kg01 wrote:shakes0 wrote:kg01 wrote:
Ah, I hear you. I absolutely have that concern with Ball. Less so with Haliburton and Hayes who both seem (keyword "seem") like team players.
Also kinda illustrates one reason why I want us to trade out. There's nobody good enough to be a lock starter but, as lotto picks, all could walk in the door with the attitude of one.
totally agree. Hayes and Haliburton would be seem to be less of a concern in that regard than Ball, but we really have no idea if that's true or not. I gotta believe, team player or not, no one wants to start their career on a team where a young superstar plays your position. for me, this is more of a concern with lead guards and centers as opposed to wing players who are more interchangeable.
I think a guy like Toppin would probably be the best fit of any player in the draft. He'd come right in and be a productive player at a position where we definitely need more depth. And coming from Dayton and being a zero star recruit out of high school, I doubt he has a problem coming to a team where he has to earn his place.
I like Toppin, in general, too.
I think I have the same issue with him that you have on the guards though. He seems like a Collins-lite and he'd come here as a sure backup. Basically college POY ... to a backup? I guess that could sit well with him but I can imagine that also being a tough pill to swallow.
It's different for a lead guard though. They have to have the ball in their hands and they want to run the offense. Only room for one person on the floor at a time with that job description and we already have a super star.
Toppin is a 4, but doesn't need the ball in his hand like a lead guard. he just needs minutes. There's more minutes for him since he can back up Collins or play next to Collins when we go small. can also play the 3 and play next to Collins/Capella. So lots more options for a guy like that as opposed to a guy who is used to initiating the offense.
As far as college POY accepting being a backup, it happens more times than you think. Jalen Brunson, Frank Mason, Buddy Hield, Frank Kaminsky, Doug McDermot. In fact, Zion is the only one to not come off the bench in the past 7 years.
I think Toppin has "team player" written all over him just from his humble ascensions.