GymRat wrote:I enjoyed the read Cam. As Steve points out it is a small sample, but I think he hits on a few key points. Thad as a full-time PF will force him to do things he just can't manage in the West, but moving him between SF/PF depending on matchups can be supremely advantageous given his athleticism.
Maybe the only thing I had issue with was his poke at Dieng about going for blocks and leaving Thad to block out 2 bigger guys. Often times Dieng is caught going for the help block on a guy Thad ole'd to the hoop by way of a failed steal attempt, leaving nobody to box out.
While that's true some of the time, Dieng has to usually help because of a perimeter defender getting caught up in a screen or getting burned off the dribble.
I am really interested in seeing this bigger front line over an extended period of time. We've stayed competitive with OKC and Atlanta. Now let's see how we do against a more middle-of-the road team in Boston.
GymRat wrote:I enjoyed the read Cam. As Steve points out it is a small sample, but I think he hits on a few key points. Thad as a full-time PF will force him to do things he just can't manage in the West, but moving him between SF/PF depending on matchups can be supremely advantageous given his athleticism.
Maybe the only thing I had issue with was his poke at Dieng about going for blocks and leaving Thad to block out 2 bigger guys. Often times Dieng is caught going for the help block on a guy Thad ole'd to the hoop by way of a failed steal attempt, leaving nobody to box out.
While that's true some of the time, Dieng has to usually help because of a perimeter defender getting caught up in a screen or getting burned off the dribble.
I am really interested in seeing this bigger front line over an extended period of time. We've stayed competitive with OKC and Atlanta. Now let's see how we do against a more middle-of-the road team in Boston.
That's a very good point Q. I was emphasizing just one side of the picture, and should have also considered guard penetration as a reason for Thad being outmanned underneath. We see Dieng get pulled away from his position for so many reasons, it's a wonder that Gorgui or Thad are ever in position to make an impact defensively.
GymRat wrote:I enjoyed the read Cam. As Steve points out it is a small sample, but I think he hits on a few key points. Thad as a full-time PF will force him to do things he just can't manage in the West, but moving him between SF/PF depending on matchups can be supremely advantageous given his athleticism.
Maybe the only thing I had issue with was his poke at Dieng about going for blocks and leaving Thad to block out 2 bigger guys. Often times Dieng is caught going for the help block on a guy Thad ole'd to the hoop by way of a failed steal attempt, leaving nobody to box out.
While that's true some of the time, Dieng has to usually help because of a perimeter defender getting caught up in a screen or getting burned off the dribble.
I am really interested in seeing this bigger front line over an extended period of time. We've stayed competitive with OKC and Atlanta. Now let's see how we do against a more middle-of-the road team in Boston.
That's a very good point Q. I was emphasizing just one side of the picture, and should have also considered guard penetration as a reason for Thad being outmanned underneath. We see Dieng get pulled away from his position for so many reasons, it's a wonder that Gorgui or Thad are ever in position to make an impact defensively.
Yeah, the Young-Dieng PF/C pairing just doesn't work in the Western Conference (not sure it would work in the Eastern Conference either). Even if we had decent perimeter defense, these two guys are simply outgunned most nights by bigger and/or more athletic matchups. Thad either needs to come off the bench as a small-ball PF or start at SF. Same thing with Dieng. He should either start at PF or come off the bench as a backup C. I like what Flip is doing here - we'll see if it actually results in any wins.
Yeah, I liked the article too. While I'm still not sold on Gorgui at PF, I am intrigued by the big front line too, and Thad has certainly responded well to the SF position. I still prefer Muhammad at SF over Thad, but having Thad on the bench as a guy who can back up either forward position is a nice situation for Flip to have.
longstrangetrip wrote:Yeah, I liked the article too. While I'm still not sold on Gorgui at PF, I am intrigued by the big front line too, and Thad has certainly responded well to the SF position. I still prefer Muhammad at SF over Thad, but having Thad on the bench as a guy who can back up either forward position is a nice situation for Flip to have.
Totally agree on this as the ideal role for Thad. But 9 mil for a second unit 3/4 seems crazy no?
longstrangetrip wrote:Yeah, I liked the article too. While I'm still not sold on Gorgui at PF, I am intrigued by the big front line too, and Thad has certainly responded well to the SF position. I still prefer Muhammad at SF over Thad, but having Thad on the bench as a guy who can back up either forward position is a nice situation for Flip to have.
Totally agree on this as the ideal role for Thad. But 9 mil for a second unit 3/4 seems crazy no?
It is crazy, but that doesn't mean you don't do it. He'd still play 30 MPG. I just think he'd be flat out more effective, and therefore more valuable, as a super-sub (as much as Cam cringes at that idea) off the bench. Iggy, Ginobilli, Harden, Crawford...There is a long and illustrious line of 6th men that were/are major impact players off the bench.
longstrangetrip wrote:Yeah, I liked the article too. While I'm still not sold on Gorgui at PF, I am intrigued by the big front line too, and Thad has certainly responded well to the SF position. I still prefer Muhammad at SF over Thad, but having Thad on the bench as a guy who can back up either forward position is a nice situation for Flip to have.
Totally agree on this as the ideal role for Thad. But 9 mil for a second unit 3/4 seems crazy no?
It is crazy, but that doesn't mean you don't do it. He'd still play 30 MPG. I just think he'd be flat out more effective, and therefore more valuable, as a super-sub (as much as Cam cringes at that idea) off the bench. Iggy, Ginobilli, Harden, Crawford...There is a long and illustrious line of 6th men that were/are major impact players off the bench.
OK. But we all agree that Thad is wayyyyyyy behind Iggy, Ginobilli, and Harden in terms of talent. He may be on par with Crawford who is 5 mil per. 9mil is a waste of resources for Thad even playing to his strengths and giving him a proper role.
