07-22-2024, 09:01 PM
(07-22-2024, 08:46 PM)F Gump Wrote: 1 My apologies. Not intended. I thought I was properly speaking to your intended point, but you know better than me. Sorry.
2 My perception of "why did they sign SD" and "how does he fit" is certainly different than yours.
...a. I think he was signed to fill in for players who do create offense, and don't play defense that well (because that's who he is) -- and I don't think he will be used otherwise.
...b. I don't think he will play a lot, barring some significant extend-time injury to either Luka or Kyrie. Because he's here imo as insurance for those players.
...c. In fact, I'm not convinced SD will be above Exum in the general pecking order, because Exum has already shown he is a 2-way player who can also be used as 2nd (or 3rd) ball-handler/creator. SD would have to be WAYYYYY better on the offensive end, in order to be higher in the pecking order. imo
I like A, B and C, and you could be right on the money. If so, the only casualty here is Hardy's chance of breaking through this season, as Dinwiddie will undoubtedly be ahead of him in the pecking order. And now, we've come back full circle.
If you (the general "you", not you, "FGump") aren't high on Hardy, it's easy to see this as inconsequential, especially if your A, B and C are correct. At that point, we're just debating the merits of the 12th-15th guys on the roster, right? But if, like me, Hardy's impending breakout season (whether real or delusional) was part of why you were excited for the upcoming season to start, then today kind of sucks. That's all I'm saying. Hardy's path just got tougher, and right or wrong, I wonder if that's not detrimental to the team in the long run.
I think Exum is a liiiiittle safer, due to him having utility at more than one position and in more than one role, though I do think his unwillingness to engage, offensively, is likely viewed as more of a problem (from the decision makers' perspectives) than you seem to believe. Gun to my head, I probably lean towards your C being correct, given what we know today, but I don't think it's crazy to wonder if it might go the other way.