khans2k5 wrote:Long - Just for the sake of being devils advocate, let's say Zach becomes a really good PG. We now have 2 PG's who have theoretically earned the playing time. What do you do? Rubio is signed for 3 more years after this one. Do you just keep Zach stuck coming off the bench and spot starting and let Ricky walk at the end of his contract? Why does Zach sign an extension here and not force his way out if he is still coming off the bench when his deal is up if he is a really good PG at that point in his career (think Eric Bledsoe with the Clippers)? There's gonna be a point where it's just not okay to keep Zach on the bench anymore because he is too good. If he's a PG and we have one of those already, do you bring Ricky off the bench? Does that force us to trade Ricky? I'm just curious what your thoughts are regarding the game plan if Zach actually pans out as a PG because that would in my mind create even more problems than it solves and "crossing that bridge when we come to it" is not an acceptable plan for the situation. There has to be a game plan for the best case scenario regardless of how likely it is to happen. If the plan is to trade Ricky that's fine because at least it's something (what do you then trade Ricky for?).
Meanwhile if Zach pans out at the 2 we just move Wiggins to the 3, keep Ricky at PG and we end up with our 3 best guards/wings on the court at the same time and everybody is happy. We don't have to make any trades or worry about how guys are gonna act in negotiations if they are still stuck on the bench. (Bazz may fit in the unhappy column, but he's simply not a well rounded enough player to be counted on as a starter moving forward)
Good thoughts, Khans...all things I assume Sam is pondering every day.
First, I have no concerns about Zach walking...we have him locked up for several more years, and who knows what will happen with the makeup of the team in that period. Zach will end up in one of three places depending on Zach...1) continuing to back up Ricky at PG, because the team performs better with Ricky at PG than Zach and Zach hasn't shown that he can physically be an everyday SG 2) beating out Ricky for the starting PG spot, either because Ricky can't stay healthy, or like last night, Zach outplays him 3)Zach moves to SG because Ricky proves he can be a 70-game PG, Wig shows he can rebound like a forward needs to and Zach has physically matured enough to play every night against SGs.
Those are the three scenarios. What is my dream scenario...#3, just like almost everyone here. I want Ricky to show he can stay healthy, Wig to physically mature and become at least a 5 RPG guy and Zach to fill out to about 210-220 and become our starting SG. I know that may be a pipe dream, but those 3 guys on the court with KAT and a physical PF would be the best thing that could happen to this team...with a competent bench, a championship wouldn't be out of the question. So, that's what I want to happen down the road.
But that's not the best scenario right now, which is the subject of this thread. Wig has not shown he can provide the rebounding we need at SF, and frankly, Prince starting and Bazz off the bench is a terrific combination right now at the 3. Similarly, my eye test tells me Zach isn't physically ready to provide the positive matchup Sam wants right now at the 2, and the stats say he is doing a very good job at the point. Having the ball in his hands more is the best way to develop this raw but promising talent, and as Flip often said, playing PG now will only make him a better SG in the future. And meanwhile, he's doing a fine job there.
And the most persuasive evidence of all that Sam's strategy is the right one? We are 5-2 with Zach backing up Ricky at PG. I'm willing to continue to give the car keys to Sam as long as he continues to point the car in the right direction.
