Bobby Webster Press Conference Today (First as the Boss)

[Raptorfan2012]

My 4 take aways from this.

RJ is a goner.
They 100% know that Scottie doesn’t have the ability to be a #1.
A big trade will happen this season.
A lot of pressure on Shead and Gradey to provide real nba positive minutes.

100% agree with all of your points.

Bobby did not deny the RJ trade rumours and highlighted his lack of efficiency and lack of ability on the defensive end. Those are 2 things that will be difficult to change. I think he's gone before the end of the year.

Masai was a little too high on Scotties overall game. We can all agree his defense, passing and IQ is dominant but he does lack in scoring. That is where playing with Brandon should help the most.

I don't think there are too many people who thought Scottie can be a #1 on offense; he is more of a utility guy who can do a lot of things well; approaching Two-Way player. That is why it is so intriguing to see him play next to someone like Ingram who is much better at getting his own shot. Going to be a fun season.

[ConSarnit]

I'm not sure why people are inferring we are moving RJ.

He said it'll be easy to duck the tax.

He said RJ will likely bounce back from an efficiency perspective with a healthy roster and Ingram.

If he's an efficient downhill scorer. That's valuable. Hence, why he said it would increase his value... to the team.

He's also not tipping his hand either way and stating that some players will need to take value contracts (from a team perspective) to help build sufficient depth around max players. RJ, Jacob, Ochai, Dick... These guys need to take value contracts. Quickly needs to earn his money or take a lower rate next contract.

You’re missing the most important part about what Bobby said which is probably an indictment on how you truly feel about it.

His defence. They’re asking him to be good at something he’s never been good at, at any point in his career.

That’s a classic corporate move. Ask an employee to do something you clearly know they can’t do lol.

So basically when it comes to RJ...

Can't be good at defense.

Can't score efficiently as an offense first player.

Makes $28m/year.

And some people here expect a positive return for him in a trade?

[ConSarnit]

My 4 take aways from this.

RJ is a goner.
They 100% know that Scottie doesn’t have the ability to be a #1.
A big trade will happen this season.
A lot of pressure on Shead and Gradey to provide real nba positive minutes.

100% agree with all of your points.

Bobby did not deny the RJ trade rumours and highlighted his lack of efficiency and lack of ability on the defensive end. Those are 2 things that will be difficult to change. I think he's gone before the end of the year.

Masai was a little too high on Scotties overall game. We can all agree his defense, passing and IQ is dominant but he does lack in scoring. That is where playing with Brandon should help the most.

I don't think there are too many people who thought Scottie can be a #1 on offense; he is more of a utility guy who can do a lot of things well; approaching Two-Way player. That is why it is so intriguing to see him play next to someone like Ingram who is much better at getting his own shot. Going to be a fun season.

The front office gave him the max. I'm going to assume that means they thought he could be more than a utility player. The fact that we have to use the term "approaching" in regards to his 2-way game (after 4 seasons) is a big indictment of Barnes.

[mtcan]

100% agree with all of your points.

Bobby did not deny the RJ trade rumours and highlighted his lack of efficiency and lack of ability on the defensive end. Those are 2 things that will be difficult to change. I think he's gone before the end of the year.

Masai was a little too high on Scotties overall game. We can all agree his defense, passing and IQ is dominant but he does lack in scoring. That is where playing with Brandon should help the most.

I don't think there are too many people who thought Scottie can be a #1 on offense; he is more of a utility guy who can do a lot of things well; approaching Two-Way player. That is why it is so intriguing to see him play next to someone like Ingram who is much better at getting his own shot. Going to be a fun season.

The front office gave him the max. I'm going to assume that means they thought he could be more than a utility player. The fact that we have to use the term "approaching" in regards to his 2-way game (after 4 seasons) is a big indictment of Barnes.

The utility player projection is really just Scottie's floor. He still has a ceiling that I don't think we have seen him reach yet. How much better he get is all about the shooting.

[anotherhomer]

I don't think there are too many people who thought Scottie can be a #1 on offense; he is more of a utility guy who can do a lot of things well; approaching Two-Way player. That is why it is so intriguing to see him play next to someone like Ingram who is much better at getting his own shot. Going to be a fun season.

