(07-23-2024, 12:06 AM)F Gump Wrote: Yeah, not sure if I follow your reasoning, but I think you're saying ....
"They signed SD because Hardy isn't good enough, especially as a scoring PG to run the offense (which was their dream)."
(a) Yep, sounds about right. I think that was one of the things they have wanted Hardy to become. And he just didn't.
(b) I think they have moved on from Hardy for the most part. They're finding better answers and have stopped waiting.
I think SD is envisioned as the emergency PG (and not as a potential THJ or Hardy replacement), and will split those very limited minutes with Exum, with SD as the emergency PG who can score and distribute, and Exum as the emergency PG who can defend and distribute. A very limited role, except in emergencies and "load management" situations.
A and B are correct - meaning that’s my thinking.
As for the rest…Yes, Dinwiddie was added last, or almost last, yes, he was obtained from the bargain pile, and yes, he is paid like an emergency option. I do agree that it COULD play out like suggest. But I think assuming it will play out that way overlooks one ginormous thing:
While you keep trumpeting the virtues of Exum, who I also like (please don’t get me wrong), I haven’t seen you address the fact that he was the underachiever during the playoffs that they didn’t plan for. It was his, specific ball-handling role that malfunctioned and left him on the outside of the rotation when they needed another one of those. It was he who created the void they desperately tried to fill with Hardy, who, at the time, was deemed to be a better risk in those circumstances, despite clearly not being ready. For all of Exum’s merits, causing the offense to play 4 on 5 was more of a problem than even Hardy’s lack of defensive awareness or his inexperience plying his offensive game in high-leverage situations against the best teams in the league.
I see that, and then I see this Dinwiddie signing, and I think they might have more in mind for him than just emergency. I think there could be some correlation there, even if it’s just wishful on their part.
Like I said before, maybe Exum comes in with a healthy understanding of what he needs to focus on in order to avoid this outcome in round 2 - I certainly hope so, because so much of what he does is quite helpful. Maybe Hardy is even closer than I think and he will win a role even with Dinwiddie in his way. And, I suppose, if neither of those things happen, it will be nice to have Dinwiddie around.