03-12-2022, 12:59 PM
(03-11-2022, 04:35 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Brilliant article. The immediate issue may not be the elusive 2nd start (that we don’t have the assets for anyway), it may be improving or replacing the specialists with more multi-dimensional (Group 3) guys. He’s right that Dorian and Josh seem to have the best shot of moving into Group 3. They are both unassisted on about a quarter of their shots, but don’t have the usage (both are about 13.5 range and the criteria used was 15). Green probably has a better shot at getting to a 15 Usage given his ability to pass. There is nothing wrong with Dorian being the leagues best Group 4 player.
This is an interesting way to look at THJ. Will his usage stay in the 20’s when he returns to play alongside two ball handlers. It always has been and he’s always generated a fairly high percentage of unassisted scoring. Does he look better or worse with two PG’s? Is there even a role for him given the need for D and how well we do when DFS, Reggie and Josh are playing his position. Is there a world where THJ stays and some other wing leaves next season? I don’t see any way we have 3 PG’s AND THJ, Reggie and Green splitting the SF position. I’ve been trying to say for a while now that I could see Reggie being the outgoing guy.
It is an interesting question as to whether we need more than one rim runner. Is vertical spacing something you need for 48 minutes or just as a change up. The answer probably goes a long way in determining how interested the team might be in Holmes plus Powell.
Yes, everything that guy puts out is awesome.
I don't see either DFS or Green being legit candidates for level 3. Dorian is a great 4 (which teams need) and I think Green is already a 4 (his passing offsets his limited 3 capabilities). This read really did alter my view of THJ. He is our only true volume scorer, and he has already shown he can do it in the playoffs (which is the whole point of this article). I'm starting to come around to the idea that our best (most likely) avenue to a 3 is to retain THJ next year.
This article didn't really cover defense, but I think when you talk about 4 and 5s, defense is a crucial element. In the playoffs I think you can get away with some offensively limited players (specialists), but they have to give you value on the defensive end (in fact he does reference 4s as 3&D). I feel like your 4 needs to be a quality perimeter defender, and your 5 needs to be able to protect the rim.
I have tended to lump THJ and Bertans in the same group, but they really are not. Bertans is not a true volume scorer like THJ (especially in the playoffs), but he also does not fit into the 3&D group either from a defensive standpoint. Given his current minutes, I'm not sure he is going to be a consistent rotational player in the playoffs.
One of our biggest issues is that we are starting a flawed 5. Powell has not been terrible on defense, but the lack of rim protection and rebounding has been a real issue. Our top priority this offseason has to be getting a legit starting center. I am warming up to the idea of sending Bullock for Holmes if that gets it done.