Pre-season game #2

[Winter]

Pretty sure I saw Powell dribble between his legs. It was early, I may have been seeing things that weren't there.

Ha! He doesn't look like an old man out there, does he.

[Chicagojk]

I watched most of the game.   I also saw a youtube highlight reel of Riscaher's good moments.  IMO, the real game had good moments from him, but also several shaky moments.  I think he will be a roller coaster ride, but I really think they are going to be patient with him and put him in good situations and hopefully he slowly develops into the player they hope.   There is something there, but it is going to take time and there will be rocky moments.   I think there is a good chance he starts and gets a lot of minutes with Cooper and Kyrie.   

I think Sergio will be pressured by the good teams if he gets minutes early.   It will also be a learning experience.    He just looks like he belongs.    He doesn't dominate the ball but it is amazing how a lot of the simple passes and the amazing passes are ones he is typically involved with.   In his early career, I think one of this strengths will be the ability to play with a lot of different lineups.   He just sort of finds a way to fit in.   

I thought PJ looked real good.   Felt really in control.  He started last year well, but then got injured and never really got going again.    He looked real good in the role today.    

Small sample size but haven't seen much of Howard yet.    Tobi has something though.  It is a long way away and may never materialize, but there is something to give him time  and work with him.    He really hasn't shown any perimeter stuff yet, but what he has shown does show some potential.

[yudi_dirk41]

Only caught the second half live, the first half was during my commute. Agree on the rookie, a few nice reads and then a couple of possessions where he looked lost on switches. That's normal for preseason, I'd worry more if they hid him.

Powell looked bouncy to me too. Hard to judge anyone properly when the rotation changes every six minutes, but I'd rather see him moving like that in October than not at all.

[ballsrchr]

I watched most of the game.   I also saw a youtube highlight reel of Riscaher's good moments.  IMO, the real game had good moments from him, but also several shaky moments.  I think he will be a roller coaster ride, but I really think they are going to be patient with him and put him in good situations and hopefully he slowly develops into the player they hope.   There is something there, but it is going to take time and there will be rocky moments.   I think there is a good chance he starts and gets a lot of minutes with Cooper and Kyrie.   

I think Sergio will be pressured by the good teams if he gets minutes early.   It will also be a learning experience.    He just looks like he belongs.    He doesn't dominate the ball but it is amazing how a lot of the simple passes and the amazing passes are ones he is typically involved with.   In his early career, I think one of this strengths will be the ability to play with a lot of different lineups.   He just sort of finds a way to fit in.   

I thought PJ looked real good.   Felt really in control.  He started last year well, but then got injured and never really got going again.    He looked real good in the role today.    

Small sample size but haven't seen much of Howard yet.    Tobi has something though.  It is a long way away and may never materialize, but there is something to give him time  and work with him.    He really hasn't shown any perimeter stuff yet, but what he has shown does show some potential.

I watched ALL of the game.  Yeah...highlight reels are just that--highlights.  I don't know that I've ever seen lowlight reels.  But still...Risacher does have something.  He's a little raw and needs a lot of development.  I don't know that I would be starting him though.

Other than that I pretty much agree with you.  Sergio De Larrea is sneakily good in stealth mode.  Playing time and development--that's what he needs.  I don't know if he'll start, but he should.  Lawal looked good...yeah a bit raw, and just like the rest of our new guys, he need development.  I'm hoping the player coaches (and coach) do a better job this year (than last year!) with player development.

Last year PJ didn't look good.  I may have been hasty in saying he can't play with Flagg.  I like PJ!

Kyrie looked like Kyrie--and that's good enough.

[Winter]

Given Powell's play in these pre-season games.... is there an argument to be made?

With this team, at this time, is Powell more valuable than Cisse??

Is Powell more important for the stablity of all the young players this season than Cisse's potential in future seasons?? Powell is not just sitting on the bench. He is being used on the perimeter to help run the offense as a connector.

I would not have thought this last week, but there is now an argument to be made for this year... and there's a player on this team that will soon be let go.

[DanSchwartzgan]

It was a tale of two Zach’s.  He has looked rushed and flustered at times and you think - no way this works.  Then, that burst late yesterday was quite impressive.  The threes looked smooth and easy.  The putback dunks happened enough to make you think that happens regularly and that turnaround jumper was the kind of thing 20+ point scorers do.  ZR scored 20 or more 10 times in ATL…8 his first season.  The team was 9-1 in those games.

Meanwhile, Christie looked much more confident taking people off the dribble than in the past.  He looks stronger.  May said something in his comments about Powell about his play with the second unit guys and specifically named Christie and Larry.  Was that the second unit guys that game or second unit guys in the team’s plans for the season.  If so, then Larry/Christie/Marshall forms a logical beginning to the bench unit.

I think Larry is so important to the long term around here.  I hope he’s in that second unit from day one for better or worse.  Sasser can be the new BWill and get his shots when Kyrie sits.  So far, Larry’s shot looks true and he makes lots of great little decisions.  I’m excited to watch his development.

[Chicagojk]

Given Powell's play in these pre-season games.... is there an argument to be made?

With this team, at this time, is Powell more valuable than Cisse??

Is Powell more important for the stablity of all the young players this season than Cisse's potential in future seasons?? Powell is not just sitting on the bench. He is being used on the perimeter to help run the offense as a connector.

I would not have thought this last week, but there is now an argument to be made for this year... and there's a player on this team that will soon be let go.

So what you are saying is we should get ready for Powell getting minutes over Morez to start the season?   I am kidding...i think.

[Moviemavguy]

dble post.

[Moviemavguy]

Giving up on Cisse would be a mistake.  Of course he is young and raw.  Guy was undrafted, but there is no way in hell I'm giving that spot to Dwight Powell who won't be in the league soon. 

Cisse actually EARNED his contract because of his play last season. 

Powell lifts weights the best and gets to the gym early.  Awesome! 

Can't keep hearing that we are building for the future while keeping a totally unnecessary player in DP.

[ClutchDirk]

My 2¢...
1. Kyrie looks fully recovered which is huge for us...
2. Better get your spot on Larry island...he may not stuff the stat sheet but he looks like he can be an all around player who makes good plays on both ends...I see him being good sooner than later...
3. Encouraging seeing PJ's performance so far...
4. Sage Powell was doing good communicating with the younger players and it showed...the hate is not warranted yet and I think the Coach agrees with my take on this...

5. Can't wait to see year 2 Coop and his climb to All Star/ All NBA...it will happen...