d-train wrote:GEE wrote:I'm just saying that trading GTJ and Hood (as I said in the NP trade thread) gets rid of some big distractions about players' futures with this team. I think Olshey may have wanted to stick with the roster he had built, but making the trade, thinned out the heard and got rid of any distraction there may have been in regards to players current roles. CJ can now relax as a result, knowing Gary will no longer be talked about as a good replacement if CJ were traded.
I also feel come the end of this season, Olshey would have made a choice between Hood or Jones Jr, moving one or the other. Again, I think these are factors in deciding to do this trade. It clears up any sharing of playing time issues the players may have had, or concerns over ever moving CJ. Thins the heard and if Powell is indeed an upgrade, and as long as he doesn't require the starting SF spot, I'm all for it. Just don't play small.
Dame / CJ / Powell / (Simons)
Nurkic / Kanter / (Giles)
ROCO / Melo / Jones Jr / (Little)(RHJ)
The only logical argument you are making is you don't like our small lineup, you don't like small ball. I understand that. A conventional lineup is a better goal if it's possible. The best lineup is what yields the best chance to win. Our lineup was small before the Powell trade and it's still small. It's a better small lineup because Powell brings more skills to make it work than either GTJ or Hood brought.
Small is what we have. Small is how many teams go these days. I would rather go small against AD with RoCo, than match size with a stiff that can barely play. I would rather go small against LeBron, than match size with a player that can't do anything that beats LeBron. Today's coaches are less concerned with convention and more concerned with having a game plan that has a chance to win. And, the NBA's new rules and how rules are enforced favor smaller lineups.
Your theory about CJ and Olshey is just strange. Powell is closer to filling CJ's shoes than GTJ, so Powell will likely fuel more dumb CJ trade ideas. I suspect Olshey doesn't care.
Trading Hood doesn't hurt or help at removing PT issues. Little and Simons aren't going to be happy with their roles and PT untill they are starters. And, with Powell in the lineup, there is less of a role and PT for Little and Simons.
No... Actually I mentioned the word "small" only once, though it was the last word. The point you are missing, is that I simply believe there was more to this trade, than just Olshey acquiring Powell for GTJ and Hood as a mere talent upgrade, as you are suggesting. Mainly... it makes the stars of our team more comfortable, and never considered Little or Simons. My suggesting that Dame, CJ and Melo may have had some sway in this trade decision seems perfectly "logical" to me. Also, why is it a conspiracy to simply see how happy Melo is with this trade.
You clearly are in favor of a small line-up, with your above comments, and seem fine with Powell starting at SF. I have just been clear, and unpopular, with my thinking it's a recipe for disaster. I have embraced all likelihood that Dame and CJ aren't going anywhere so we will always be a small-ball lineup, so I've tried to look for the best combinations of players we have, while still running a balanced rotation ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FLOOR. The line-up I show is evidence of that, and the unused formula for winning.
GTJ is a freakin pest on D, and Hood at 6'8, was at least 6'8 with a deadly 3 pointer. They were two players, with Duke-smarts, that anchored our squad while Nurkic and CJ were out, and had borderline starting ability on this team or any other in the league. Watch Toronto keep Hood and GTJ, and possibly start them next year, while we get a rental of Powell. Trade value can be debated, but that really wasn't my point.
Simply... Hood being gone makes Melo happy. GTJ being gone makes CJ happy. Dame has the Power over anyone else, including Olshey. And, Powell must be challenged by Stotts to come off the bench, or the trade won't work, as evidenced by the 1st quarter of the Clippers game... total annihilation.