Randle - Work ethic leader that spends nights and weekends in the gym. 40% from 3 opens up the floor. Bulldog down low, forgets how to spin and plays the game straight. No 18 foot fadeaways, passes to players not named Fournier when the double shows itself. This guy makes the All Star team and played All NBA defense.

Barrett - Young two way player that always chooses the harder defensive assignments on the wing. This guy attacks the basket with ferocity, not afraid to finish through contact. He plays SG and not SF and takes advantage of that size advantage in the post while running double pick and roll and pops with Randle and Robinson. This guy isn’t afraid to pass, but when the game is on the line, he is going to the rack with an intent to finish strong. The game slows down for him and he sees guys cutting when the defense collapses, knowing it’s ok to toss the ball to Robinson to end the game. Barrett wants the shot but he wants the win more.

3&D SF. Is this Cam Reddish? Tari Eason? This is a long lanky player that is a badger on defense. This guy can’t wait to get on the ball defense and create havoc. He doesn’t need the ball on offense, he is willing to fight for it on the boards. Hr has long arms that break up passing lanes and a quick step that takes his defense past the 3 point line. This guy affects the game without the ball in his hands.

Derrick Rose. This guy stops deferring to other point guards and takes ownership of the floor in the starting lineup. Maybe he doesn’t have the athleticism of his more youthful years, but like a Championship Derrick Fisher he plays ball the right way and initiates the offense to get Barrett and Randle good starting position. The days of the PG just dribbling the ball past half court are over. He initiates the offense from the paint once the defense is broken. He leads by example of how Coach wants this game played.

Robinson. This man is the defensive anchor which shuts down the paint for all but the most aggressive players. He redound his quick bounce and challenges shots multiple times per possession. He closes out to the three point line if needed and recovers. He boxes out but knows when to release and take a pass.

Obviously there is a lot of hope and desire in this write up. I can’t say that any of this occurs. Question is honestly whether this best version of this team is good enough to win. It doesn’t need to be this year. Maybe more time for growth with this team is needed.

I like Thib's handling of young players (the dev coaches, the extra practice before the practice, how Grimes, IQ, Obi, McBride, Sims all look when they get their chances)
I like FO filling the roster with young drafted guys vs. 30 year old role players

Will we see better version of Randle?
Will IQ/McBride/Obi/Grimes/RJ/Sims all take steps forward
Will Reddish be of any use?
Will Fournier still be on the squad?

I dont think we are very good. We are better managed and have some parts but honestly as foundations go that's pretty weak. I was hoping FO would find a way to use the massive cap space last year to add impact talent. They didnt. I'm not sure what the path to doing that is. Plenty of mid-late lottery picks have turned into bigtime players and even stars.

I can be as patient as needed. Really the big factor is Randle. His first season under Thibs was eye poppping. His 2nd not so much. Which version of that duo/dynamic do we see?

BigDaddyG wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:Burks/Rose/McBride/Walker
Fournier/Quickley/Grimes
Barrett/Reddish
Randle Egg, ham and cheese on a hard roll/Toppin
Robinson/Noel/Gibson/Sims

Randle - Work ethic leader that spends nights and weekends in the gym. 40% from 3 opens up the floor. Bulldog down low, forgets how to spin and plays the game straight. No 18 foot fadeaways, passes to players not named Fournier when the double shows itself. This guy makes the All Star team and played All NBA defense.

Barrett - Young two way player that always chooses the harder defensive assignments on the wing. This guy attacks the basket with ferocity, not afraid to finish through contact. He plays SG and not SF and takes advantage of that size advantage in the post while running double pick and roll and pops with Randle and Robinson. This guy isn’t afraid to pass, but when the game is on the line, he is going to the rack with an intent to finish strong. The game slows down for him and he sees guys cutting when the defense collapses, knowing it’s ok to toss the ball to Robinson to end the game. Barrett wants the shot but he wants the win more.

3&D SF. Is this Cam Reddish? Tari Eason? This is a long lanky player that is a badger on defense. This guy can’t wait to get on the ball defense and create havoc. He doesn’t need the ball on offense, he is willing to fight for it on the boards. Hr has long arms that break up passing lanes and a quick step that takes his defense past the 3 point line. This guy affects the game without the ball in his hands.

Derrick Rose. This guy stops deferring to other point guards and takes ownership of the floor in the starting lineup. Maybe he doesn’t have the athleticism of his more youthful years, but like a Championship Derrick Fisher he plays ball the right way and initiates the offense to get Barrett and Randle good starting position. The days of the PG just dribbling the ball past half court are over. He initiates the offense from the paint once the defense is broken. He leads by example of how Coach wants this game played.

Robinson. This man is the defensive anchor which shuts down the paint for all but the most aggressive players. He redound his quick bounce and challenges shots multiple times per possession. He closes out to the three point line if needed and recovers. He boxes out but knows when to release and take a pass.

Obviously there is a lot of hope and desire in this write up. I can’t say that any of this occurs. Question is honestly whether this best version of this team is good enough to win. It doesn’t need to be this year. Maybe more time for growth with this team is needed.

Made a minor tweak, but agree with most of what you said.

I skipped breakfast and now I am hungry.

fishmike wrote:its a show me year for a lot of parts.

I like Thib's handling of young players (the dev coaches, the extra practice before the practice, how Grimes, IQ, Obi, McBride, Sims all look when they get their chances)
I like FO filling the roster with young drafted guys vs. 30 year old role players

Will we see better version of Randle?
Will IQ/McBride/Obi/Grimes/RJ/Sims all take steps forward
Will Reddish be of any use?
Will Fournier still be on the squad?