The front office gave him the max. I'm going to assume that means they thought he could be more than a utility player. The fact that we have to use the term "approaching" in regards to his 2-way game (after 4 seasons) is a big indictment of Barnes.

The utility player projection is really just Scottie's floor. He still has a ceiling that I don't think we have seen him reach yet. How much better he get is all about the shooting.

the max contract was on the belief that Barnes could be that franchise max player. he's yet to shown he can do that

more of a 30-35M guy so far, not a 45M guy

[Godaddycurse]

The front office gave him the max. I'm going to assume that means they thought he could be more than a utility player. The fact that we have to use the term "approaching" in regards to his 2-way game (after 4 seasons) is a big indictment of Barnes.

The utility player projection is really just Scottie's floor. He still has a ceiling that I don't think we have seen him reach yet. How much better he get is all about the shooting.

the max contract was on the belief that Barnes could be that franchise max player. he's yet to shown he can do that

more of a 30-35M guy so far, not a 45M guy

franchise max player is 30-35% of the cap. Barnes is 25%

need to stop referencing AAV when cap is growing these days

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

He’s max for his years in the league and it doesn’t change the point that it’s tough to pay a number 1 option level player and Scottie and find decent 3pt shooters and defenders to fill out the roster.

[causal_fan]

The utility player projection is really just Scottie's floor. He still has a ceiling that I don't think we have seen him reach yet. How much better he get is all about the shooting.

the max contract was on the belief that Barnes could be that franchise max player. he's yet to shown he can do that

more of a 30-35M guy so far, not a 45M guy

franchise max player is 30-35% of the cap. Barnes is 25%

need to stop referencing AAV when cap is growing these days

Whatever the % is, Barnes is overpaid for his production but that's standard practice for an overly generous FO.

[Badonkadonk]

the max contract was on the belief that Barnes could be that franchise max player. he's yet to shown he can do that

more of a 30-35M guy so far, not a 45M guy

franchise max player is 30-35% of the cap. Barnes is 25%

need to stop referencing AAV when cap is growing these days

Whatever the % is, Barnes is overpaid for his production but that's standard practice for an overly generous FO.

It's the % that allows you to baseline, not the absolute $.

People think IQ is overpaid, completely ignoring the fact that he signed a flat (non-escalating) deal. This season, he is the 20th highest paid PG by AAV and this will continue to decline as a % of the cap (21% of cap this season, 15.4% in the final year).

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/contracts/_/position/pg

Scottie's deal will be an issue if he plays poorly in a competitive role that demands a narrower focus (eg. no more trying to perfect your pull-up 3s in game unless it's a blowout).

[VanWest82]

IQ/RJ/BI isn't salvageable defensively vs. the best teams, so someone's probably getting traded (hint: not the guys making 35-40M), but we shouldn't rule out the offense working so well that they decide to ride it into next off season, especially if Dick/JKW/Ochai don't make a leap. We're way better off finding winning culture again given where we're at in the rebuild. This team desperately needs to develop some assets.

[ConSarnit]

The front office gave him the max. I'm going to assume that means they thought he could be more than a utility player. The fact that we have to use the term "approaching" in regards to his 2-way game (after 4 seasons) is a big indictment of Barnes.

The utility player projection is really just Scottie's floor. He still has a ceiling that I don't think we have seen him reach yet. How much better he get is all about the shooting.

the max contract was on the belief that Barnes could be that franchise max player. he's yet to shown he can do that

more of a 30-35M guy so far, not a 45M guy

I will say that I do believe he can still reach “worth his contract”. If he can reach league average efficiency scoring and become an all-defense level player that’s probably worth the 25% max. His shooting is teetering on lost cause.

[ConSarnit]

IQ/RJ/BI isn't salvageable defensively vs. the best teams, so someone's probably getting traded (hint: not the guys making 35-40M), but we shouldn't rule out the offense working so well that they decide to ride it into next off season, especially if Dick/JKW/Ochai don't make a leap. We're way better off finding winning culture again given where we're at in the rebuild. This team desperately needs to develop some assets.

