BigRedDog wrote:TA is NOT a SG. You can't put someone who can't shoot at SG.

Could Gerald Wilkins really shoot? No, wasn't even a high IQ player and he was turnover prone (all the same criticisms people have with TA) yet he carved out a nice career for himself as an NBA 2G. I loved Gerald--dude was one of if not my fav. Knicks ever--I feel TA has a higher ceiling. Might already be an even better defender, possibly an even better athlete and I think there's just as good or better possibility that he could evolve into an even better offensive player. The potential's there--I think his jump-shot form is better than what I remember from Gerald.

clyderules wrote:Haven't they been using Early as a wing/ shooting guard? Unlike Thanasis, he appears to actually be able to shoot.

I don't remember him specifically operating at the 2 alongside another wing but maybe he could do that. He's played pretty well. Looked real good vs. Charlotte. He can shoot and drive--no real guard-type skills though.

Finestrg wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:There was a good write up on Jenkins and how he has done in camp recently. It sounds like he was a really good signing.
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-mavericks/post/_/id/4705670/john-jenkins-im-coming-for-minutes

I like him. Saw about 90% of the Dallas/Cavs game and Jenkins played great. He reminds me of a smaller Kyle Korver (the shooting form is almost identical)/less athletic Monta Ellis. Dude can really shoot it. I even like him with the ball in his hands. Good handle and he can make plays--really knows how to get bigs the ball playing pick & roll/pop & pop out high. Dallas had him out there as the primary ball-handler at times and he did a nice job. We passed on Shved because we didn't want to pay him. Jenkins was a vet minimum signing and would've been a great fallback option. Phil and Fisher LOVE Sasha V. I just feel his familiarity with the triangle is overrated (no one on the team has any familiarity with the triangle) and he hasn't shot the ball well at all. Hasn't really been a consistent FG shooter throughout his career. Hasn't even been in the league...I just hope I'm wrong about him because he's their "game changer" and "significant force" coming off the bench. Phil's words, not mine.

Add mentor and babysitter for Porzingas to Sasha's resume. If Early isn't the SG backup, I think it will be addressed thru a trade or during the off-season.

martin wrote:

Finestrg wrote:

clyderules wrote:Haven't they been using Early as a wing/ shooting guard? Unlike Thanasis, he appears to actually be able to shoot.

I don't remember him specifically operating at the 2 alongside another wing but maybe he could do that. He's played pretty well. Looked real good vs. Charlotte. He can shoot and drive--no real guard-type skills though.

what skills are those?

the ones that Thanasis has

martin wrote:

Finestrg wrote:

clyderules wrote:Haven't they been using Early as a wing/ shooting guard? Unlike Thanasis, he appears to actually be able to shoot.

I don't remember him specifically operating at the 2 alongside another wing but maybe he could do that. He's played pretty well. Looked real good vs. Charlotte. He can shoot and drive--no real guard-type skills though.

what skills are those?

Ball-handling, passing, maybe also the level of shooting that you'd expect from an off-guard (although I like Early's stroke when he squares himself up--I think he could develop that aspect into a real strength, he's just not there yet. And granted, TA's shooting isn't there yet either. He's probably behind Early in this area--no argument). Hey, maybe Early could play some 2G. I'm not completely discounting that idea. Ask yourself though -- does he really feel like a guard to you?

Mreinman's getting on me but I think TA has and could develop even more guard skills than Early. TA had a couple of nice passes the other night in Charlotte. I think TA's much better equipped to guard opposing 2Gs over Early too.

Let's all agree to disagree on TA and put that to bed for now...What about Portland's surplus of SGs? Any interest in those guys? Probably couldn't get McCollum (star in the making--I think he's gonna have a big year for them) and we may not want to fool around with Henderson (bad hip -- not set to return any time soon). That leaves Allen Crabbe or Pat Connaughton. I wonder if trading the rights to Willy Hernangomez (throw in the rights to Louis Labeyrie as well?) is enough to get either guy? I know they like Willy, like that he's close with KP, but you gotta give to get. Portland may like the idea of acquiring the rights to a player instead of getting an actual player back at this time...With Al-Farouq Aminu and Mo Harkless at the 3, I think they're OK there and may not have too much interest in Early.

WaltLongmire wrote:Grant can also be a "SG," I would think.

Don't think that this is a priority for Phil at this point, IMO. I think the guys we have on the team at this time should be able to cover the position this year.

Agreed. I think Grant's very much in the mix playing some 2 off the ball. Might actually benefit him at times by being able to concentrate more on being in attack mode.

I hope you're right about having the position covered this year. I just feel the frontcourt is deeper than the backcourt. If one of our primary guards ever went down, I feel like we'll be scrambling a little bit. I also wish Galloway brought a little more PG skills to the table which would improve overall backcourt versatility. I do like what he does bring though. He's definitely growing on me.