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Post by DERRENMATTS on Nov 30, 2020 16:44:29 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, Thompson and Teague
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Nov 30, 2020 17:24:53 GMT -5
Let’s consider the team we have.
We lost in the ECF last season, missing the Finals by a couple of games. We had a banged up Hayward and Kemba, and still got that far.
Since then, we bolstered our bench (a big weakness) by acquiring Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague. Thompson is a big up grade defensively over Kanter, and Teague is an overall upgrade over Wanamaker.
We drafted 2 capable shooters who should be able to knock down 3’s right off the bat. That was also a sore spot last season.
We should have beaten the Heat last season, but this roster is better balanced to do the job this year.
Feel like we are just missing an extra scorer off the bench. I like how Terrence Ross can light it up. Wonder how we can pry him away from Orlando?
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Nov 30, 2020 17:52:48 GMT -5
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Nov 30, 2020 19:55:49 GMT -5
Here’s idea — why not have Kemba come off the bench? It will allow him to do what he does best (score) and not rely on him to distribute. We’ll play him less minutes as well.
In the backcourt maybe have Teague and Smart?
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Post by eja117 on Nov 30, 2020 21:55:10 GMT -5
Here’s idea — why not have Kemba come off the bench? It will allow him to do what he does best (score) and not rely on him to distribute. We’ll play him less minutes as well. In the backcourt maybe have Teague and Smart? Kemba as 6th man going against 2nd tier guys does not bother me at all. I think that depends a tad on how Teague and PP turn out, but I would absolutely be interested in that. If you look at how it was pretty helpful sometimes to have Gordan Hayward come off the bench I could see how that could work. Maybe it could also lead to Smart shooting a little less. If he was suddenly starting pg and Brad was like "Marcus. We just want you to play insane defense and only shoot if you are wide open. That's all. Please just do that." That could work
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Nov 30, 2020 23:09:28 GMT -5
Here’s idea — why not have Kemba come off the bench? It will allow him to do what he does best (score) and not rely on him to distribute. We’ll play him less minutes as well. In the backcourt maybe have Teague and Smart? Kemba as 6th man going against 2nd tier guys does not bother me at all. I think that depends a tad on how Teague and PP turn out, but I would absolutely be interested in that. If you look at how it was pretty helpful sometimes to have Gordan Hayward come off the bench I could see how that could work. Maybe it could also lead to Smart shooting a little less. If he was suddenly starting pg and Brad was like "Marcus. We just want you to play insane defense and only shoot if you are wide open. That's all. Please just do that." That could work When Pritchard can handle starting duties, it would make more sense to start him and Smart together. Since Kemba is undersized, it would be better to pair him with a taller ball handler like Teague.
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Post by afceltic on Dec 1, 2020 7:13:13 GMT -5
Here’s idea — why not have Kemba come off the bench? It will allow him to do what he does best (score) and not rely on him to distribute. We’ll play him less minutes as well. In the backcourt maybe have Teague and Smart? Kemba as 6th man going against 2nd tier guys does not bother me at all. I think that depends a tad on how Teague and PP turn out, but I would absolutely be interested in that. If you look at how it was pretty helpful sometimes to have Gordan Hayward come off the bench I could see how that could work. Maybe it could also lead to Smart shooting a little less. If he was suddenly starting pg and Brad was like "Marcus. We just want you to play insane defense and only shoot if you are wide open. That's all. Please just do that." That could work No it wouldn't because Smart wouldn't listen. Smart has to be out 7th man just like Tony Allen was for us to win a championship.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 1, 2020 10:41:27 GMT -5
Kemba is not going to play early in the season, and neither will Romeo, while they rehab their body (knee and hand).
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Post by jmost on Dec 1, 2020 12:51:56 GMT -5
I'm going to make a bold prediction. If Pritchard looks like he can play decent PG, and Romeo can stay healthy, Smart will be traded before next season. Danny would never admit this publicly, but it appears he's been willing to part with Smart in trades. Kemba, Teague, Pritchard and Waters is plenty of PG depth and Smart has never been, and will never be, an ideal SG. I like him better than I used to, but my gut reaction upon hearing he was traded would be relief.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 1, 2020 13:31:09 GMT -5
From what I read somewhere, and it seems from a legit source (Lowe or someone like that, I think), if Ainge made Smart available, all 30 teams would be calling.
From what Ainge and Brad said this morning, they are moving forward with Tatum, Jaylen and Smart as the nucleus of the team.
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Post by jmost on Dec 1, 2020 16:30:13 GMT -5
I wouldn't expect Danny to say anything different, but I think Smart is available if the right piece is within reach.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 1, 2020 17:15:42 GMT -5
I’m not connected to Smart in any way, so if a trade makes sense, I’m not fretting.
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Post by jmost on Dec 1, 2020 19:37:14 GMT -5
My feelings about Smart are similar to what they were with Antoine. Not entirely negative, but a feeling that both lack something upstairs. Do you think Smart's presence might prevent JT from really stepping up as the leader of this team?
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Post by freshnthehouse on Dec 1, 2020 20:41:31 GMT -5
That's interesting, JMost. What always irked me about antoine was his lack of effort. Dude would never get himself in peak shape. He hated the weight room, which is unacceptable in today's NBA. You have to put in the work. Marcus, despite his faults, has an incredible work ethic. Dude is the epitome of doing the little things. Taking charges, diving for lose balls, etc, etc.
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Post by eja117 on Dec 1, 2020 22:11:19 GMT -5
I think as much as Smart makes some mistakes on offense he covers up a lot of mistakes on defense and otherwise. He pretty much single handedly won us an important playoff game with his shooting, which is something I never thought I'd say.
He has a good contract and brings a ton of energy and attack. I don't think he's a locker room problem. Both Jaylen and Jayson resigned here for max contracts. It's not like they had a problem being here. Now with Kemba hurt we need him more.
I don't exactly get why we would be more mad about Smart's shooting than say Tatum's niceness
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