THE GREEN MACHINE: The Subtle Emergence of Josh Green

[jdb152]

Yes.  And, you didn’t even mention Hardaway’s third year.  There is an element of playing chess versus playing checkers here.  The longer term play is the greater flexibility provided by the shorter duration of the incoming Burks/Kemba salaries.

And, that is presuming the THJ > Burks declaration is true.  Last three seasons one player has the higher 3% (over 40% all three years), has the better assist %, the better on-minus-off and WS/48.  That same player has been the better defender by D-EPM, DBPM and D-WS pretty dramatically the last two seasons.  It isn’t Hardaway.

No point getting too worked up though.  Every indication I’ve seen both from Hardaway and from team exec’s say THJ is returning this season.

Since you have long been one of our best resources on deals and contracts, I'd like to get your take. With the cap set to rise in the range of 10% each season for the next half decade, doesn't THJ's declining deal become more and more of an asset? Would that be a real consideration when playing cap chess? Of course if the right deal comes along, most everyone is available, but I do feel we're all a little guilty of a devaluation on THJ.

As to the topic of Green, are we all being too dismissive of Green's abillity to take a real leap in his third year, second with Kidd? He's about there as a defender and has shown to be a gifted passer. Getting to league average as a shooter makes him a real piece for the rotation. Are we all so convinced he doesn't have that in him?