Now with Brunson, RJ should be even further from the no.1 scoring pot. Brunson is the best scoring option on this team. He should have the ball in his hands the most. He can score and his attacking the basket will make life easier for everyone else.

Randle is absolutely the no.2 option and it isn't even close. If Randle can maintain this version of himself where he lets Brunson make life easier for him he will have a very productive year. Hopefully he can even get close to All Star Randle cuz lord we need that.

That leaves RJ as no.3 and Fournier as no.4. That seems to be a recipe for mediocrity and I really don't think RJ even accepts that role. RJ really wants to be the man. He wants to take over at the end of games and he really doesn't have any elite skills that back that up.

Further complicating things is the Cam Reddish Conundrum. While Cam flashed his god given gifts last night, he needs to continue to put in the work to improve and become a consistent player with an elite level possibly unlocked down the road. If he can stay healthy, can he get there, I don't know. His length is very disruptive on defense and he has a little dog in him on that end of the floor. That alone should earn him minutes. I really didn't like Cam playing with IQ, but put his with some players who can pass and create he was much more comfortable (que Brunson, Randle and Hart). He isn't there yet, but Cam has a real chance here to make an argument for playing time and he could even push his way into the SL if he can figure it all out.

With Grimes coming back eventually and if Cam can continue to push his case to play, IQ would be the odd man out and Fournier with reduced minutes. Why IQ? He is your classic tweener with no elite skill. At his position, Fournier is the better player and Grimes has an elite skill and is showing positive growth.

We are not here yet but I think the following line up changes would be more balanced to start games

Brunson
Fournier
Reddish
Randle
Robinson

Rose
Grimes
Barrett
Toppin
Hart

From here, let match ups dictate who gets minutes because several of these guys are interchangeable and can play with the 1st unit

Panos wrote:Classic 1 game overreaction!
Yesterday before the game Cam was trash. Now he's a starter.
Last year, RJ had like 10+ 30 pt games.

I just assume nobody reads anything I post so really it's no big deal. I am still being consistent with what I've posted before. I admit Cam was testing my faith but after a game like yesterday you know it's in there somewhere. RJ, is not a no.1, 2 or 3 option and he looks like he is even bigger and slower than he was last year. IQ is a chucker and always will be. RJ and Barrett need to pump the brakes on their heat check BS. They are both low efficiency volume shooters. RJ would be better in the 2nd unit. I posted that many times here. IQ tweeter, RJ, tweener, Cam not a tweener but has been unlucky with injuries. It's all been said before. It's not a one game sample. RJ is in his 4th year, IQ in his 3rd

But obviously we're still missing top end talent. I wasn't really big on giving Barrett the extension unless we can ultimately deal him in a trade that can land us a great player.

We're still a middling team with no real #1 option, really #2 either so these guys kind of have to alternate trying to force themselves into those roles.

homeskillitprigioni wrote:The overall issue we have with this team is we have 3 guys that are probably the #3 or 4 option on a championship-caliber team with Brunson, Randle, and Barrett. We have some solid complimentary pieces as well.

But obviously we're still missing top end talent. I wasn't really big on giving Barrett the extension unless we can ultimately deal him in a trade that can land us a great player.

We're still a middling team with no real #1 option, really #2 either so these guys kind of have to alternate trying to force themselves into those roles.

For what it’s worth Brunson was a #2 on a contender last year. I know #1 was luka but it still holds true. I see Brunson as our #1 right now. He can get to his spots the easiest and is most efficient once he gets there. Randle and Barrett are 2A and 2B similar to last year as 1A and 1B. But Barrett can eventually take over.

Knixkik wrote:

homeskillitprigioni wrote:The overall issue we have with this team is we have 3 guys that are probably the #3 or 4 option on a championship-caliber team with Brunson, Randle, and Barrett. We have some solid complimentary pieces as well.

But obviously we're still missing top end talent. I wasn't really big on giving Barrett the extension unless we can ultimately deal him in a trade that can land us a great player.

We're still a middling team with no real #1 option, really #2 either so these guys kind of have to alternate trying to force themselves into those roles.

For what it’s worth Brunson was a #2 on a contender last year. I know #1 was luka but it still holds true. I see Brunson as our #1 right now. He can get to his spots the easiest and is most efficient once he gets there. Randle and Barrett are 2A and 2B similar to last year as 1A and 1B. But Barrett can eventually take over.

#2 to Luka, probably a top 3 player in the NBA, is a huge difference though and it still wasn't for a championship-level team. He probably needed to be a #3 there for them to have a shot. I would agree that he's likely our #1...but overall that's the issue with this team, we really don't have a real 1 or 2.

Rookie wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:Don't understand why people think good teams have a number One, Two, thee options?
Good teams play in the flow of the game, read defenses, take advantage of mismatches and hit open players.
Brunson is the PG. His job is to get players involved. Create for others. Break down the defense and get to the paint. Then make the right play.
RJs job as SF is to create off the dribble, make open shots, defend. Then make the right pla!
Randle's job as a PF us to rebound, impose a physical presence, go strong to basket, post mismatches and to make the right play!
EFs job as SF is to spread floor, hit threes, create off the dribble then make the right play!
This whole first, second option is what BAD teams worry about.

I know you are not ok with RJ and IQ taking 18 shots and many of them forced low percentage attempts. Neither of them shoot well from 3 and both consistently miss or get blocked at the rim. They need to chip and as you say, play in the flow. Sometimes they do, and then they don't. Neither are elite enough to take over and put the team on their back. They should know that by now.

Not at all. Agree with you Think both played out of the flow, forced the issue and we're not focussed on what the defense was giving the Knicks on each possession.
That was my point. Even with a so called "First" option, good teams need to play good, smart basketball. They just can't stand on the side and watch their first option take over.
Right now we have several players that just don't have a high level of basketball IQ.
The first game (and the next 20) will be a chance to see if we have a bunch of guys that think basketball is about getting their points or making the right play to win as a team..
I did not see anything from RJ that shows me his basketball IQ has improved. Way too early but first game was more of what he has shown in the past. Brunson also seemed more focussed on being that first option than being a solid floor general. EF was still trying to win Eurobasket scoring title.
Only player that seemed to have gotten the message was Randle. Except for a few too many three's.
Our second unit has Rose, who looked as though someone was counting down from 5 every time he touches the ball. IQ has not seen a shot he does not like. Obi is still focussed on dunking. Cam shots fell but did not show any type of fundamental reads or heads up play. Do have to give him credit as his energy level was high and showed his physical makeup can make a difference in the NBA.
Hart was probably our headiest player. Caught the ball and actually read the defense, set up picks, got the ball to the open man. Imagine if all our guys did that.

What is promising, however, is that we were one or two calls away from winning the game. Shows that we have the talent to beat top tier teams. Hopefully the kids hit the classroom and the video room.
The faster they realize basketball is not about who is the first option, the better we will be.