(12-29-2020, 01:11 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: If THJ was shooting 40% from 3 we wouldn't need him to go to the bench to get his shots.

(12-29-2020, 01:24 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: My thinking (only 3 games in) is that the combo of Richardson, Luka and THJ is a little small. I feel like A) Richardson’s guard skills on offense and B) DFS’s shooting off of the catch complement each other enough to lessen the need for Hardaway to be in the starting lineup, whether he’s playing well or not. 

I REALLY think the team’s biggest weakness is the 4. I’m not married to DFS as a starter, but I’m not ready to give up on that, either, so I think giving him some time as the starting 3 is logical. If that works as I expect, this thing might be one starter (a 4 - either a very strong, long forward or a very quick, agile, smart big) away.

So, my thinking is that with either Hield or THJ should be a bench player. It’s only three games in, again, but if I still feel that way at the deadline, give me THJ.  OR, use THJ to acquire that 4, not to acquire the same type of player.

(12-29-2020, 01:08 PM)SleepingHero Wrote:

(12-29-2020, 09:12 AM)embellisher Wrote: But when we start talking about THJ + another asset for a guy who is really only a lateral move, and less of a complete player, that's an overpay.

What if you make this deal and he messes up chemistry, either on the court, or in the locker room?

Yeah, you can probably move him, but if you've given up a starter + assets, it's a bad deal.

And if he messes up the locker room, you might have to attach an asset to get him out of here as well.

First, any trade can mess up chemistry. It's an assumed risk because we're trying to raise the talent level. Sometimes it works out very well (I.E. Josh Richardson). Other times not so much (I.E Rondo).

But if you want to raise the talent level of the team, you need to take risks.

Second, I don't know why we have to downplay Hield as a player and at the same time prop up THJ. What does THJ do that makes him a more complete player than Hield? Because I don't see it.

Defense? Largely equal between them all things considered
Passing? THJ does not pass the ball. Buddy has a higher average APG. Not like he passes the ball either, but it's still higher.
Ball handling? I mean THJ does handle the ball and let him dribble to find open looks. But like Buddy it isn't a strong suit and not why we're playing him
Shooting? It's not even a discussion
Scoring? Buddy has averaged higher PPG the last 2 years than THJ's peak of 18ppg. Yes it's on the Kings, but THJ was on the Knicks and still didn't crack 20ppg.

Am I missing anything? Don't get me wrong. THJ isn't a bad player per say and I've come around on him. He fills a role here, but there are other 2-guards that are much better than him. And Buddy would fill what we're asking THJ to do here much better.

I'm now going to change my title to SleepingHero: Gamethread Announcer, Staunch Buddy Defender, King of the Andals, 1st of his name.

(12-29-2020, 01:24 PM)KillerLeft Wrote:

(12-29-2020, 01:11 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: If THJ was shooting 40% from 3 we wouldn't need him to go to the bench to get his shots.

I don’t agree.

My thinking (only 3 games in) is that the combo of Richardson, Luka and THJ is a little small. I feel like A) Richardson’s guard skills on offense and B) DFS’s shooting off of the catch complement each other enough to lessen the need for Hardaway to be in the starting lineup, whether he’s playing well or not.

I REALLY think the team’s biggest weakness is the 4. I’m not married to DFS as a starter, but I’m not ready to give up on that, either, so I think giving him some time as the starting 3 is logical. If that works as I expect, this thing might be one starter (a 4 - either a very strong, long forward or a very quick, agile, smart big) away.

So, my thinking is that with either Hield or THJ should be a bench player. It’s only three games in, again, but if I still feel that way at the deadline, give me THJ. OR, use THJ to acquire that 4, not to acquire the same type of player.

(12-29-2020, 03:03 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: TBH, Maxi nearly answers that bill - perhaps not up to snuff in boards.

(12-29-2020, 03:11 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote:

(12-29-2020, 03:03 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: TBH, Maxi nearly answers that bill - perhaps not up to snuff in boards.

I don't think Maxi is the post defender we need from that starting spot either.

(12-29-2020, 03:03 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: If you think that JRich is good enough in the playmaking department, and that Brunson can be trusted to run the team when Luka sits (head scratch....)

(12-29-2020, 03:11 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: I don't think Maxi is the post defender we need from that starting spot either.

(12-29-2020, 03:47 PM)Kammrath Wrote: https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1344013422862675970


Draymond would theoretically be a good fit.....but man I think he is on a steep downslope in his career.

(12-29-2020, 03:50 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: Yeah, and who on the Mavs would GSW want?

(12-29-2020, 03:26 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: PJ Tucker
Larry Nance Jr. 
Aaron Gordon
John Henson (currently out of the league, which isn't a good look for the possibility of him being a qualified starter...)
Nemanja Bjelica
Mike Muscala
Chris Boucher
Kevin Love
Lauri Markannen
Wendell Carter Jr.

(12-29-2020, 03:52 PM)Kammrath Wrote: I am not sure I would give up much more than THJ and DP and one small asset. I just do not trust him to age well and he isn't spreading the floor at all these days.

(12-29-2020, 03:52 PM)Kammrath Wrote: I am not sure I would give up much more than THJ and DP and one small asset. I just do not trust him to age well and he isn't spreading the floor at all these days.

(12-29-2020, 01:24 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I don’t agree.

My thinking (only 3 games in) is that the combo of Richardson, Luka and THJ is a little small. I feel like A) Richardson’s guard skills on offense and B) DFS’s shooting off of the catch complement each other enough to lessen the need for Hardaway to be in the starting lineup, whether he’s playing well or not. 

I REALLY think the team’s biggest weakness is the 4. I’m not married to DFS as a starter, but I’m not ready to give up on that, either, so I think giving him some time as the starting 3 is logical. If that works as I expect, this thing might be one starter (a 4 - either a very strong, long forward or a very quick, agile, smart big) away.

So, my thinking is that with either Hield or THJ should be a bench player. It’s only three games in, again, but if I still feel that way at the deadline, give me THJ.  OR, use THJ to acquire that 4, not to acquire the same type of player.

(12-29-2020, 10:43 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I helped drive the Hield bus for a while this off-season, but now I’m thinking I’d rather have whichever player (he or THJ) would be less likely to cause trouble about coming off of the bench. Since I believe that’s Hardaway, who we already know loves it here and fits into the culture, I think I’m into playing this out. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a THJ apologist, but if he hasn’t found a role here that makes sense for the team by the trade deadline, I’m into moving him...I just don’t know that another guard with a similar game who expects to start and finish games would be my preference. 

Then again, so many things might look completely different by then.

(12-29-2020, 02:59 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: 2-guard? We already have a better two-guard than both of those guys in terms of fit if not overall talent - JRich.

(12-29-2020, 04:39 PM)SleepingHero Wrote:

(12-29-2020, 02:59 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: 2-guard? We already have a better two-guard than both of those guys in terms of fit if not overall talent - JRich.

I love JRich and think he will be one of our best players but I do not think he is better than Buddy Hield currently. I think he provides some much needed defense, integral even. But Buddy provides the same sort of impact on offense in my mind.