I dont think we are very good. We are better managed and have some parts but honestly as foundations go that's pretty weak. I was hoping FO would find a way to use the massive cap space last year to add impact talent. They didnt. I'm not sure what the path to doing that is. Plenty of mid-late lottery picks have turned into bigtime players and even stars.

I can be as patient as needed. Really the big factor is Randle. His first season under Thibs was eye poppping. His 2nd not so much. Which version of that duo/dynamic do we see?

We're seeing nice pseudo-things this post-season from Randle already. Maybe it was just the crowds + pressure of being the face + new baby = thumbs down + grumpyazz ****itude. Maybe we see him settle in as the elder statesman All-Star, WE HERE-first guy we've seen before.

I think we've already seen IQ/Obi take steps. End of a season, but steps nonetheless.
Grimes could become a cold-blooded killer.
Mitch is apparently going to get his contract here, if that other thread that fishguy posted is credible. If Mitch can get to even 70% at the FT line, I'll be doing handstands. Same for Sims.

Does Thibs and staff suddenly and miraculously get Fournier to start playing noticeable defense? WTF will people complain about with him then? He doesn't make RJ better?

Can we start the pre-season without any Kemba drama at all?

Can we please take up some sort of cartilage donations for DRose? Burks needs to be our level-headed SMOTY.

martin wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:Burks/Rose/McBride/Walker
Fournier/Quickley/Grimes
Barrett/Reddish
Randle Egg, ham and cheese on a hard roll/Toppin
Robinson/Noel/Gibson/Sims

Randle - Work ethic leader that spends nights and weekends in the gym. 40% from 3 opens up the floor. Bulldog down low, forgets how to spin and plays the game straight. No 18 foot fadeaways, passes to players not named Fournier when the double shows itself. This guy makes the All Star team and played All NBA defense.

Barrett - Young two way player that always chooses the harder defensive assignments on the wing. This guy attacks the basket with ferocity, not afraid to finish through contact. He plays SG and not SF and takes advantage of that size advantage in the post while running double pick and roll and pops with Randle and Robinson. This guy isn’t afraid to pass, but when the game is on the line, he is going to the rack with an intent to finish strong. The game slows down for him and he sees guys cutting when the defense collapses, knowing it’s ok to toss the ball to Robinson to end the game. Barrett wants the shot but he wants the win more.

3&D SF. Is this Cam Reddish? Tari Eason? This is a long lanky player that is a badger on defense. This guy can’t wait to get on the ball defense and create havoc. He doesn’t need the ball on offense, he is willing to fight for it on the boards. Hr has long arms that break up passing lanes and a quick step that takes his defense past the 3 point line. This guy affects the game without the ball in his hands.

Derrick Rose. This guy stops deferring to other point guards and takes ownership of the floor in the starting lineup. Maybe he doesn’t have the athleticism of his more youthful years, but like a Championship Derrick Fisher he plays ball the right way and initiates the offense to get Barrett and Randle good starting position. The days of the PG just dribbling the ball past half court are over. He initiates the offense from the paint once the defense is broken. He leads by example of how Coach wants this game played.

Robinson. This man is the defensive anchor which shuts down the paint for all but the most aggressive players. He redound his quick bounce and challenges shots multiple times per possession. He closes out to the three point line if needed and recovers. He boxes out but knows when to release and take a pass.

Obviously there is a lot of hope and desire in this write up. I can’t say that any of this occurs. Question is honestly whether this best version of this team is good enough to win. It doesn’t need to be this year. Maybe more time for growth with this team is needed.

Made a minor tweak, but agree with most of what you said.

APPROVED

Should be Taylor Ham, Over Easy Egg, and Cheese on an everything bagel.

EwingsGlass wrote:

jrodmc wrote:

fishmike wrote:its a show me year for a lot of parts.

I like Thib's handling of young players (the dev coaches, the extra practice before the practice, how Grimes, IQ, Obi, McBride, Sims all look when they get their chances)
I like FO filling the roster with young drafted guys vs. 30 year old role players

Will we see better version of Randle?
Will IQ/McBride/Obi/Grimes/RJ/Sims all take steps forward
Will Reddish be of any use?
Will Fournier still be on the squad?

I dont think we are very good. We are better managed and have some parts but honestly as foundations go that's pretty weak. I was hoping FO would find a way to use the massive cap space last year to add impact talent. They didnt. I'm not sure what the path to doing that is. Plenty of mid-late lottery picks have turned into bigtime players and even stars.

I can be as patient as needed. Really the big factor is Randle. His first season under Thibs was eye poppping. His 2nd not so much. Which version of that duo/dynamic do we see?

We're seeing nice pseudo-things this post-season from Randle already. Maybe it was just the crowds + pressure of being the face + new baby = thumbs down + grumpyazz ****itude. Maybe we see him settle in as the elder statesman All-Star, WE HERE-first guy we've seen before.

I think we've already seen IQ/Obi take steps. End of a season, but steps nonetheless.
Grimes could become a cold-blooded killer.
Mitch is apparently going to get his contract here, if that other thread that fishguy posted is credible. If Mitch can get to even 70% at the FT line, I'll be doing handstands. Same for Sims.

Does Thibs and staff suddenly and miraculously get Fournier to start playing noticeable defense? WTF will people complain about with him then? He doesn't make RJ better?

Can we start the pre-season without any Kemba drama at all?

Can we please take up some sort of cartilage donations for DRose? Burks needs to be our level-headed SMOTY.

Fournier showed some defensive improvements toward the end of season. His lapses were more manageable without him and Kemba on the floor.

EF was better second half of the season. I’m hoping he has an Allan Houston arc- sucks first year here then gets better