Sammitch on Chad Hartman's show today

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Yeah, I get frustrated watching Zach often too, q. But I try to remind myself that he's only a 20-year-old kid without even much college experience who was force fed into the NBA last season. It was logical that Zach was going to struggle more than most young NBA players, especially in light of his lack of experience with his new position. PG is much more difficult to play than SG.

But I also acknowledge a lot of improvement in Zach this year. We all know he ranked at the bottom of most statistical categories last year, even though he was playing a lot of his minutes at SG. Playing almost exclusively PG this year, his numbers are improved over last year...and dramatically in some instances. I think his numbers compare favorably to many other backup PGs.

The default position on this board is that Zach has a low basketball IQ. He certainly plays that way at times, but so do most rookies (watch budding superstar Mudiay, for instance, who is struggling more than Zach) and 2nd year players, and his improvement this year leads me to the conclusion that Zach's ineffectiveness is due more to inexperience than low basketball IQ.

I can't argue that Mitchell's declaring Zach the starting SG after 2 practices and then reversing course within a week was head-scratching...clearly a blunder. But he now seems to have a consistent vision for what he wants Zach to be and thinks Zach can be, and I think Zach has responded well...at least when he has been allowed to play the backup role rather than having to line up against the other team's starting PG.

I recognize that I'm practically a lone voice about this topic, here and on other boards too, but I hope Sam stays the course with Zach. I agree with Sam that with Ricky's injury history which is frustratingly recurring again this year, PG is Zach's best chance of becoming a starter and perhaps even a star in the NBA. I'm going to be patient, look for continuing improvement, and hope for a Chauncey Billups career trajectory for Zach.

[Coolbreeze44]

Khans you are spot on with your takes here. And I want to congratulate Sam too. Congratulations for ruining the career of an uber talented prospect before it even has a chance to get started. How terribly unfair to Zach to have a dumbass, that's right, dumbass coach pigeon hole you in to the wrong position. He should be arrested for this crime. And that's just what it is, criminal.

Whoa, that might be a little over-the-top. Ruining Zach's career? Dumbass? Criminal?

Yeah, I'm just a little bit angry over this dumb statement by Sam.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I don't think Zach will develop into a good PG either. I'm not even sure I like his outside shot to be a starting SG and knock down 3s. So I hope he and tyus can hold the backup guard spots next.season

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

Yeah, I get frustrated watching Zach often too, q. But I try to remind myself that he's only a 20-year-old kid without even much college experience who was force fed into the NBA last season. It was logical that Zach was going to struggle more than most young NBA players, especially in light of his lack of experience with his new position. PG is much more difficult to play than SG.

But I also acknowledge a lot of improvement in Zach this year. We all know he ranked at the bottom of most statistical categories last year, even though he was playing a lot of his minutes at SG. Playing almost exclusively PG this year, his numbers are improved over last year...and dramatically in some instances. I think his numbers compare favorably to many other backup PGs.

The default position on this board is that Zach has a low basketball IQ. He certainly plays that way at times, but so do most rookies (watch budding superstar Mudiay, for instance, who is struggling more than Zach) and 2nd year players, and his improvement this year leads me to the conclusion that Zach's ineffectiveness is due more to inexperience than low basketball IQ.

I can't argue that Mitchell's declaring Zach the starting SG after 2 practices and then reversing course within a week was head-scratching...clearly a blunder. But he now seems to have a consistent vision for what he wants Zach to be and thinks Zach can be, and I think Zach has responded well...at least when he has been allowed to play the backup role rather than having to line up against the other team's starting PG.

I recognize that I'm practically a lone voice about this topic, here and on other boards too, but I hope Sam stays the course with Zach. I agree with Sam that with Ricky's injury history which is frustratingly recurring again this year, PG is Zach's best chance of becoming a starter and perhaps even a star in the NBA. I'm going to be patient, look for continuing improvement, and hope for a Chauncey Billups career trajectory for Zach.