What’s the definition of “well” on offense? Almost every top 10 offensive team has either a) a high level creator/scorer (someone clearly above the Ingram tier) or b) gets spacing from its 4 or 5. We don’t have an elite driver of offense and we have some of, if not, the worst spacing in the league from our starting 4/5.

We’re probably looking at another season of below average 3pt shooting. Middling free throw drawing. Probably below average in TO’s if we’re still invested in a ball movement style. Maybe we can make up some points in transition.

We don’t really have the bones of a good offense as far the modern NBA goes. It’s tough to see what we’re going to hang our hat on offensively.

[VanWest82]

IQ/RJ/BI isn't salvageable defensively vs. the best teams, so someone's probably getting traded (hint: not the guys making 35-40M), but we shouldn't rule out the offense working so well that they decide to ride it into next off season, especially if Dick/JKW/Ochai don't make a leap. We're way better off finding winning culture again given where we're at in the rebuild. This team desperately needs to develop some assets.

What’s the definition of “well” on offense? Almost every top 10 offensive team has either a) a high level creator/scorer (someone clearly above the Ingram tier) or b) gets spacing from its 4 or 5. We don’t have an elite driver of offense and we have some of, if not, the worst spacing in the league from our starting 4/5.

We’re probably looking at another season of below average 3pt shooting. Middling free throw drawing. Probably below average in TO’s if we’re still invested in a ball movement style. Maybe we can make up some points in transition.

We don’t really have the bones of a good offense as far the modern NBA goes. It’s tough to see what we’re going to hang our hat on offensively.

Our starting line up features four guys who can all shoot, pass, and dribble, and they can all play on or off the ball. Poeltl is a really good compliment to that as a screener and short roll decision maker. I predict a lot of open and wide open shots if guys gel.

Shead will be limiting off the bench. They'll want to upgrade that spot if we start off well. I think our shooting will be better than people think.

[anotherhomer]

The utility player projection is really just Scottie's floor. He still has a ceiling that I don't think we have seen him reach yet. How much better he get is all about the shooting.

the max contract was on the belief that Barnes could be that franchise max player. he's yet to shown he can do that

more of a 30-35M guy so far, not a 45M guy

I will say that I do believe he can still reach “worth his contract”. If he can reach league average efficiency scoring and become an all-defense level player that’s probably worth the 25% max. His shooting is teetering on lost cause.

I think that could happen if either a) his shooting improves to 3rd year or he sticks to his shot diet in thr first 2 year

[ConSarnit]

IQ/RJ/BI isn't salvageable defensively vs. the best teams, so someone's probably getting traded (hint: not the guys making 35-40M), but we shouldn't rule out the offense working so well that they decide to ride it into next off season, especially if Dick/JKW/Ochai don't make a leap. We're way better off finding winning culture again given where we're at in the rebuild. This team desperately needs to develop some assets.

What’s the definition of “well” on offense? Almost every top 10 offensive team has either a) a high level creator/scorer (someone clearly above the Ingram tier) or b) gets spacing from its 4 or 5. We don’t have an elite driver of offense and we have some of, if not, the worst spacing in the league from our starting 4/5.

We’re probably looking at another season of below average 3pt shooting. Middling free throw drawing. Probably below average in TO’s if we’re still invested in a ball movement style. Maybe we can make up some points in transition.

We don’t really have the bones of a good offense as far the modern NBA goes. It’s tough to see what we’re going to hang our hat on offensively.

Our starting line up features four guys who can all shoot, pass, and dribble, and they can all play on or off the ball. Poeltl is a really good compliment to that as a screener and short roll decision maker. I predict a lot of open and wide open shots if guys gel.

Shead will be limiting off the bench. They'll want to upgrade that spot if we start off well. I think our shooting will be better than people think.

IQ, Barrett and Ingram

Who is the fourth guy?

