MAGICmanSAM

Oh yeah. I knew that about Payton. I just thought it was weird resting Napier when he was short on PG. I guess he wanted to see how Dipo would respond to playing the 1...which I think we all see is not the greatest fit.

Yeah. So far Skiles' preseason style has been a bit unpredictable. He seems to be trying many different things. Like with no Payton the other night he used Oladipo at the 1 and didn't play Napier (that I remember). He's also sort of letting the guys figure things out by not calling timeouts during droughts. I have a feeling that the method to his madness is to see who on the team has the mental toughness to correct on the fly without a timeout. I think we saw both Marble and Hezonja pull that off the other night. I would start Gordon and give him some good burn as he needs to play catch-up and only has a few games left.

Isn't that what the national sports media is about every day of the year?

If Jordan has a change of heart, would it be considered bad form?

I said this in the summer league thread and I'll mention it here too. I honestly think Payton is really just trying to get through summer league healthy. Not that he's injury prone, but why risk it when you really have nothing to prove? The only guys really trying to prove something are AG and Hezonja, so just try to make the game better for them. We all know he's been working on his jumper, and the small sample size we've gotten in summer league is not a fair gauge. I think he's not where he wants to be yet on his jumper and is waiting till the end of summer league so he can get back in the gym and continue working.

Agreed. I think Payton is just trying to get through Summer League without getting hurt. He has nothing to really prove out there. I think he's just looking forward to when he can get back in the gym and continue working on his shot. Hezonja still smells like jet fuel and is still a stranger in a strange land. He won't actually get the chance to get settled till after summer league. So with all that in mind, it's pretty crazy that he's even contributing how he's contributing. Also keep in mind that just over a week ago he was playing in a championship series in one of the top leagues in the world in another continent. I don't even know how he's even staying afloat! Gordon is the only one of our big 3 in summer league that really has something to prove. Last year was a bit of a disappointment for him, so he's out to show he belongs and I think he's playing for a starting spot. Contrast that with an OKC team (and others) filled with a whole mess of guys that are fighting for an opportunity to just make it to a training camp/preseason squad. Just look at Magic White. Those guys are all fighting for a chance, so naturally, their energy level and competitiveness will be much higher.

I still think Hennigan has one more move in the works... Unless he's expecting to start Harris at the 4.

This is interesting. Henny has to has something up his sleeve with that cash because we all know the 2nd round swap meets nothing.

Monroe to Bucks. All the losing teams are running out of options.

That was my guess too. Was it JJ?

This. He may feel Atlanta has peaked. It will be very difficult for them to repeat a 60-win season next year.

According to reports earlier this week, Mario was traveling to Orlando yesterday and was expected to actively be in town today. Anyone know if there will be any kind of press conference today officially introducing him to the media?

Makes sense. Looks good though. Never know if they asked him last night what number he's thinking of wearing.

Go get your Hezonja jersey! Looks like he'll be wearing #1. Team Shop

And of course we will all be collectively holding our breath till his buy-out with FC Barcelona is finalized (even though it looks like both Henny and Mario are confident it will happen fairly soon). So, obviously, the next question is...what number does he wear for us? Looks like he's worn 23 and 8.