Thursday's Friday Funkadelic

[60WinTim]

It's worth a listen. Lot's of topics addressing some of the things we speculate about. Starts at the 14 minute mark.

http://www.iheart.com/show/139-The-Dan-Barreiro-Show/?episode_id=27288573

- need for veteran presence in back court
- Towns in Summer League
- Luke's off-season journey
- KG 22-24 minutes, high 60s in games, more if we are "in it", and reason why he can do it
- Bjelica is a rotation player
- criticism on Payne (takes too many 3s - Q won't like that!), KG IS the starting PF
- Martin off the bench is a possibility
- Cuban and the DeAndre Jordan fiasco; same thing for Flip a couple years ago (I assume Redick?)
- update on Pek (on court 9/1) and Rubio (on court now)

[AbeVigodaLive]

It's worth a listen. Lot's of topics addressing some of the things we speculate about. Starts at the 14 minute mark.

http://www.iheart.com/show/139-The-Dan-Barreiro-Show/?episode_id=27288573

- need for veteran presence in back court
- Towns in Summer League
- Luke's off-season journey
- KG 22-24 minutes, high 60s in games, more if we are "in it", and reason why he can do it
- Bjelica is a rotation player
- criticism on Payne (takes too many 3s - Q won't like that!), KG IS the starting PF
- Martin off the bench is a possibility
- Cuban and the DeAndre Jordan fiasco; same thing for Flip a couple years ago (I assume Redick?)
- update on Pek (on court 9/1) and Rubio (on court now)

Yes. JJ Redick.

Redick talked about it recently when discussing the D. Jordan fiasco.

[60WinTim]

Three things I wish Danny Boy would ask Flip to comment on:

- Bennett
- AWFUL defense in Summer League
- How can you hit 3s if you don't take them?!?

So a depth chart looks something like (the starter can be debated at a couple of positions):

Rubio / vet PG / Tyus
Zach / Martin
Wiggins / Shabazz / Rudez
KG / Bjelica / Payne / Bennett
Towns / Pek / Dieng

[Monster]

Three things I wish Danny Boy would ask Flip to comment on:

- Bennett
- AWFUL defense in Summer League
- How can you hit 3s if you don't take them?!?

So a depth chart looks something like (the starter can be debated at a couple of positions):

Rubio / vet PG / Tyus
Zach / Martin
Wiggins / Shabazz / Rudez
KG / Bjelica / Payne / Bennett
Towns / Pek / Dieng

Thanks for posting this I am getting ready to listen now. Does anyone wonder if there is a reason nobody asks Flip about Bennett?

[Monster]

What I took from what Flip said about Payne was he wants Payne to concentrate on defense and rebounding and that's about it. I think most of us would agree with that he takes way to many shots. SL fine take a lot of shots but Flip didn't seem to think so. I think Flip wants Payne to stay around the paint a lot more. In some ways tough to argue with that to a certain extent.

The Pan Am games are just around the corner. I wonder if Flip will say anything or be asked about him then.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Good stuff, thanks for posting Tim. I took a listen.

- KG will start. There was no question in Flip's mind. I'm more skeptical about the 22-24 MPG...Not sure if KG can sustain that for 60+ games.

- Pek playing in real games.....I'll believe it when I see it.

- Payne. I agree and disagree with Flip. I agree that he needs to figure out what kind of player he wants to be and that he'll need to fight hard for minutes. At least Flip isn't taking an entitled approach with him. The 3-point shooting thing....SMH. It's one area he shows some potential in offensively, dating back to college.

- Vet PG - I think this is just as much about hedging his bets with Rubio's health as it is trying to upgrade his backup. LoBrown and Tyus simply aren't good enough to play as starters for any stretch beyond a game or two.

- AB - I think Flip has probably confirmed with Barreiro off the record that they are shopping AB, and if they can't find a deal, they won't pick up his option. That's my guess, so Dan B. doesn't bring it up knowing he won't be part of the future.

[Monster]

Good stuff, thanks for posting Tim. I took a listen.

- KG will start. There was no question in Flip's mind. I'm more skeptical about the 22-24 MPG...Not sure if KG can sustain that for 60+ games.

- Pek playing in real games.....I'll believe it when I see it.

- Payne. I agree and disagree with Flip. I agree that he needs to figure out what kind of player he wants to be and that he'll need to fight hard for minutes. At least Flip isn't taking an entitled approach with him. The 3-point shooting thing....SMH. It's one area he shows some potential in offensively, dating back to college.

- Vet PG - I think this is just as much about hedging his bets with Rubio's health as it is trying to upgrade his backup. LoBrown and Tyus simply aren't good enough to play as starters for any stretch beyond a game or two.

- AB - I think Flip has probably confirmed with Barreiro off the record that they are shopping AB, and if they can't find a deal, they won't pick up his option. That's my guess, so Dan B. doesn't bring it up knowing he won't be part of the future.

Q I think you nailed everything including AB's situation. I do have some opTimism about Pek with what Flip said. I am still cautious but I'll admit my hopes are getting a little higher for Pek.

Another note on AB. Flip basically said Payne is going to have to fight for minutes and Flip talked about a vet guard which most of us have been saying makes too much sense not to consider. AB is going have to do something pretty good to even play but like you said Q I think his fate may be mostly sealed.

[Porckchop]

I like Martin off the bench , a stagnate offense needs a guy that can come in and fill it up for 5 /8minutes at a time without being exploited by defending the other teams best player/scorer for long stretches. At his age and injury concerns it's a perfect fit.
If KG has 20mins a game in him I think that betters Town exponentially. Time on the court with him and time off the court watching will pay dividends.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I like Martin off the bench , a stagnate offense needs a guy that can come in and fill it up for 5 /8minutes at a time without being exploited by defending the other teams best player/scorer for long stretches. At his age and injury concerns it's a perfect fit.
If KG has 20mins a game in him I think that betters Town exponentially. Time on the court with him and time off the court watching will pay dividends.

We actually have multiple offensive-oriented players to bring off the bench this year ('Bazz, Bjelica, Martin or LaVine), so I think Martin should go to the bench only if LaVine clearly earns the starting SG role.

The one bench combination that I see as very intriguing is Bjelica and Shabazz. Their skills are complementary in that Bjelica likes to put the ball on the floor and make plays from the perimeter, while Shabazz is outstanding moving without the ball and cutting into open space or posting up.

[bleedspeed]

Q - I think LaVine benefits more form Rubio then Martin. I think LaVine should start and if he is a net neutral or positive he should be in to continue to develop. I think we need to start building chemistry with Wiggins, Towns, LaVine, and Rubio as soon as we can. I think Martin hurt the development of Wiggins more then anyone else on the team. i say he should be the guy off the bench. I would still trade him if you can get a good asset for him. (28 year old or younger starting caliber PG would be perfect in exchange for him)