09-10-2020, 01:31 PM
(09-10-2020, 01:03 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: Yeah, Jym, you're right. I was knee-jerking with regard to the "developing young players" issue in response to SH and some others saying that a rookie wasn't going to get time if we drafted one anyway.
I've changed my tune over the past day or so - 1) yes, there are players in the draft who can start on a playoff team right away, 2) Donnie might be able to find one of those players, and 3) Rick should be able to be trusted to play them (if they aren't gangstas, dawgs, or knuckleheads, he probably will). Good! Makes our offseason easier. We can get a starter in the draft, and another with the MLE or through a modest trade. A rookie really is the best answer for the starting lineup, because of the low cost and keeping powder dry for those so inclined.
My latest concerns with Rick are WCS and Brunson. Everyone knows that I'm a big WCS fan as a player here, and I found RC's obnoxious minutes leash on him when he got here perplexing and infuriating. When he played, he played well. Interior defense and rim-protection - two things Powell never provided, and was quizzically never expected to provide, and he still got minutes and a Brinks truck. I'm telling you, it's the tats. Brunson was underutilized given his on-court impact this year, I thought, and didn't seem to play well with Luka, which was a big part of why RC seemed to be limiting his minutes. Brunson is a valuable young piece who would hopefully be part of our core for years to come, but if RC can't coach him to share the court with Luka, he sadly becomes trade bait.
And I probably should have worded mine a bit differently myself. I certainly still have my complaints with him here and there. Especially with the way that Wright was handled all year. I don't think he was ever given the opportunity he deserved to consistently play 30+ minutes a night. No real excuse after Brunson went out.
But overall I love the command he has over teams. Even when we were horrible for years he still had the players engaged and fighting consistently. I also think he's one of the best at making a plan going into a playoff series and having the players buy into that concept.
And I think in the ideal world we turn that 18th pick+ whatever into a consistent Day 1 starter next year.
I don't have confidence in Donnie that he'll find a rookie who can slide into that role.