nate33 wrote:Yeah, I like Barton too - particularly on the 2nd unit as the Beal replacement. My concern is that Wes will play him too many SF minutes to the detriment of Avdija and Kispert. Even if Barton is currently better than those guys, the fact is, he's a one-year rental and not part of the future. But as long as Avdija and Kispert get minutes, I'm happy with Barton.
Avdija is starting even with Barton on the team. Kispert earned his way onto the floor last year. Unseld is a brainy guy, surrounded by analytical experts including the Godfather Dr Laurence Dean Oliver, master of stats. I fully expect Wes sees what everyone else does. Kispert has a nice effect on court, efficient shooting, smart cuts, easy to plug in to line-ups for actual instant offense and spacing. He doesn't need the ball to produce where Beal, Kuzma, and Barton all do. If Kispert's defense improves the real question would be if he cuts into starters minutes in some way. Not that he'd be starting, but giving the Coach an option to sub him in early and often.
I think Rui will likely be the odd man out if minutes need to be trimmed to fit one or the other. In game 1 he was running headfirst into traffic every trip down the court on offense. He may be more aggressive and assertive in pick-up games over the summer, looks good in practice, but who plays defense in summer ball? Coaches like their pet plays and sets, Rui was not playing team ball and found himself largely benched late in the game. In favor of 5th string forward Gill.
In addition KP is sure to need rest, Gafford has foul issues, I'd bet we see Kuzma as a small ball center at points in the same role as Porzingis (high post passer, shooter, roll threat). In that set we can run with 3 forwards or hell, 4 of them.
Wright -- point of attack defender
Kispert -- spacing, smart cuts
Deni -- playmaker, good defensive synergy with Wright
Rui -- spacing, aggressive offense
Kuz -- rebounding, playmaking, blow-by speed vs Centers and big forwards.
This would be a long strong defensive set with good spacing and switchability. Which helps Rui since he gets lost on any pick already. In this set Kuz can be aggressive and take that leadership role he envisions for himself. Knowing he will be a focal point means teams will load up on him, which frees up Kispert, Rui, and Wright for open shots.
At 31 with many minutes behind him, Barton is at an age where load management comes into play. His play style is to stay active and put pressure on defenders, high energy high activity. It is smart to transition him to a 6th man role, will prolong his career, and keep him healthy. He already had back issues on the trip to Japan.
There will be minutes to be played for everybody at some point. Except maybe Isaiah Todd and the G-Leaguers. Unless the team is smart and decides to strategically tank under the guise of getting developmental minutes for young players. Now that Beal is inked, there may be less pressure to prove to him we are a winning franchise, and while Ted can say all he wants about 'never tank' etc., that's nice, looks good in the news articles, but again, Wes and Tommy are both smart guys. If you see line-ups that make no sense and we give up big runs to an Indiana team that is missing both Centers, say, consider that it might not be an accident.
Here are the #9 picks from 2012-2021:
