Soul Bro

Wow. We look so different with Keyon at the 2 with our starters. New starting line-up to provide that balance?

Rashard sure looks pretty bad.

Our lack of athleticism is killing us. If you figure in size, lack of foot quickness, etc., the only starter at his starting position (not natural position) with better than average athleticism is Dwight. This is killing us. It means teams truly can out hustle us, as long as they contain Dwight, and they will win. Otis and SVG have chosen shooting over athleticism. Why can't we have balance?

Our lack of athleticism is killing us. If you figure in size, lack of foot quickness, etc., the only starter at his starting position (not natural position) with better than average athleticism is Dwight. This is killing us. It means teams truly can out hustle us, as long as they contain Dwight, and they will win. Otis and SVG have chosen shooting over athleticism. Why can't we have balance?

Patterson is a good slasher, too, right? For his price, I'd easily take a chance.

Seattle would do this in a minute. If we did this trade we would have too much money locked into our pg position.

Just voted. I feel I committed a crime by voting for Shard and Hedo over KG. Anyway, got to support our boys.

We are VERY soft and VERY two-dimensional. Plus, we are dying for a go-to wing player. Rashard is proving nothing more than a good, spot-up shooter.

www.rashardismultidimensional.bs

Wow, we stink. And it's not just one game. Our system has massive flaws.

BOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Rashard cannot create his own shot or pass. The more I watch this guy, the more I am disappointed. Newbie, please show me something.

Wow. What a discussion. Just got back in. I believe this team has very serious problems creating it's own shots. Along with the glaring need for a true PF, we need a guy who can create and finish. Rashard has been very disappointing in this regard. SA has Parker and Ginoboli, an all-star big, PLUS shooters. That should be our model. With Vince, we would get that creator and finisher. In my opinion, the expectations placed on VC have always been too high. Why? B/c he has never played with a decent big. Put him next to Howard AND Rashard ... please. The real question for me is how do we use our expiring contracts, for a true PF or for a creator/finisher? (Honestly, though, I think NJ could get more for VC. Surely Chicago would give up one of their core for him).

Just to add fuel to the fire, given the Nets awful season and imminent break-up and our need for a go to guy, I just thought about something. I believe we have enough pieces (EXPIRING CONTRACTS) to trade for Vince Carter. Currently, VC has a TRS b/c he was signed in the summer. I believe that TRS will be coming off fairly soon (right?). A deal of Los, Garrity, JJ, Dooling and a 1st for VC and Armstrong comes close to matching up. The problem is that it would leave us very thin at PG. However, we have to keep in mind that neither Los or Dooling is signed past this year. Why might Orlando do it? To build an unstoppable starting line-up. Why might NJ do it? To acknowledge it's time to rebuild and to clear the books. Could NJ get a better deal elsewhere, probably. But who knows? Thoughts?

Just to add fuel to the fire, given the Nets awful season and imminent break-up and our need for a go to guy, I just thought about something. I believe we have enough pieces (EXPIRING CONTRACTS) to trade for Vince Carter. Currently, VC has a TRS b/c he was signed in the summer. I believe that TRS will be coming off fairly soon (right?). A deal of Los, Garrity, JJ, Dooling and a 1st for VC and Armstrong comes close to matching up. The problem is that it would leave us very thin at PG. However, we have to keep in mind that neither Los or Dooling is signed past this year. Why might Orlando do it? To build an unstoppable starting line-up. Why might NJ do it? To acknowledge it's time to rebuild and to clear the books. Could NJ get a better deal elsewhere, probably. But who knows? Thoughts?

Jameer, Why would we say you are short?

quote: Originally posted by EnFuego: quote: Originally posted by Soul Bro:Hedo played awful. But it was silly to give JJ burn instead of Dooling. We needed defense on the outside, not offense. This seriously makes me question whether we are showcasing JJ. You know, it is worth noting that IN really likes JJ (from inside sources). Hmmm. If that's the case, we would have been better served keeping him in the bench than "showcasing" him yesterday. He didn't look that good. Agree

JJ ... and it's not entirely his fault. Hedo and Shard can't play much "d" either, which tends to put JJ in a tough spot.

