Optimist Prime

Most probably underestimate how much development Bamba still has to make before he can be a reliable starting center. I think a descending deal at a reasonable price would set up nicely for the transition between the two.

I didn’t realize it until just now, but there’s a not-zero chance that we play and beat Philly in next year’s playoffs with Markelle, MCW, and Vooch all being main contributors on our team.

Well, of course!

My favorite part of this box score is all the sub-30 minutes played.

At this point it’s just about winning, however that happens. I don’t know if the team is “there” yet, but winning a few games they should by a fairly comfortable margin is reassuring. Some tough ones ahead on the schedule. I’m interested to see how MCW can change the dynamic of the bench, and if Fournier can step up over these final games. I want to see them win the ones that aren’t easy.

But it helps that Conley was just listed as doubtful.

Spurs are a 1.5 out of 4th and only .5 out of 8th. I don’t think they’re losing intentionally.

That’s my dilemma right now. I feel like making the playoffs and having a good series would ensure Vucevic gets re-signed. I don’t know if we want that, especially if that also means he gets a bloated contract to keep him from signing elsewhere. Depends on what he gets, I guess. A declining deal at a minor discount would be fine. Bamba is going to take some time to develop.

Birch is 26, played overseas, and is in his second NBA season. He played 42 games last year. Let’s maybe hold off on deciding to place our hopes on him before giving up on the 20 year old rookie still learning the game? If we were making a championship run, and needed a player who can contribute now rather than later, then maybe. But only to help that run. We are barely in the playoff race, and need to build sustainability. Not sure why this is being approached with a win-now mentality.

I’m glad Evan is hitting his free throws again. It’s the little things...

We should base out offseason moves around getting a SG with a last name starting with A, and who is above average height for the position, thus giving us a BIG AF lineup. EDIT: unless Klay Thompson agrees to sign here.

Have you tried switching hands for your final dribble and bring the ball to your shooting hand from the guide hand? There’s less maneuvering and you can set your wrist/elbow into a dip before you even get the ball in place. Durant’s icers against Cleveland were both shot this way iirc.

Interesting. Do you usually dribble with your shooting hand into your shots?

I thought it was just cupping

It really is funny. I actually shoot threes better after a crossover, and I think it’s because I have less time to think and it forces me to rely on reaction time/muscle memory.

Maybe. Let’s see how Isaac heals and what the wings can do. I still don’t think Bamba will be ready and missing a starting center will hurt us. I wouldn’t mind losing Fournier or Simmons if it gives a good PG, but I just think we don’t have the personnel right now to afford losing Vuc and still be competitive.

But even if he is what he is, he’s still better than Bamba at this point and we really don’t know that Bamba will turn out the way we hope. Right now, Bamba hurts the team if he’s out starting center. He likely can’t even get to starter minutes because he’d probably foul out by then. Letting go of Vuc to let go of Vuc is the kind of move that made this team so bad for so long.

I don’t think we get much unless there’s a team that sees him as the missing piece for a championship and is willing to sell part of their future to win now. With it being the last year of his contract, the only teams that will probably take him are teams that want to shed salary or teams that are in the playoff picture. I don’t think the return will be worth it. The decision on whether to sign him in the offseason will depend on how Bamba improves and what his value is in free agency. I don’t think we can answer that question right now. If he plays up to that contract by year two, and we think Bamba is ready, that’s when the decision for a trade would be made. There’s a risk involved no matter what happens. To me, maintaining development and consistency is most important right now. I wouldn’t be willing to shake up too much until we get closer to the trade deadline, when we will have a clearer picture of what this team is.

Both of those teams had multiple superstars.

If Bamba isn’t ready now, we’re throwing the progress of this season away by trading Vuc. I think it would hurt the team as that would be two of five positions where we don’t have a starting caliber player. It’d have to be worth it both this season and moving forward to trade Vuc. We really don’t know how long it will take Bamba to be ready, but if it’s sooner rather than later, we can always trade Vuc if he’s still on a long term deal and we can’t work out a reasonable way to keep both.

But JJ was just called that by his sisters.

And his effort is always a factor. He usually starts the season strong. I’m more interested in how he’s performing come late January.

No you don’t, you love it.

Steph had ankle injuries in his rookie deal before he got the extension.