tamaraw08 wrote:lazybatman wrote:tamaraw08 wrote:
Don't bring up him being played as a PF for his poor ball handling bro. It's not the damn 90s. If he wants to dribble, he's gotta take care of the ball - PERIOD!
The point I'm making is that shouldn't he be expected to be working on those traits(ball handling, strength, shooting, decision making and defensive technique) improving in the off season and during the season. I'm questioning his work ethic, his drive to be better, to be great? He just hasn't improved one bit on those fatal flaws in his game. Compare him to a way less skilled Caruso and THT and their trajectory of growth during the same time. I'm absolutely clamoring for Caruso to get starter minutes and THT to get at least 15-18 mins/game. Kuz, on the other hand, has regressed from a player who showed a lot of offensive potential, to a borderline liability who wants a big payday that he doesn't deserve.
Lebron & Kobe didn't become great by posing for photos.. they are probably two of the most hard working players in any sport. No short cuts.
I think Vogel just might start him as a guard with Schroeder this year, if Wes doesn't impress enough. They should wanna give him as many minutes as possible for multiple reasons -
- to find out more about him before they pay him at the end of the season, since he sounds pretty content to not re-sign on the terms offered to him, based on his interviews in the past week
- to simply give him more opportunity to prove himself, since a long 3-D wing is theee most rare and precious commodity in the NBA today. It is in the Lakers' interest to see him develop into an efficient 15-17 ppg dude, who can defend well. He will rightfully command a 18-20m/Y contract that he thinks he already deserves.
- Worst case and most likely scenario - inflate his numbers / value for a possible trade down the line, cos we don't wanna pay him.
not the 90's? ok then give me a list of natural PF's who improved on their handles the past 15 years or so? Kevin Love? Nance Jr?Markkanen? who? even the old vet SGs like KCP, Danny Green don't have great handles.
You mentioned Lebron and Kobe don't pose for photos, ok, NOBODY can measure up to them, I just wonder how you felt about Shaq gaining weight, making movies and rap albums while failing to improve on his FT shooting. And btw, how sure are you that he didn't work on his game? Sure he'll make the dumb pass and fail to rotate occasionally but the guy has been spotting open teammates and has improved on his defensive stance as was showed by the video I shared. The only glaring weakness right now is his consistency in 3pt shooting. Fatal flaw? really? you really think Vogel would put up with that? He put Cook and Daniels in his dog house, which could have displayed that Rob was a fool in signing them, which shows, the would make decisions on what's best for the team.
So you think he's fine the way he is? 11th man on this team does his talent justice? Would you really want him on court instead of anyone other than Cook, Dud & Mckinnie in the clutch? Even his new deal is based on potential, cos he was in no way, shape or form = KCP last year.
I'm not ignorant to the fact that Shaq, Kobe and Lebron had a godly level of talent, but he can be as good as Zack Lavine / Aaron Gordon level. I don't understand you defending his lack work ethic mate?
Some of those things can be improved if he puts in the work over one summer. Ball handling & strength are the simplest / most straightforward of the lot. If he can confidently drive in and learns a couple of new moves to beat his defender, he's got great finishing touch to add an easy 8-10 points a game with that.