Preseason: C's vs. Raptors, Pt II

[DERRENMATTS]

No our biggest problem is the youthfulness of the team, followed closely by the lack of chemistry on the team. We just have too many players who have had little to no playing time in the NBA. We are going to go through our growing pains as the players get to know one antoher's playing style. And we also have to go through the process of developing players. Guys like Jefferson, Perkins, West, Gomes, Greene, and Reed are still developing their games to fit in with the NBA style, and we are relying on these players to produce for us off the bench.

Eja, don't think for a minute that we'll be at this stage forever. I think we have a good chance of developing our players quickly. Gomes and Delonte are smart players who I bet will adjust rather quickly. Jefferson is really a quick learner, and just like he showed last year, he has no fears. Orien seems to be developing into an NBA PG with each game and with each pass.

But don't count on us starting the season on a 10 game winning streak. But as the season wears on, we'll start to see the players coming together and start 'getting it'.

[ferbo]

One of biggest p roblems is youth.

One of biggest assets is youth.

With the youth, the team has the potential of the best depth in decades.

Finding right combination is the key. I was disappointed---though not surprised---at the comment that playing Gomes and Reed together doesn't work well. if Doc can get the guys placed right, then the second unit ought to get good minutes, which speeds up the learning curve. B y good minutes, I mean that PP and Davis aren't playing 38-40 mpg. The second unit needs to be able to functioni well enough so that none of t he starters regularly goes beyond 32-24 mpg. That will be easier to do if there is a mix which will give it a scorer to go to and which can create sufficient ball movement.

[DERRENMATTS]

Correct, Ferbo. As they develop, Rivers should play Gomes and Reed more so that Ricky and Pierce won't have to play 40 minutes a game. And we shouldn't be worse by them not playing 40 minutes a game.