Ruzious wrote:Count me in on those who are coming around on Young. He's a different guy out there lately - playing with a passion that had been missing from him. Somebody must have gotten through to him.
Dom - he still absolutely needs to show he can hit open jumpers consistently. Otherwise, he's not a starting option on a decent team.
McGee and Blatche - I'm not married to keeping either one of them. I'd slightly prefer to keep McGee over Blatche, but it concerns me that McGee's skills are so raw - considering he comes from a basketball family. Hopefully, physical maturation will take care of some of his problems. I think he has a better attitude than Blatche, but he needs to work harder.
Young: I think the prospect of adding Gil back to the roster has helped Nick's attitude a ton. When you has a chance of winning it makes it easier not to seize up in fear overthink and try to do too much. Gilbert challenges him to raise his game while also keeping things loose and fun. Loose and fun is great when you're winning, if not you'll tend to catch hell. Tough for Nick since loose and fun are his primary language even though he's a sensitive kid underneath the goofy exterior. Plus as Gilbert comes back and shows a team-first serious attitude he provides a role-model for how to give up the spotlight in favor of the Wins. Plus, Gil has the on-court ability to recognize a mismatch and tell Nick when and where it's his turn to "Go". Gives the kid confidence when the allstar says 'This one is all you, get him".
Dom. His form is better, his range is increasing, he now steps into the open shot without hesitation. He's on the progression curve towards reliable. If DeSteve improved next to Gil and after a year with Hopla, I have every confidence in Dom's workmanship. He's doing what is asked of him and having an overall positive effect.
The JV: Yes, physical maturation is key, the kid has added 30 pounds in two years, was playing as a face-up 3 in highschool since he was too skinny to take the contact. Is still learning how Big he is, and has shown some skills here that he never displayed in college.
The BFD Blatche. He's adding to his game as a reliable roleplayer, learning to pick his spots. Makes fewer 'hell no' plays per game, is still a better back-up to Haywood than anyone else on the roster, -- and depending on match-ups contends with Songaila well for that duty behind Jamison. The primary frustration with him is that despite the size and talent he hasn't contended for that starting spot. Fine, he's being beaten out by a sometime allstar and a top 5 defensive center. For a second round pick on a cheap contract, I can live with a slow steady progression from a back-up Big. Kid is still improving: PER remains steady but turnovers decreasing, passing ratios improving. Foul rate improving a little wee bit (no longer worst in the league, he's fallen outside the top/bottom 5...)
All important stats for a roleplaying back-up. And good signs especially in a year where he carried a heavier load (10% of team total points). Still slow improvement, but still moving in the right direction, bodes well as a back-up on a winning squad. Still room for a breakout. BUt yeah still needs to improve footwork and conditioning and strength and smarts to cut that foul rate in half. My feeling here is that Brendan helps him the most here. Teaching him how to prep for games, read scouting reports, work hard in the weight room, etc. Even just by example and osmosis-- though he has mentored him in the past.
Just saying I'm open to trades on most anybody, but I still think our back-ups have decent potential. As back-ups. Again, all you can ask from any player is constant improvement. That way lies perfection.
