.

Cringe.

When are we going to get to the days of our best shooter (Otto) taking the shots that matter?

[papidulo]

I’ve been seeing lots of tweets and even some articles written about Satoransky from other teams/fanbases. He’s no secret, he started 40 some games and his numbers as a starter were fantastic. The pelicans and thunder fans REALLY want him.

There is no reason to trade him, he’s one of the best guards in the NBA, he can play 3 positions, he’s a high character-no ego-great teammate that plays hard all the time. He can fit next to any type of player because he’s good at everything.

Fix the real problem, that is Scott Brooks. Play Satoransky 28 minutes a night at the 1-3, use him as your 6th man. Stop the nonsense.

You build championship teams out of players like Otto/Sato/Brown, high character unselfish guys that are willing to do whatever it takes to win. Brown and Sato will make an outstanding duo off the bench if used correctly.

A halfway intelligent coach would simply play him at the other guard spot next to Wall or Beal and have the best guard trio in the NBA, while also using him at the 3 at times.

For 3 million dollars, this guy gave us positive VORP, positive BPM, 5 win shares, 7th in RPM for shooting guards (top 50 in the NBA) 15 PER, >.600 TS%. 11-6-5-1 with less than 2 turnovers per 36.

You can’t find a better fit for a backup guard. Fire the mental midget of a coach

I just cannot fathom why he won't play Sato more. The guy does everything well except jack up ill-advised shots at a poor shooting percentage. He led the team in ORtg, TS% and 3P%. He led all of the non-bigs in 2P% and FG%. He was 2nd in WS/48. Among guys who played 1000 minutes or more, he was 2nd in AST% and 4th in STL%. He rebounded better than everyone else in the backcourt. His player pairs data shows that the team was really good whenever he was paired with anybody except Meeks.

To me it was obvious why Sato got benched; the guy can’t score.

He was too timid to take shots, always looking to pass. He’s big but not quick, didn’t really post up smaller guards, and shoots a set jump shot. As bad as WAS’s Bench was last year, they needed a scorer off the bench, and Sato is more of a game manager than a scoring PG. If WAS had a guy like Lou Will off the bench, Sato would’ve fit perfect with him. Maybe with Rivers there to take shots, Sato will get more time, but as a reserve, Sato didn’t bring what WAS needed off the bench last year, which was bench scoring from the guard position.

[payitforward]

I’ve been seeing lots of tweets and even some articles written about Satoransky from other teams/fanbases. He’s no secret, he started 40 some games and his numbers as a starter were fantastic. The pelicans and thunder fans REALLY want him.

There is no reason to trade him, he’s one of the best guards in the NBA, he can play 3 positions, he’s a high character-no ego-great teammate that plays hard all the time. He can fit next to any type of player because he’s good at everything.

Fix the real problem, that is Scott Brooks. Play Satoransky 28 minutes a night at the 1-3, use him as your 6th man. Stop the nonsense.

You build championship teams out of players like Otto/Sato/Brown, high character unselfish guys that are willing to do whatever it takes to win. Brown and Sato will make an outstanding duo off the bench if used correctly.

A halfway intelligent coach would simply play him at the other guard spot next to Wall or Beal and have the best guard trio in the NBA, while also using him at the 3 at times.

For 3 million dollars, this guy gave us positive VORP, positive BPM, 5 win shares, 7th in RPM for shooting guards (top 50 in the NBA) 15 PER, >.600 TS%. 11-6-5-1 with less than 2 turnovers per 36.

You can’t find a better fit for a backup guard. Fire the mental midget of a coach

That's right on, Nat. Brooks is the textbook example of coaches not playing their best players. It happens more than you would think overall, but this is an extreme case.

When we see Rivers get a zillion minutes this year -- at Sato's expense -- it'll be all the more obvious.

[payitforward]

I hope "Staggering the lineup for Dummies" is among Brooks' reading material this summer.

...
Total minutes:
Wall 34
Beal 34
Sato 20
Rivers 8
..

That's my favorite part. But, you know it ain't going to happen. I'd guess right now they view Rivers as the primary backup at both 1 & 2.