Pretty good last game. I think we look ready.
Melo's offense was coming free and easy. Even his early misses were all good shots basically. I think we've got a good balance between Melo's occasional ISO and a faster pace, both in transition and even a quicker pace in the half court. So good to see a lot of pick and roll action. It's effective and a real strength of a lot of our players.
Someone was saying on another thread--Jennings looks a little out of control but in a good way -- he's pushing it and forcing the issue on the opponent which is a nice change of pace for us. Dude just needs to settle down and make the right plays without the razzle dazzle on every play. I think he's surprising his teammates with some of his passes--I think guys think he's gonna shoot the ball in a lot of those cases. Flip side is he's a good ignitor out there, that razzle dazzle gets everyone going and pumped and HE IS looking for teammates. Hopefully he can cut down on some of the turnovers and find a happy medium with his game. I like him off the bench right from game 1. That's where he needs to be. I think that's where he'll be. Horn basically told us that by starting Sasha at the point this last game. He wanted Jennings coming in later last night, right where he plans to start using him when it's for real.
3 players I was concerned with going back a week ago -- Lee, O'Quinn and Holiday -- all have turned it around the past couple of games and have rounded into form. Great to see.
Noah looked real good last night, even contributing on offense in a big way (a couple of jumpers, drives/finishes with the left hand, got to the line a few times). Just gotta keep the big guy healthy--he's a big key. Nice to see there's good depth behind him -- we go a legit 3 deep behind Noah.
The cuts should be Amundson, Tokoto and one of Plumlee or N'Dour. I like Plumlee and N'Dour A LOT -- hopefully Phil can retain both, one at the DL level. Giving both guaranteed money was smart and should help us here. If I had to pick one of the two, it'd be Plumlee. A couple of clues: (1) N'Dour played last night in the last PS game and (2) O'Quinn has really turned it and looks like a player again, so there's no immediate need for Plumlee. Makes me believe Amundson, Tokoto and Plumlee might be the cuts, with Plumlee retained at the DL level. Haarlow gave another clue during the game--said she talked to Mills/Hornacek about the cuts and one of them hinted the team would like to keep players that play multiply positions. N'Dour plays both F spots (I think he could even play some 2G eventually as he improves) and he actually played last night. I think he made it.
Two things I was wrong about -- (1) KOQ being an overrated passer. That's not so--he's a good, quality passer. Nice to have 2 Cs, Noah and O'Quinn, that both feature that skill as a strength. O'Quinn might be one of those role players that just looks 100% better playing with better players around him. With all the player upgrades we've made, it's brought out the best in O'Quinn. Again, great to see Lee, O'Quinn and Holiday comfortable and producing right as the season's about to start. And (2) Sasha's good enough to play some PG in a pinch (3rd PG). He looked real good the last couple of games. If it came down to it, I'd always take a young promising guard over Vujacic (Baker/Randle) if I was forced to choose -- luckily, I don't think we have to. If the cuts really are Lou, JP and Marshall (with Plumlee retained at the DL level), Phil gets to keep everyone important in the fold. Nice job.
I really like Baker. He's definitely good enough to play in the NBA. Heady, effective player on both ends (really like how he gets up into people on D). Again, if you go by the 'we want guys who play both positions' comment, Baker plays both guard positions. And he played last night too, another indicator that he made it as well, as he should. Wanna give Phil and co. a lot of credit for targeting Baker, Randle and Plumlee. Real good finds, all 3. Guys that can help us right now if need be. Excellent work.
10/21/2016 2:23 PM