Posted by Bonn1997:
Posted by nixluva:
All of this is still annoying to me, since we're making it seems as tho there is really anyone who doesn't agree that Eddy is flawed. No one has made any obscene claims for what he should be able to produce. Some have said 18/8 in previous years and last year he was basically 20/7. The naysayers didn't even think he could do that. So when some suggest that he can be a productive part of a winning team if you actually build a good team around him, that's not coming from left field.
The truth is that Jamal and Q are out there with Curry. Neither guy is skilled enough nor mentally strong enough to help Curry succeed. We are no longer relying on Steph to run the team and even when we did, he wasn't the perfect PG for Curry and he's not a strong leader either. So now you're talking about poor play at PG, SG and SF. Then you've got Zach... All of this together works against Curry playing well on this team.
He'll still be a flawed player, but the things he's good at doing would be greatly enhanced with a team that was matched to our needs better. In the rare times that our perimeter players actually do the things we need, the team looks much better. In the rare times that Isiah makes the right moves as coach we can see how effective Curry is. The point is that even with his flaws, Curry could be an effective part of a winning team. We haven't been able to see him play in that context here. Our perimeter players aren't up to the task and are inconsistent Any top Center would have trouble winning with this group right now.
While it's true that Curry isn't a team anchor like Howard, he's not the only Center in the league with that problem and yet those centers are positive contributors to winning teams. This is due to the scheme the coach implements and the cohesive play of the rest of the team. It's unlikely that we'll move Curry and Zach, so you have to look to change things around them. Better PG, SG & SF and to add a Shotblocking PF to play alongside Curry or Zach.
Exactly what things (plural) is he good at?
In terms of his individual skills, you're going to win that argument, but I still believe that in a team concept you can take advantage of his presence inside with good perimeter players. He's a major problem for teams inside unless he's doubled. On a team with a real PG, SG and SF, that would help greatly to open up things for the other players. With a decent coach, he'd make use of that to run more motion and Curry could be in the middle of that. His girth would come in handy on screen and roll plays. He has great hands and a good PG would be able to draw defenders on those pick and rolls and then make the easy pass to Curry at pointblank range. He's completely capable of doing that.
I'd suggest that the team look for more than just strict post ups to involve Curry. Imagine a PG like Chris Paul or Deron on this team with a guy who can catch and finish like Curry. Don't just limit the discussion to his individual stats. Think team concept. With him many times when he passes the ball back out, the guards often don't take the shot, so he can't get an assist. There aren't many plays where our guards feed the post and make an effective cut or even have Lee or Jared make a back cut to the hole so Curry can make an easy short pass. The thing is that there has to be a scheme in place for that. He's not a great passer so why make it harder for him? Have the other players present themselves for the pass so that he can see them. Too often the other players on the team aren't moving into his vision at all.
What i'm saying is don't just blame him for everything. There's more to it than that. Help D and rebounding you can get on him for, but many other things involve the scheme and the team as well.