Hedo played awful. But it was silly to give JJ burn instead of Dooling. We needed defense on the outside, not offense. This seriously makes me question whether we are showcasing JJ. You know, it is worth noting that IN really likes JJ (from inside sources). Hmmm.

quote: Originally posted by TheGodfather:Well........just one question: Whats the difference between AVERAGE and VERY AVERAGE? Is that like the difference between PREGNANT and VERY PREGNANT? TheGodfather Battie = Average Garrity = Very Average The verbage is my attempt to be sensitive to Smack's feelings.

It's not just the coaching. Our fans are lifeless.

quote: Originally posted by The Ghost of John Gabriel:To answer the original thread I'll keep my personal opinion to myself and just say that I think we would all be wise to stop judging young players so quickly. I realize the rapid rise to superstardom by some players has changed the perception of how quickly young players should contribute. The expansion of the NBA has also diluted rosters so young players are forced into action faster. Bad teams go with youth movements and press young players into action before they are ready. But, that doesn't mean we should automatically label young players busts because they aren't All-Star caliber players right out of the shoot. There are a lot of great players in this league, past & present who looked like busts early in their careers. I specifically remember two players named Robert Parrish & Kevin McHale who looked like they barely belonged in the NBA early in their careers. Bob Lanier once labeled DeSagana Diop the worst center to ever play in the NBA and the guy is a very good defender contributing significantly for a contender these days. Chicago gave Tyson Chandler away a year ago. Darko's been labeled a bust by two teams and the guy would be a rookie if he'd gone to college for 4 years. That's absolutely rediculous. And 4, FOUR teams labeled Chauncey Billups a bust before he landed in Detroit!!! Too many young players are handed roles without earning them in this league and the second a young player isn't getting burn he's a bust. I heard people on this board claim Marvin Williams and Rudy Gay were busts before the season started. There aren't many SF's in this league I'd rather have than Rudy Gay & that includes Rashard. Ghost, I finally agree with something you wrote. Good post. I hear you. Two things in JJ's favor: 1. His youth (meaning he can still grow), 2. SVG as coach (who can obviously develop talent).

Sorry fellas. Didn't know. Mods, lock it up.

quote: Originally posted by MilitaryMagic: quote: Originally posted by Soul Bro:ThisIsTheYear, did I miss something? I think you must have because the forum has been littered with JJ threads for the past 3 weeks since the Ariza trade. Man, I guess I must have. Oops. Jack, the funny thing about your post is that I actually like JJ. I wrote to Magic execs about him in 2005. Otis finally answered me in 2006.

ThisIsTheYear, did I miss something? My thought is he is average ... right now. Here's what I (and others) see ... JJ is an EXCELLENT shooter. This is from Otis in April of 2006 (way before the draft): "From Paul (4/13): Otis, What are your thoughts on J.J. Redick as a potential NBA player? Otis: Paul, first let me thank you for your interest in the Magic. J.J. Redick will be a very good pro. He has a skill that can transfer to the NBA and that skill is shooting. He is a very good shooter with range, can put it on the floor and create. He's maybe the best shooter in this draft class. Thanks, Otis" This we know. JJ can "shoot lights out"(Chad Ford). Unfortunately, JJ is a POOR defender. Reviewing last year, John Hollinger wrote: "Redick is a below-average athlete, and that showed up in his defensive numbers. He was the only shooting guard to play at least 500 minutes without blocking a shot, and ranked third from the bottom at his position in steals per minute. While the Magic tried to use him in spots where his shortcomings wouldn't be so hurtful, it's clear he has a lot of work to do in this area." So JJ is an excellent shooter and a poor defender. SO WHY START THIS THREAD? 1. To have his Duke fans realize why SVG plays him sparingly 2. To make JJ mad and further motivated (He thrived on boos at Duke, perhaps he hasn't faced enough of them in the NBA) How good can JJ become? That is up to him.