F*ck no! I hope Wiggy and KAT don't have to put up with Zach as their PG for the duration of their careers here. That would be unfair to these young studs. And you are lying about Zach playing a lot of SG last year. He only played a little at the end of the season and performed better at that position than at PG.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yeah, I get frustrated watching Zach often too, q. But I try to remind myself that he's only a 20-year-old kid without even much college experience who was force fed into the NBA last season. It was logical that Zach was going to struggle more than most young NBA players, especially in light of his lack of experience with his new position. PG is much more difficult to play than SG.

But I also acknowledge a lot of improvement in Zach this year. We all know he ranked at the bottom of most statistical categories last year, even though he was playing a lot of his minutes at SG. Playing almost exclusively PG this year, his numbers are improved over last year...and dramatically in some instances. I think his numbers compare favorably to many other backup PGs.

The default position on this board is that Zach has a low basketball IQ. He certainly plays that way at times, but so do most rookies (watch budding superstar Mudiay, for instance, who is struggling more than Zach) and 2nd year players, and his improvement this year leads me to the conclusion that Zach's ineffectiveness is due more to inexperience than low basketball IQ.

I can't argue that Mitchell's declaring Zach the starting SG after 2 practices and then reversing course within a week was head-scratching...clearly a blunder. But he now seems to have a consistent vision for what he wants Zach to be and thinks Zach can be, and I think Zach has responded well...at least when he has been allowed to play the backup role rather than having to line up against the other team's starting PG.

I recognize that I'm practically a lone voice about this topic, here and on other boards too, but I hope Sam stays the course with Zach. I agree with Sam that with Ricky's injury history which is frustratingly recurring again this year, PG is Zach's best chance of becoming a starter and perhaps even a star in the NBA. I'm going to be patient, look for continuing improvement, and hope for a Chauncey Billups career trajectory for Zach.

F*ck no! I hope Wiggy and KAT don't have to put up with Zach as their PG for the duration of their careers here. That would be unfair to these young studs. And you are lying about Zach playing a lot of SG last year. He only played a little at the end of the season and performed better at that position than at PG.

Mmmm, not sure I've ever heard anyone accuse LST of being a liar. That's a little harsh.

My guess is that LST meant to say that Zach played most of his minutes as a PG last year, thus his improvement this year is encouraging (from his perspective) since it's mostly an apples-to-apples comparison and the trend is headed in the right direction.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

That's not what he wrote.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

That's not what he wrote.

Right, I think he made a mistake by typing in "SG". What I described is what I think he was trying to convey, but I'm sure he can clarify.

LST is one of this board's most frequent and thoughtful contributors. Calling him a liar is out of line. He deserves the benefit of the doubt here.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

That's not what he wrote.

Right, I think he made a mistake by typing in "SG". What I described is what I think he was trying to convey, but I'm sure he can clarify.

LST is one of this board's most frequent and thoughtful contributors. Calling him a liar is out of line. He deserves the benefit of the doubt here.

I hope he's not as thin skinned and you seems to be. Also he's post doesn't seem to make sense if he meant to type PG instead of SG
[quote=But I also acknowledge a lot of improvement in Zach this year. We all know he ranked at the bottom of most statistical categories last year, even though he was playing a lot of his minutes at SG. Playing almost exclusively PG this year, his numbers are improved over last year...and dramatically in some instances. I think his numbers compare favorably to many other backup PGs.]

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

That's not what he wrote.

Right, I think he made a mistake by typing in "SG". What I described is what I think he was trying to convey, but I'm sure he can clarify.

LST is one of this board's most frequent and thoughtful contributors. Calling him a liar is out of line. He deserves the benefit of the doubt here.

I hope he's not as thin skinned and you seems to be. Also he's post doesn't seem to make sense if he meant to type PG instead of SG
[quote=But I also acknowledge a lot of improvement in Zach this year. We all know he ranked at the bottom of most statistical categories last year, even though he was playing a lot of his minutes at SG. Playing almost exclusively PG this year, his numbers are improved over last year...and dramatically in some instances. I think his numbers compare favorably to many other backup PGs.]

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

WTF? I said he was lying when he posts information about LaVine playing a lot of minutes at SG as in providing incorrect info to the public.

To me a liar is a person who has a habit of lying to people. Nowhere did I call LST a LIAR.
You don't even know his reaction and you get all offended about it.