jmmagicfan

I noticed that as well. I wonder if the game is beginning to slow down for him? If he starts picking these things up faster and seems to develop quickly over the next 5-10 games, we will know that the game has slowed for him; which would be a great signal. I remember when we saw that happen for Isaac - suddenly he seemed to develop a lot almost overnight because the game had slowed. Here's hoping!

My understanding is the team pays about $1.6M of a vet minimum and the league pays the rest with the total based on years in the league.

We have an open roster spot, and we should be able to sign Crawford to a vet minimum.

Please someone teach him how to set a screen. I swear no one on our team knows how to do this decently.

Nothing I hate more that when the pick/roll or pick/pop becomes patty-cake between the man-crushes. You go, no you go, no you go; oops, now we're down to five seconds, and have to rush a bad shot.

I figured he was talking more about the attempts to take his man one-on-one, as opposed to true "clear-out ISO" plays - since we don't really run many (any?) true ISO plays. I don't see any of our guys really being true ISO-able players; hence the motion offense. Our problems seem to come when one (or two) players dominate the ball and it stops moving. Gordon, Ross, and the Fournier/Vucevic duo are all guilty of this at times.

I do actually agree with you on Chuma, to an extent, because I too want to see him play in this league before making a decision on him. I would only consider JI or Fultz if it were for a top-15 player in this league. For example, if Washington came up with Bradley Beal/Admiral Schofield/Isaiah Thomas for Isaac/Fournier/Augustin I would have to consider it, not sure if I would do it, but I'd listen and think about it. I don't think anyone will come up with that kind of offer, that you really have to stop and think about it, but never say never. I think JI and Fultz are both worth a lot more than their current rookie salaries, so a trade that reflects their "true" value becomes much more difficult, and I don't think it is something you currently go looking for. Plus, I'm not sure we know yet what either of their true values are. Having said that though, in my opinion, there are only a few players that you don't even listen if someone calls and says "I want to talk to you about trading ..." and I don't think we have any of those players currently on our roster. I think management listens - they may laugh there a - - off and hang up - but I don't honestly believe they don't at least listen.

I’m not sure anyone on this team should be getting ISO plays. We need consistent, motion offense to get good shots. PS I don’t know who downvoted your post, so even though I mostly disagree, I upvoted to “even it out ”.

Tough start for Tobias, currently shooting just over 20% from 3-pt; I expect that to improve, as he is a career 36% from three. I do like me some Kyle O'Quinn though - I forget what a good passer he is, and apparently he has added a 3-pt shot as well. He doesn't take a lot of them, but he is 5-12 so far this year for 41.7%. Certainly enough to keep you honest.

Actually, I think tennis is probably the best athletic comparison of any other sport from the standpoint of distances run, start/stop and change of direction, emphasis on legs and shoulders. The biggest difference from the athletic standpoint is undoubtedly the amount of contact (none in tennis, obviously). Good point about the fluke crop of all-time great players though.

1. I think that is by design - mid range and long 2's are the least efficient shots on average, so if you are going to give up/force a shot, that is the preferred shot to give up. 2. Again, I think this is also by design - Clifford is much more focused on getting back/defense; and not really big on offensive rebounding. 3. Hope this continues - not sure why, but wonder if it is partly due to guys who aren't shooting well from outside attacking the paint more? 4. Isaac having a block party and defensive team focus? Hard to block because of our length? Taking care of the ball is another Clifford focus item. 5. Encouraging, let's hope it continues improving. I really think TRoss was having more of an issue with health than any of us realized.

It's probably a mix of both - I believe he wasn't allowed to shoot distance until fairly recently, so his strength probably isn't up there yet; he hasn't had sufficient repetitions as a result of the cautious approach to his shoulder's rehab. That is also probably affecting his confidence in both the shot and the shoulder; he may be anticipating a recurrence of the pain giving him a bit of the "yips" from the 3-pt line. I think additional reps (assuming no relapse) will contribute to curing both, as he was a reasonable college 3-pt shooter, and frequently hit NBA range shots then.

I'm not sure that anyone is untouchable on this team, however, I think Isaac is close, largely due to his defense and energy, partly due to the offensive flashes we've seen, and partly due to him still being on a rookie contract. Getting equal value for him at his current salary would be very difficult, so it would have to be part of a multi-player trade for a star where we dump other salary. The same can be said for any offers on Fultz. I sure wouldn't trade Fultz for a journeyman and a late first that could easily become two seconds, a la what we got him for. I do think we need to have a little more patience, as it is still early in the season, and I think guys are beginning to get back into the swing; at the same time I'm not sure there is any real excuse for being out of it to start this season.

The point is that there was no need to bring age into it.

No, my wife would strongly object!