fishmike wrote:blkexec wrote:I will keep reminding everybody. It's time to bury the labels PG and Center. That's so old school.Today, theres guards, forwards, and a new label point forwards.
Whoever rebounds the ball, can be a PG if they know how to dribble and pass. If not, they will rebound and pass to a player that can dribble and pass. It's that simple.
I think with RJs PG like skills, he fits perfect with a dynamic scorer in DSJ. I know DSJ is not a shooter, but hes a scorer. I think even better is Knox, if he can be a reliable shooter. Iggy and RJ chemistry will be huge this season as well, if Iggy can get some burn. I'm more concerned about defensive matchups....can he guard quick small guards? Big guards/ forwards? When picking a lineup, start with defense first. If RJ can guards small players, then we can have a 6'7 and up lineup....but still be small ball with Randle at center. Sky is the limit for fitz.
Like KP....we cant put RJ in a box right now. Just make sure his environment cultivates his potential. Right now he has a Draymond Green or Lebron James type impact. No hes not the next bron....hes the next RJ. But where hes similar is he can do a little of everything right now. With time and maturity, all those skills will improve and he will do everything at an above average skill level.....with potential to be our home grown star player.
I said this in college, he might be the best player on that duke team. So far he looks like a great all around player with high IQ....and willingness to get better. Cant ask for anything else. Sit back and enjoy the ride. PG labels are in the past. The NBA is just guards and forwards. Payton might be a throw back PG, but it's still rare in today's nba.
Yes the labels have changed but the roles are the same. A rim protector still has value. Someone who can run or be the key facilitator of the offense is still critical. I think people look at the elite teams and quote things like positionless basketball but you have to remember those squads have elite talent and elite chemistry. If this squad is going to be successful it will need to start with good guard play and especially good PG play. If there is a time where at any time 2-3 guys could be "PG" that is great but we are nowhere near that level of being established. Until that day comes we need a floor general and how good he is will likely be the pulse of the team. We have size, guys who defend, shooters... what kind of system and offense are we running?
Agree...it's not about labels, but the skills of those old labels still exist. I agree....For example, Wooten has the size of a SF....But he's our best rim protector next to Mitch. DSJ has the size of a PG, but he's our best above the rim dunker / playmaker on the team.
This is why I like Fitz. He doesn't put players in a box. He allows the player to create his own box. This works for some, not for others like Frank. But for RJ, and as you read about Mudiay....This coaching style is perfect. Fitz will let RJ be RJ, and build around him. Let Mitch be Mitch, and build around them. We all agreeing and saying the same things, just from a different perspective.
RJ can still be a triple double threat as a SF. Wooten (assuming he's even on the team) for example, can still be a rim protector, an not play center. So maybe the question is, do we let RJ play like he naturally play? Which should be the thread title, but sounds silly when you phrase it that way. And thats my point, RJ will give you all around performance and impacts on the game. He needs the ball. This is why when you build a team, you can't have too many players on the court at the same time, that need the ball to be affective. Right now, and probably in the near future, RJ needs the ball. The difference between Melo and Z bo ball hogging the ball. RJ will give you triple doubles if you give him the ball. He's the only ball hog on the team who can and will give you that.
Trier needs the ball, but he's not giving you triple doubles. He's trying to get a bucket. Knox is trying to get a bucket. DSJ is trying to get a bucket. You have to make sure you surround RJ with guys that don't need the ball to be affective, which is why Mitch is so important. Which is why Frank can be so important, if it wasn't for outside influence trying to make him what he's not. But there aren't enough players in the league like Klay or Ray Allen or Reggie Miller....who adds value without having the ball. Thats a league problem, not just a knick problem. So you have to make certain decisions that may not make since, but could work, if players change their game.
Majority of the vets we added, do not need to pound the ball to be impactful. So far, we are heading in the right direction and why I'm optomistic this year. This is also why I think Trier should come off the bench, so he can pound the ball and be our microwave 6th man and closer, if needed.
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The future is bright, I'm a Knicks fan for life!