Posted by Bippity10:
Tanking is such a misnomer. Losing on purpose is not a solution. It just adds to the atmosphere of losing that has permeated this entire organization. This stink of losing needs to be erased. What is an alternative solution is for management and coaching to understand our current situation. Realize that 32-38 wins and late round draft picks is not a solution and striving for eight seeds at the expense of youth is not a plan. Well it has been for us, but it's time to abandon it. Let's move forward and give big minutes to the Lee's, Nates, Jamals, Chandlers, Morris, Balkman's, Collin's of the world. See what we have and who we can build around. If that group hits an 8th seed than it is definitely a step forward. If they lose it will also be a step forward as they get a chance to perform.
But going for the 8th seed with Curry and Zach and Q and Jared and Malik grabbing all the minutes to save jobs is an absolute waste of time.
It was a fantastic solution for both the Spurs and Cavaliers- nothing like tanking for one of the best players ever to come into the draft-
I don't think Isiah has any intention of tanking- while the core is flawed - it is also talented. He made the deals for Curry, Crawford, Randolph, Q Rich - and he has only one possibility - to play them together as much as possible and hope that they improve and continue to develop. So the focus necessarily is on these players as well as Jeffries, Lee, Robinson. Since there is no Le Bron/Duncan out there to actually throw away a season for -every one else at best will take a few years to deelop - so why not try to develop theplyers that are already on the roster.
M. Collins/ Mo Randolph, Chandler are definitely not ready for prime time- and why disrupt the primary purpose - which is to get your best players to play their best and play together. The benefit of the doubt should go to Isiah because - he IS playing Robinson and Lee consistently- which means he can recognize when younger players will be effective and consistent contributors. M. Collins came on last night for two reasons - D Williams was a match up nightmare for both Crawford and Robinson. F. Jones, Q Rich as well as Curry had the flu. What did we see- he is not ready - he could have used 'his' size advantage on D Williams and posted him up all night - but he has no confidence in his shots, critical moment turn-overs and as usual allowed D Williams to help double Craw , Randolph all night.
As for the veteranss - regardless of sentiment - they are all proven NBA players and the first priority must be to have them lay as many minutes together for the full season - in hopes of developing better team play, coherence and even development of players. Every year - a new player has been added- to build a core- I think Randolph i the last part - in terms of a core- the rest is developing the core because -there is no choice due to long term contracts. Although there haven't been dramatic changes - there has been icremental , positive changes - Randolph is playing better (more asists and taking it to the hole more), Crawford/Nate already discussed, Jeffries playing better. Lee - has basically not devloped a shot in the last three yers - he gets the scrounge buckets and the hustle rebounds - but his ball handling, passing and defense has not improved at all. I think this was the primary reason - the draft went to 'another' SF - because Balkman is surely not the answer, Q Rich - what to say -he is playing better defnese for sure - now if he ever shoots better than 44 percent from the field and 35 percent from the three - we are in business. Curry - a regression no doubt - but more is asked from him than it ever was in his whole career- his 'only' job was to camp out in the post and be a bull in the China shop - when you have been doing that and been encouraged to do that for 90 percent of your career - it will take time to actually develop other parts of your game- another 2-3 years I would think.
[Edited by - iyamwutiam on 01-31-2008 5:13 PM][Edited by - iyamwutiam on 01-31-2008 5:23 PM]
1/31/2008 9:36 AM
