khans2k5 wrote:Jimmy is doubtful for Thursday. Honestly it would be the dumbest thing ever if he sat Thursday and played Friday given the stakes. Needs to be the other way around or he should sit out both because one night isn't making that big of a difference for his injury.
Both Teague and Rose are questionable... and with the 14th pick in the NBA draft the Minnesota Timberwolves take... start the thread...
Yup, not looking good. And let's hope we draft someone that actually gives a crap about defense for once....
Since you are assuming we miss the playoffs shouldn't you be hoping for 2-3 someone's? Also Tyus Jones is a guy we drafted recently that seems to care about defense. Who woulda thunk it right?
I'm mostly thinking of KAT, Wiggins, LaVine, Shabazz, and Patton. I know folks believe Wiggins has made strides on defense, but I still think he's a crappy overall team defender (he's always been pretty good in isolation defense).
But yeah, Tyus has been a pleasant surprise on that side of the ball. But there is only so much a PG can do. Your wings and bigs really have to lead the charge on defense. Without Butler, we have been by far the league's worst defense. Jamaal Crawford isn't the only reason for that!
khans2k5 wrote:Jimmy is doubtful for Thursday. Honestly it would be the dumbest thing ever if he sat Thursday and played Friday given the stakes. Needs to be the other way around or he should sit out both because one night isn't making that big of a difference for his injury.
Both Teague and Rose are questionable... and with the 14th pick in the NBA draft the Minnesota Timberwolves take... start the thread...
Yup, not looking good. And let's hope we draft someone that actually gives a crap about defense for once....
Since you are assuming we miss the playoffs shouldn't you be hoping for 2-3 someone's? Also Tyus Jones is a guy we drafted recently that seems to care about defense. Who woulda thunk it right?
I'm mostly thinking of KAT, Wiggins, LaVine, Shabazz, and Patton. I know folks believe Wiggins has made strides on defense, but I still think he's a crappy overall team defender (he's always been pretty good in isolation defense).
But yeah, Tyus has been a pleasant surprise on that side of the ball. But there is only so much a PG can do. Your wings and bigs really have to lead the charge on defense. Without Butler, we have been by far the league's worst defense. Jamaal Crawford isn't the only reason for that!
No doubt we haven't done well drafting and or developing guys on the defensive side of the ball.
I know you don't like Patton but I think it's a bit unfair to roll him in there already when he hasn't even played yet. It wasn't that long ago people were saying Belly was never gonna be a good defender was soft etc and he has turned into a pretty solid player even defensively ...interestingly under Thibs. Of course it could be natural progression for him and Tyus but it's kinda interesting 2 guys that weren't considered part of the equation defensively when Thibs took over are at the very least 2 guys that can probably be said aren't the problem. Of course then there is Dieng who has just really struggled this season in general.
With Wiggins I think it's fair to have some skepticism as long as there is some credit to him for improving. I think his effort and his team defense have taken some worthwhile strides the last 20-30 games. His effort was up for more games than that. Plus his post defense and D against bigger players is miles ahead of where it was in previous years where he was essentially helpless. Wiggins and Towns need to be on a team that's at least middle of the pack defensively before they are gonna get too much credit for any improvement whether real or just perceived.
I know he is still a flyer type player that hasn't proved anything but I still have some hope for MGH as one of those guys that can actually Play D and do enough to help you on the floor to be worthwhile. We have to find at least one worthwhile player like that if this team wants to be really good. Maybe it won't be him but we need to find someone.
On Patton, it is early, but you can't teach guys motor or toughness. I've seen this play out time and time again with guys over the years. These aren't things that are developed. Our best hope is he becomes a poor man's Lamarcus Aldridge (who I think has always been a bit soft), but that would require that he puts on weight and develops way better fundamentals.
With Tyus, I was concerned mostly about his physical profile when it came to defense. He's obviously become stronger and also is very skilled in terms of anticipation.
Bjelly isn't very good on defense. Again, if we had all these average to above average defenders there is no way we would be as bad as we are. We can't blame it all on Crawford and Dieng.
Wiggins has his moments, but he is one of the common threads in a team that has been at the bottom of the barrel ever since he was a rookie. Same with Dieng. Same with KAT. None of these guys have good defensive ratings unless they play with KG/Prince or Butler/Gibson. A vet wing and a vet big brought in from outside the organization are the only things that have brought this team up on defense. None of the guys Flip or Thibs drafted (and kept) have done anything to drive our defense upward.
Yup, not looking good. And let's hope we draft someone that actually gives a crap about defense for once....
Since you are assuming we miss the playoffs shouldn't you be hoping for 2-3 someone's? Also Tyus Jones is a guy we drafted recently that seems to care about defense. Who woulda thunk it right?
But yeah, Tyus has been a pleasant surprise on that side of the ball. But there is only so much a PG can do. Your wings and bigs really have to lead the charge on defense. Without Butler, we have been by far the league's worst defense. Jamaal Crawford isn't the only reason for that!
