Shumpert looks like he is in the looks of becoming a star, while Laundry has hopes of being a good role player. Not even comparable
Laundry cant guard a lot of good SGs and SFs, and for sure no all stars.
We all can agree Melo and Amare is under average at best defensively.
However Laundry isn't even great offensively and he can't guard good players. So in the SG/SF/PF we have weakness's defensively.
In fact, he doesn't do any great offensively. Yes hustles and does some intangibles. But its not worth the holes we would have on both ends.
Like Billups, he is a great shooter, super long range, clutch, smart bball and has the respect n smarts in the league. In my opinion, he can't even log many minutes if matchups present problems either. At this point in his career, there are many PG's and SGs that he cant guard either. But I can see the arguement in putting him in the starting lineup. Because he is smart and strong enough to guard some SGs in the league. He is proven and is a veteran....
But Fields? Come on Guys! Really? Yes, he was under the radar on draft date and has outperformed a lot of players in the league but hes no Ginobili either. But the bench is more much more realistic for the future on the team. Only possible way this can happen is if he improves his range and becomes a dead eye shooter and a couple of other area's like ball handling. And we would need a great defensive center to back that week 2,3,4 up. But he just doesn't have the tools to be a good defender for many SGs and SFs. Its just not realistic.
If you guys still can't see my side of the argument?
Look at the Dallas team. This is the closest team, philosophy we are probably trying to mimic.
They were remembered as a pretty good offensive team which was a good defensive team but not great defensive players.
I actually thought they were still under rated for their defense and it all started with the additions of Chandler and Marion.
There is a difference between one v one defenders and team defenders, and they played great team defense.
A- defensive player
Chandler....great defensive center
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B+
-
Marion, still a solid defender. Great timing on rebounds to go with his reach and athletic ability.
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B-
Kidd, still solid defender doesn't have the quickness as many pgs but hes big and strong
Dirk, never known as a good defender. However, he is very long and very quick on his feat. He is still 7foot tall and good reach to go with that. Just is similar to how Jared Jeffries was used but he is even quicker and longer. Not good 1v1 but good team defender
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C+
Barea, is small but strong and quick. He is undersized but pretty good defender for his size. Brought the ability to drive and create mismatches for the team and himself. He also hit many big shots.
Terry, never known has a great defender either, a combo guard. With range, pullup jumper, and super clutch. Generally too small to guard the 2's and bigger than PGs but he still played decent defense. However, I wouldnt consider him a good defender. He didn't start many games but he certainly played many games and finished em. They were both kinda the 6th men of their teams and they were used depending on macthups and how well they played. They both took control of a lot of games offensively and earned Dallas their W's. Chandler and their team defense held. But they both played defense, hustled, and tried. Terry is a great flopper too. But they were anywhere from 1st to 3rd options with Dirk.
They might not start some games, but they sometimes finished them together.
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B+
To have a body like Haywood, great luxary to have a big boy like this come of their bench. Played well as the reserved player for the season, very important to have this luxury on the bench.
Mahinmi- did great with his little minutes...close to what Turiaf should be for our team, my opinoin.
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not sure where to place these guys on the team
I am not sure where to put Cory Brewer here, he did well for the minutes he and Mahmimi played.
Peja didn't play much during the playoffs but he used here n there during the season as another scoring punch. He actually used his size and length pretty well for his minutes at times.
And they didn't even get to use Butler Beaubouis.
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Important Points to Illustrate
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1)2 of the weaker defenders didn't really start games, Terry and Barea, but a great part of the Dallas offense, but they great offensively. One of them usually started at many times, but never both. Sometimes neither.
Its important to to play from behind, it changes the game up. And they were great offense weapons, ranging from 2nd to 3rd options after Dirk but they each took control and looked like the 1st option at times too.
2) The team's playoff defense were led by 3-4 starters A and with the 4th being a very important and underated role in Dirk.
A-
Chandler *were off to a bad start in the season without him in the starting lineup* the addition of him and a great multiplied effect on the team defense and mentality.
B+
Marion* became a starter very late for the Mavs* another great team defender, known to be a great leaper, hustle player and timing for rebounds, finishing ability but a little underated on the defensive end with the help and team defense, especially with blocks and steals. Also a create creator or finisher with the fast break.
B-
Kidd * Even Kidd, got burned by many PG's before Chandler got there for many years. He has trouble guarding many quicker guards during the past years*
Dirk* very under rated, yes, he needed Chandler to cover a lot of ground and without him he was abused for many years at Dallas. But he improved the team defense a lot last year and I give him a lot more credit on the defensive end then I think he got recognized for.
Offensively 4/5 could hit the 3pointer at a good rate.
the weakest 2 links offensively are Chandler and Kidd.
3)They are pretty strong defensively but they were great offensively and the weaker weapons offensively still had weapons....
Kidd has finally become a 3 legit point threat the past 2 years but is often led unguarded due to great ball movement and being the 4th option and 4th best shooter usually on the court.
Chandler can grab 5 straight offensive rebounds and change the tempo of the game and score. Or if left unnoticed or 1v1 coverage, hard to stop with good position to go with that size.
4) They had great free throw shooters to close out games in Dirk, Terry, Barau
Chandler greatly improved his free throw too and Marion is around 75%?
Notes, Comparing to the Knicks
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1)I think TD is missing that kind of center and team defense that Kidd had gained last year. Billups can be compared to Kidd in some ways, regarding their down side of careers but their games are a little different. But I believe he does have the looks to become a good defender, our teams teams was just too weak last year. Most importantly we didn't have that center like Chandler. TD isn't much of a creator off the dribble like Kidd was vs Barea either. They are both quite streaky with the 3pointer but when TD gets hot he can burn Kidd out.
2) Marion does a hell lot of than Fields.
3) 2/3 are C- defenders, *very generous* on their better days.
Amare
Melo
if we follow that same pattern as Dallas, We need around 2 A+, A- defenders to balance that out to go with a B+ on the starting lineup. And a couple of B's to go with the Bench as well.
4)I still see this as another 1-3 years, latest to becoming LEGIT contenders. Depending a lot of how Shumpert grows and develops. The team getting the finishing pieces of the team. Then they learn to gel with one another on both ends. A reason why I would prefer some more Vets to go with our quite young team. It could be faster....
Dallas made it in their first year after the acquisition of Marion and Chandler. But They are chemistry players, veterans, that knew their roles, most importantly great team players and defenders as well. But most of the team have been playing together for a good amount of years. Right now, we have half a season at best.