I’m sorry, but Barnes shooting decently from 10-16ft does not compensate for his putrid shooting outside of 16ft. Also, how is Barnes a good off ball player? His cut volume (and ppp) is low. He doesn’t screen. And he definitely doesn’t space the floor. On the whole RJ is a below average off ball player when you consider the shooting teams normally expect from their SG (the highest volume and fg% 3pt shooting position). If Mamu can’t hold up (I’d say it’s 50/50 he’s actually playable) we’re looking at backup bigs of CMB and Mogbo. That would give us by far the worse shooting front court rotation in the league.

[ConSarnit]

the max contract was on the belief that Barnes could be that franchise max player. he's yet to shown he can do that

more of a 30-35M guy so far, not a 45M guy

I will say that I do believe he can still reach “worth his contract”. If he can reach league average efficiency scoring and become an all-defense level player that’s probably worth the 25% max. His shooting is teetering on lost cause.

I think that could happen if either a) his shooting improves to 3rd year or he sticks to his shot diet in thr first 2 year

The further we get away from it the more it looks like Barnes shooting in year 3 was a fluke. He was hot from 3 for about 20 games.

Barnes 3pt shooting ‘23/24:

Oct-Nov: 39/102: 38%

Dec-Apr: 65/201: 32%

Last season he had 1 single month shooting above 29% from 3, and that was April (where he played 5 games).

We need to cut his shot diet down until he can prove he can make shots.

[MEDIC]

I'm just going to watch them until the new year & see how the offense looks. It will be fun to dissect things. As far as I am concerned, it's a clean slate for everyone.

I am far less concerned about the offense than the defense. If Darko can get these guys playing like a top 10 defensive team, they should be a .500+ team & possibly 6th seed.

[WuTang_CMB]

I'm just going to watch them until the new year & see how the offense looks. It will be fun to dissect things. As far as I am concerned, it's a clean slate for everyone.

I am far less concerned about the offense than the defense. If Darko can get these guys playing like a top 10 defensive team, they should be a .500+ team & possibly 6th seed.

I think the defense is real. Last season they improved a lot as season progressed. Even if the teams they were playing were below .500, I still am confident they will be a solid defensive team this season. Lets see if they can get top 7 for the whole year.

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

I'm just going to watch them until the new year & see how the offense looks. It will be fun to dissect things. As far as I am concerned, it's a clean slate for everyone.

I am far less concerned about the offense than the defense. If Darko can get these guys playing like a top 10 defensive team, they should be a .500+ team & possibly 6th seed.

I think the defense is real. Last season they improved a lot as season progressed. Even if the teams they were playing were below .500, I still am confident they will be a solid defensive team this season. Lets see if they can get top 7 for the whole year.

I think it’s kind of ridiculous and a telling waste of time and seriousness to try and build your identity (defense) off the guys who don’t play. Our identity will be the guys that do play meaningful minutes. And right now it’s a poor shooting - poor attacking with 2/5ths to 3/5ths poor defenders and 3 below average ft shooters. Poeltl shoots ft too portly too play late for serious teams but we’re so far away from that that it’s not really even an issue for us. These are just the things that stand out to me.

[WuTang_CMB]

I'm just going to watch them until the new year & see how the offense looks. It will be fun to dissect things. As far as I am concerned, it's a clean slate for everyone.

I am far less concerned about the offense than the defense. If Darko can get these guys playing like a top 10 defensive team, they should be a .500+ team & possibly 6th seed.

I think the defense is real. Last season they improved a lot as season progressed. Even if the teams they were playing were below .500, I still am confident they will be a solid defensive team this season. Lets see if they can get top 7 for the whole year.

I think it’s kind of ridiculous and a telling waste of time and seriousness to try and build your identity (defense) off the guys who don’t play. Our identity will be the guys that do play meaningful minutes. And right now it’s a poor shooting - poor attacking with 2/5ths to 3/5ths poor defenders and 3 below average ft shooters. Poeltl shoots ft too portly too play late for serious teams but we’re so far away from that that it’s not really even an issue for us. These are just the things that stand out to me.

The team is going 10-11 guys deep every night as admitted by Darko. We aren't playing Nick Nurse basketball anymore. That means the entire team needs to come in with high effort and alertness on the defensive end or they will lose minutes to the next guy. I think it makes perfect sense for a team like this who wants to make a jump.