JohnWallace44 wrote:You could make a better argument that he's a backup 2 than a backup PG. His passing makes Nate and Craw look like John Stockton and Mark Jackson.

We need a backup point with passing skills. I don't know why that's controversial to say.

For the months of March and April, TD avg'd 12.5/3.6 with about 1 TO a game. I think he can build on that and be a very good backup for this team. He really isn't the liability you seem to be making him out to be. If he could get up to a solid 4 assists in 30 mpg, I think that would be pretty good.

I'm gonnna try and nab Felton in most of my fantasy leagues cause I have a strong feeling that he's going to average close to 40 min/game this season. D'Antoni's going to rely on him like a crutch as our only real PG on the roster. Really wish we picked up Jeremy Lin.

The other option to run the point may actually be Randolph as a backup point-forward. That way TD can concentrate on just being a scorer from the 1, which he excels at, and let Randolph run plays if he's capable of it. Would also give our bench unit a completely different look than our starting lineup.

Personally, this is how I envision our rotation:

PG Felton
SG Azubuike (or Mason if 'Buke isn't healthy)
SF Gallo
PF Amare
C Turiaf (Mozgov possibly replacing Turiaf later in the season once he's acclimated to the NBA)

But both Chandler and Randolph should be the first two off the bench, replacing 'Buke and Turiaf. Despite Chandler and AR being better players, I think the first lineup would do a better job spreading the court for the pick 'n' roll game with Amare/Felton, as well as being stronger and more balanced defensively. We'd be more of a half court team at the start of the game/half. There's no point running out of the gates cause our opponent will have fresh legs and can keep up. But bringing our two most athletic players off the bench will provide a huge spark, and at that point, as exhaustion starts to set in for the other team, we can push the tempo and balloon a lead before the 1st quarter even ends.

PG Felton
SG Chandler
SF Gallo
PF Amare
C Randolph (or swap Amare/Randolph depending on who is better off guarding the opposing center)

^ ie. that lineup is probably our best players on the floor together, but I think they're all best suited to close out quarters/games, and not to start the game.

Once Felton/Gallo/Amare are exhausted, we sub them in for Douglas, Azubuike, and Mozgov into the game, and keep on running with fresh legs, with either Douglas or Randolph running the point.

PG Douglas
SG Azubuike
SF Chandler
PF Randolph
C Mozgov

JohnWallace44 wrote:

nixluva wrote:

JohnWallace44 wrote:You could make a better argument that he's a backup 2 than a backup PG. His passing makes Nate and Craw look like John Stockton and Mark Jackson.

We need a backup point with passing skills. I don't know why that's controversial to say.

For the months of March and April, TD avg'd 12.5/3.6 with about 1 TO a game. I think he can build on that and be a very good backup for this team. He really isn't the liability you seem to be making him out to be. If he could get up to a solid 4 assists in 30 mpg, I think that would be pretty good.

We went 9-15 in March/April and it wasn't a tough part of the schedule. He led the team in assists six times. Given what everyone knows about this offense, isn't it odd that the PG would only lead the team in assists six times out of 26 games? Through the first two months of the season by contrast, Duhon led the team in assists in 13 out of 17 games.

The guy just isn't a natural or unnatural NBA point guard, specifically for this type of offense. In the Triangle, or if you had a combo guard or a point forward with size to play with him... he'd be a fine guy to have at the one. Our situation is the worst that you could set up for a player like him.

I'd much rather see him on a team that was better set up for a Derrick Fisher type player and I'd much rather see us with someone who's primary goal on the floor is to set up other players.

I don't think anyone is arguing that TD is a real PG. The point is that he can be productive despite this fact. Now you want to try and overanalyze the stats to try and degrade their value. My showing his stats had little to do with the wins and losses or strength of opponent. I was merely showing that he was giving the team some solid minutes and he should be fine backing up for us. Yes we would do well to have someone else in there with him that can also distribute, but that's the point. This offense really isn't about the PG as much as it is about the players recognizing when to pass and when to shoot. ALL OF THEM, not just the PG. The ball moves faster thru the air and that's what Mike's teams do real well when they're clicking. This team despite not having a ball dominant PG still was one of the better teams in terms of assists. That is a function of the offense and shows that more than a great PG, you need a group of good passing players that understand the game and are unselfish. TD will be fine on this roster so long as he pushes the ball and scores like he can. We must keep attacking the D before it's set.

The 2nd unit is likely to be even faster than our starters. This should lead to more breaks and a much easier decision for TD. The beauty of this system is that it can help a kid like TD who isn't really skilled enough to constantly play half court. Duhon refused to run and that filtered down to the rest of the team. This year I expect the speed to pick up and for these new players to thrive at speed.