The Backcourt

Martell’s 3 ball is key. It’s a question of whether you want a top shelf perimeter defender or a good perimeter defender who can drain the 3. I feel the guys are interchangeable my only thought was Martell’s chemistry with Rudy. They would likely be on the floor together anyways at some point. Good point about Batum’s defense being huge for the second unit.

rather trade Nate then Rudy. Not that, that can be done but man sometimes I’m like “Nate it’s right there man plain as day!”. Other times I’m really impressed with his coaching. I can’t imagine the pressure that comes with an NBA head coaching gig with all this young talent and hype. I think if Nate fails to use the tools, then KP might force his hand with a trade. Trading Blake would shake things up to a huge degree. I don’t want to trade Blake Per se but I want to find out PG of the future and I’m convinced he is not going to be our starter down the line.

also i don’t think there’s a gulf between brandon and rudy.

just still feeling each other out.

the fact that brandon sent that pass out to rudy tells you all you need to know about brandon’s trust in rudy. as he mentioned in last night’s interview, brandon wants to take those shots. he didn’t even want a screen from LMA last night. he just wanted to do it one on one. so to trust rudy says a lot.

he will certainly go back to starting and get plenty of opportunity to show he deserves to hold onto that spot. That will create a log jam at SF even if Trout gets 10-12 minutes at back up PF (at Frye’s expense) as well as 12-15 minutes at the backup SF. Batum will get some spot minutes when we need to try to shut down an opposing SF. If Webster is successful I don’t see us making a trade for a veteran SF this year. If Webster fails to show the improvement we expect (in defense and rebounding) then I expect we will be looking to move him plus other assets for a veteran starting SF. Of course we could also move Travis plus assets for a starting small forward and bring Webster off the bench, but I think Nate loves the flexibility of having Trout’s firepower coming off the bench at either the 3 or 4.

If Roy/Rudy work out starting at the 1/2 or 2/1 it would solve the problem of getting Rudy 30 minutes (or eventually more) a game, and limit the need to use a 3-guard offense except in limited situations. I don’t think Nate wants to go that small except against very favorable match ups. Blake can then come off the bench as the other (3rd) guard in the rotation. Bayless and Sergio can fight it out trying to eventually displace Blake as that 3rd guard.

I guess that’s a long-winded way of saying I agree with you Ben!

knows that Sergio is the perfect PG to run it… even when he can’t hit his own shots (which will come with time).

I think that Sergio needs minutes to improve. If we aren’t going to give them to him especially in a running second unit, then KP needs to trade him (I think we would regret this big time). Blake hasn’t proved he can run at all and he can’t defend the point which puts fouls on our interior defenders. As soon as Sergio get’s his 3 point shot a bit more consistent he will be VASTLY better then Blake.

 When was the last time Blake took it to the hole? He does it maybe once a game if he’s playing 25 minutes. Sergio does it virtually every game. It’s Sergio’s penetration and vision that makes him rack up assists like he does. Blake is a wash at defense when compared to Sergio and doesn’t have half the vision. Blake’s biggest asset is the calming influence he brings to the court, something that won’t be as needed once our core is more experienced.

 If Bayless can learn to look to dish (I’ve already seen him start to do this in pre-season) his defense and penetration make him a MUCH better fit then Blake with a lock down half court starting unit.

 Here’s the problem, if Blake keeps taking up 20 to 25 minutes at the point with Rudy/Roy/Sergio/Bayless getting the rest that is simply not enough time for our young PG’s to develop. They both have far greater potential then Blake who is probably at or near his ceiling due to physical limitations. I’ve heard people say Nash is Blake’s ceiling. That’s ridiculous Nash has 10 times the vision, is a better shot and most importantly is far faster then Blake even now, and Nash is in his mid-30’s!

about Nate’s attitude. Watch KP trade Trout and Blake in a blockbuster before the deadline forcing Nate’s hand. Coaches always plays vets to “win now”. KP has a longer term vision then Nate.

…………………………………………There I go again, responding to my own comment.

but that’s like 3 years in the future. We need to take a couple of quality playoff runs before then.