Wolves/Clips: So we're not gonna play shabazz or a Pek/Dieng combo

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Cam, I think Dieng has already proven that he is starter-worthy material. The question is how we handle him and Pek going forward. There are plenty of options, one of which Adelman has yet to experiment with yet, and that's playing them at the 5 and 4, which would allow Dieng to play more minutes off the bench. We could also contemplate bringing Pek off the bench for instant offense. It would also limit his minutes and allow Dieng to be more aggressive defensively by not having to worry about fouling since he'd have Pek backing him up. Or we could trade Pek for a wing. Just lots of options, which is a good thing.

Bazz on the other hand is a different question. One thing we don't really know yet about him is how good of a long-range shooter and defender he is. The sample size is just too small. If he can help space the floor and improve defensively, he might very well be good enough to start some day. I really thought he'd be a bust, but it's increasingly looking like he belongs in the league. It's just a matter of how much he improves from here on out.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

Dieng and Shabazz have potential to be starters on this team. I actually do believe that.

on a good team? Deing yes, bazz no

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Dieng and Shabazz have potential to be starters on this team. I actually do believe that.

on a good team? Deing yes, bazz no

Let's hear the argument. Why can't Bazz be a starting SF on a good team? Why does he not have the potential to be that? 21-year old player who when given significant minutes has been impressive.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Wow, that was just a bullshit effort by our starters tonight. I know Love put up some decent numbers, but this is the second night in a row that he's either mailed it in or "not felt quite right". His defense was atrocious. Same with Martin. Rubio was off tonight too. Adelman was absolutely right to sit their asses down for the entire 4th quarter. I know our starters have been terrific for most of the season, but it's disappointing to see them pretty much give up. At least try to end the season on a high note.....

On the bright side, all three of our rookies played very well: Hummel, Dieng, and Shabazz.

Yes, they did. And Bud played very well tonight, on both ends of the court. I was pleasantly surprised. They only credited him with 1 assist, but I would have sworn he had more...really moved the ball well. As he continues to come back from knee surgeries, I'm convinced he can make a solid contribution next year.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

Dieng and Shabazz have potential to be starters on this team. I actually do believe that.

on a good team? Deing yes, bazz no

Let's hear the argument. Why can't Bazz be a starting SF on a good team? Why does he not have the potential to be that? 21-year old player who when given significant minutes has been impressive.

doesn't pass, doesn't defend

[kms789 [enjin:6694798]]

I don't have a problem with bringing rookies along slowly and giving the benefit of the doubt to more established vets. I just think Adelman strung it out too long and too sparingly. If our bench was already very good, then fine. But that was never the case this year.

I agree a little with Dieng, but I also think Adelman and his staff should get credit, not fault, for Dieng looking totally different than he did earlier this season. Obviously, most of the credit goes to Dieng, but you get what I mean.

I'm not convinced with Shabazz. He has strengths, but some huge flaws, so it shouldn't be a problem for Adelman to keep him on a short leash and work on those flaws. In fact, that's exactly what he should be doing. We're not Philly, after all

[Porckchop]

Does anyone else wish Adelman would bow out now and let someone else take over to finish out the season. If he had any sense of urgency about making the playoffs he woulda mixed up rotations 20 games ago. It seems to me he mailed in the season sooner then the players did. If he wants out find a way to gracefully let him go. Let an assistant come in and play the heck out of players that are producing.
Might as well start the process of finding our coach now so he can start focusing on the draft.

[kms789 [enjin:6694798]]

Dieng and Shabazz have potential to be starters on this team. I actually do believe that.

on a good team? Deing yes, bazz no

Let's hear the argument. Why can't Bazz be a starting SF on a good team? Why does he not have the potential to be that? 21-year old player who when given significant minutes has been impressive.

doesn't pass, doesn't defend

Dieng and Shabazz have potential to be starters on this team. I actually do believe that.

on a good team? Deing yes, bazz no

Let's hear the argument. Why can't Bazz be a starting SF on a good team? Why does he not have the potential to be that? 21-year old player who when given significant minutes has been impressive.

doesn't pass, doesn't defend

Also, only uses left hand, almost all of his offense comes from the left block, and he shoots at a rate that rivals Durant.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Dieng and Shabazz have potential to be starters on this team. I actually do believe that.

on a good team? Deing yes, bazz no

Let's hear the argument. Why can't Bazz be a starting SF on a good team? Why does he not have the potential to be that? 21-year old player who when given significant minutes has been impressive.

doesn't pass, doesn't defend

Hmm. Two aspects of basketball that can be improved with more time. Go figure.

His defense isn't lacking energy or effort. He has the size, strength and length to guard most SFs in the NBA. Does his technique need improvement? Sure. I'm not arguing that, but does he have the potential to be good or at least average on defense in time.

Pekovic isn't a fantastic passer either and I believe you love him. Choosing favorites alex? As long as Shabazz isn't a blackhole on offense, he'll be fine. It's not like he'll be the primary scorer.

"Also, only uses left hand, almost all of his offense comes from the left block, and he shoots at a rate that rivals Durant." -- kms

I don't give a shit what hand he uses as long as he puts the ball in the hoop, which he's shown he can do at every level. He'll need to mix it up a little more going forward, but which hand he uses isn't the biggest issue with his scoring. It's that he sometimes pre-determines what move he's going to do instead of reacting to the defense.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I don't have a problem with bringing rookies along slowly and giving the benefit of the doubt to more established vets. I just think Adelman strung it out too long and too sparingly. If our bench was already very good, then fine. But that was never the case this year.

I agree a little with Dieng, but I also think Adelman and his staff should get credit, not fault, for Dieng looking totally different than he did earlier this season. Obviously, most of the credit goes to Dieng, but you get what I mean.

I'm not convinced with Shabazz. He has strengths, but some huge flaws, so it shouldn't be a problem for Adelman to keep him on a short leash and work on those flaws. In fact, that's exactly what he should be doing. We're not Philly, after all

Well, we kind of are Philly now - out of the playoffs, so might as well develop the rookies.....

I agree Shabazz has some huge weaknesses (lack of quickness, poor handles, only goes left, poor court vision), BUT he at least seems to know it! For a rookie with only one year of college under his belt, he doesn't seem to try to do things he's not capable of and tends to stick to his knitting, which is left box post-ups and catch-and-shoot jumpers (you will almost never see him take a pull-up jumper off the dribble. It just doesn't happen). Now you can say Adelman and his staff were the ones that helped nurture this, but then why not reward his discipline and effort by playing him more?

And by the way, this is coming from a guy that HATED the Shabazz pick at the time!