For the Offseason....

[JayBirdHawk]

1 hour ago, RandomFan said:

We don't really need another ball handler.

Yes we do, we need a backup PG in the Trae mold - one that can push the pace, get in the lane and pass or score. 

Yes Huerter and Bogi are capable enough as secondary ball handlers - but I think what we lack is a guy that can get an EASY basket, a guy that is capable of getting us a basket if the initial play breaks down with a first step to blow by a guy for an easy score. 

That maybe Hunter or Reddish, but we still need that player from the PG position off the bench.

[Spud2nique]

After we win the Larry O’Brien this year we don’t have to do squat! They all come to us. 

[RandomFan]

1 hour ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Yes we do, we need a backup PG in the Trae mold - one that can push the pace, get in the lane and pass or score. 

Yes Huerter and Bogi are capable enough as secondary ball handlers - but I think what we lack is a guy that can get an EASY basket, a guy that is capable of getting us a basket if the initial play breaks down with a first step to blow by a guy for an easy score. 

That maybe Hunter or Reddish, but we still need that player from the PG position off the bench.

You severely underestimate Heurter and especially a healthy Bogi in their ability to be primary ball handlers when Trae is out of the game. Personally I would rather keep Dunn as an on-ball defensive specialist and have the offense run through K'von or Bogi when Trae sits. But if not, then a Rose, Rubio, Dinwiddie, or a McConnell. But even then, Rose is about the only one of those that can go get you a bucket like you're talking about. 

I'm not opposed to adding one of these types of players for depth, if we can afford it. I'm just not seeing it as a need like some are; I view it more as a luxury. Especially since they likely wouldn't factor heavily in our playoff rotation next year. 

Gotta remember Lou might not even be seeing the court right now if Hunter and Cam had been healthy and in the rotation most of the year and were currently playing. 

Edited June 29, 2021 by RandomFan

[JayBirdHawk]

44 minutes ago, RandomFan said:

You severely underestimate Heurter and especially a healthy Bogi in their ability to be primary ball handlers when Trae is out of the game. Personally I would rather keep Dunn as an on-ball defensive specialist and have the offense run through K'von or Bogi when Trae sits. But if not, then a Rose, Rubio, Dinwiddie, or a McConnell. But even then, Rose is about the only one of those that can go get you a bucket like you're talking about. 

I'm not underestimating them.  I know exactly what their skillsets are and neither are players that can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket off a quick first step and score with EASE, they don't force the action in the paint that will cause a defense to collapse and/or get to the freethrow line.

What they can do is run the offense effectively for themselves and the team.

[RandomFan]

Just now, JayBirdHawk said:

I'm not underestimating them.  I know exactly what their skillsets are and neither are players that can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket off a quick first step and score with EASE, they don't force the action in the paint that will cause a defense to collapse and/or get to the freethrow line.

What they can do is run the offense effectively for themselves and the team.

Now ask how many players exist in the NBA that can do what you are wanting there. Not that many; and usually very well compensated. And then how many of those would actually be backups. That's a tiny list. In a perfect world it would be great to have one of those guys on our bench, just not very realistic. 

[JayBirdHawk]

5 minutes ago, RandomFan said:

Now ask how many players exist in the NBA that can do what you are wanting there. Not that many; and usually very well compensated. And then how many of those would actually be backups. That's a tiny list. In a perfect world it would be great to have one of those guys on our bench, just not very realistic. 

This is my point - the pace of play is decidedly different when Trae is off the floor.  Both Bogi and Huerter don't bring that high level skill to ball handling if pressured. Hawks are still in need if a skilled ball handler to backup Trae.

[RandomFan]

Just now, JayBirdHawk said:

This is my point - the pace of play is decidedly different when Trae is off the floor.  Both Bogi and Huerter don't bring that high level skill to ball handling if pressured. Hawks are still in need if a skilled ball handler to backup Trae.

You keep saying that, but who?

It's not like you're gonna find another Trae under the christmas tree. Nobody is gonna replicate what Trae brings when he sits, nobody. Lou definitely doesn't bring that. But that doesn't mean our offense has to go stagnant when Trae sits. We still have guys that can initiate the offense and be scorers; especially Heurter once he's able to go back to the bench instead of being forced into a starting role due to injuries. 

Again, it hurts our team when Trae sits because we are currently missing Hunter and Cam from our rotation. That's kind of a huge deal. How much better do you think our bench scoring will be if Solo isn't in the game? Or once Yeka is no longer a rookie? Or once Cam is in the game? It's not all on the ball handler. 

[Diesel]

2 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Yes we do, we need a backup PG in the Trae mold - one that can push the pace, get in the lane and pass or score. 

Yes Huerter and Bogi are capable enough as secondary ball handlers - but I think what we lack is a guy that can get an EASY basket, a guy that is capable of getting us a basket if the initial play breaks down with a first step to blow by a guy for an easy score. 

That maybe Hunter or Reddish, but we still need that player from the PG position off the bench.

Not just that but a guy who can get us into sets. 

We have Dunn but I don't know.   Plus he's prolly going to opt out. 

Maybe Austin Rivers. 

[JayBirdHawk]

24 minutes ago, RandomFan said:

You keep saying that, but who?

It's not like you're gonna find another Trae under the christmas tree. Nobody is gonna replicate what Trae brings when he sits, nobody. Lou definitely doesn't bring that. But that doesn't mean our offense has to go stagnant when Trae sits. We still have guys that can initiate the offense and be scorers; especially Heurter once he's able to go back to the bench instead of being forced into a starting role due to injuries. 

Again, it hurts our team when Trae sits because we are currently missing Hunter and Cam from our rotation. That's kind of a huge deal. How much better do you think our bench scoring will be if Solo isn't in the game? Or once Yeka is no longer a rookie? Or once Cam is in the game? It's not all on the ball handler. 

I don't expect an identical Trae, what I do know is what we've had at back PG since drafting Trae isn't adequate.  I want someone closer to his ability than not.

[Diesel]

26 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

I don't expect an identical Trae, what I do know is what we've had at back PG since drafting Trae isn't adequate.  I want someone closer to his ability than not.

Actually...

I like to think that we would have a shot at drafting Duece McBride.   He's a good 3&D PG who can playmake. 

Then we would have:

Trae... followed by The Duece.

 

 

[Alex]

The guys who are not signed after this season can all leave and the team would be fine.  Assuming Collins sticks around.