Posted by Finestrg:
I want us to put our best foot forward for a change when compiling rotation - end-of-the-rotation talent. Like I mentioned toward the end of the Sasha Pavlovic thread, you can't convince me that a guy like Warren Carter is a better guy to go after with one of those last spots than Rodney Carney.
I dont think this is a Carter v Carney thing, just a Carney thing. Besides, one was signed, the other (realistically) is training camp fodder
Posted by Finestrg:
You're really selling this guy short - he has a fairly high skill level that's relatively untapped & could absolutely be developed further, he a wing that fits in PERFECTLY with our coach's philosophy (run, jump and shoot), he's young and he owns world-class athleticism. I would've found time for this guy somewhere and I think D'Antoni would've as well.
From all I have read, Carney doesn't really have a high skill level. Can't shoot (42% FG), bad passer, and can't handle the ball. Where is the high skill level? He can certainly run and jump, but that's only one facet of the MDA offense. Passing, moving without ball, decision-making. Those are the real core skill, all of which Carney is lacking.
From Hollinger: "2007-08 season: Coaches like to say "it's a make or miss league," and in Carney's case it applies. He didn't shoot the ball well, and as a result wasn't able to take much of a step forward in his second season. Although he appears to have decent form, Carney hit only 31.7 percent of his 3-pointers and a ghastly 29.2 percent of his long 2s. And while he's a decent finisher at the basket, he finished the year at 40.3 percent from the floor overall with a low free-throw rate, pretty much killing his PER in the process.
Carney has to shoot well because he's not creating shots for anyone else. His assist ratio was dead last among the league's 63 small forwards, and although he rarely made turnovers it was hardly an encouraging stat.
Scouting report: An outstanding athlete, Carney can finish at the rim in transition and rises up quickly on his jump shot. However, his ball skills and general creativity leave much to be desired -- that's why he's so dependent on improving his shooting in order to get his career established. Given his athleticism, he should be able to do a lot more off the dribble than he does, but he seems totally incapable of creating offense for himself.
Defensively, Carney does a decent job because he's a good athlete and gives a solid effort, plus he ranked in the top third at his position in both blocks and steals per minute. The one quibble is that he drew only two offensive fouls the entire season -- while he has a slender build and is probably reluctant to be run over by bigger players, he needs to do better than that.
2008-09 outlook: Carney was traded in the offseason to Minnesota, where he'll try to claw out some playing time in a crowded wing picture that also includes Mike Miller, Ryan Gomes, Rashad McCants and Corey Brewer. Given that Carney is only 24 and is likely to shoot the ball better than he did a year ago, one has to think he'll be able to carve out some kind of role and eventually post better numbers than he did in Philly a year ago. However, at this point his future seems more as a defender and role player than as a long-term starter. "
Posted by Finestrg:
You don't think our 2 spot is a little murky at the moment as we move ahead here? Chandler's probably starts at the position but he's not your prototypical SG, Nate may only wind up being a one and out guy, Hughes is a contract waiting to expire and most definitely not part of their future plans, and when 6'1" Toney Douglas is fially ready to start contributing I'd think he eventually gets the bulk of his time at the point with a little time at the 2 here & there in the right matchups.
I dont know... I just disagree with all of the above. Our young guys need minutes. Chandler, Nate, Douglas are draft picks with promise and are going to get them. Hughes and Duhon too.
