For all the Thibs doubt - he is the guy who helped mold Jimmy Butler. And he seems to be doing a damn fine job molding RJ.
To me the most important development of this season is RJ showing this growth. His ceiling has to be considered higher now than when this season started - at the end of last year I was wondering if he was more or less a 3 and D wing with some shot creation upside. This year he has cashed in on a lot of that upside. This development is way more important than if Randle and DRose had been able to drag us to the play-in. Every decision this summer and going forward has to be about building the right kind of roster for RJ to thrive.
To that end, I think they're taking a strong look at Jericho as maybe being a guy who can replace Mitch going forward... he'll be cheaper and might fit with RJ. Have to think Jericho getting an extended look is the organization at least thinking along these lines.
I continue to think Mitch and the Dallas 23 pick for Jalen Brunson in a double sign and trade might make a lot of sense for both teams. Especially with Dallas now committed to Spencer Dinwiddie for a few years. Have to think the team is thinking about it.
You start to wonder how many players have to go down before Duece gets his time. We aren't talking about Lavar Postell here lol. In a small sample size we have already seen him as an NBA rotation player. I can't imagine he isn't showing enough in practice. I like Burkes and no one is saying bench him. But at what point is it until it's not too much to ask to cut his minutes for Deuce. The play in is just not going to happen.
While there is plenty of blame to go around, Thibs, Randle, Noel never being available, the blame lies squarely on the front office. They started by using all their cap space to use the likes of Burks and Noel (yes I know Fournier and Walker too); by continuing to ignore the need for a quality PG (one who is younger than we and/or not severely limited by injury-history), and then ignoring the trade deadline to sell off veterans.
Thibs doesn’t get a free pass though. Coddling Randle; using Burks like he is Donovan Mitchell; ignoring the young players other than Grimes and that was half into the season; but most egregiously, not having this team ready to play every night.
This off-season should be the last this administration gets to reshape (not right) the ship. Go get a damn PG; deal Randle even if it’s pennies on the dollar; Fire Thibs and hIre a young energetic coach the likes of Brad Stevens.
Thibs need to go. The game has passed him by. Plus, he is damaging the team by not playing McBride and not playing Obi much and he needs to give Sims more time (although looks like Sims will get more time because Noel wanted play again until his contract year). If Leon Rose truly exists, which I am beginning to doubt, he needs to start thinking about the draft and next season. Thibs cannot be allowed to stunt the growth of what will be a high pick.
For all the Thibs doubt - he is the guy who helped mold Jimmy Butler. And he seems to be doing a damn fine job molding RJ.
To me the most important development of this season is RJ showing this growth. His ceiling has to be considered higher now than when this season started - at the end of last year I was wondering if he was more or less a 3 and D wing with some shot creation upside. This year he has cashed in on a lot of that upside. This development is way more important than if Randle and DRose had been able to drag us to the play-in. Every decision this summer and going forward has to be about building the right kind of roster for RJ to thrive.
To that end, I think they're taking a strong look at Jericho as maybe being a guy who can replace Mitch going forward... he'll be cheaper and might fit with RJ. Have to think Jericho getting an extended look is the organization at least thinking along these lines.
I continue to think Mitch and the Dallas 23 pick for Jalen Brunson in a double sign and trade might make a lot of sense for both teams. Especially with Dallas now committed to Spencer Dinwiddie for a few years. Have to think the team is thinking about it.
It's a great point on RJ, Sean. And wouldn't you know it, I touched on the possibility of a Mitch/Brunson S&T today!
You start to wonder how many players have to go down before Duece gets his time. We aren't talking about Lavar Postell here lol. In a small sample size we have already seen him as an NBA rotation player. I can't imagine he isn't showing enough in practice. I like Burkes and no one is saying bench him. But at what point is it until it's not too much to ask to cut his minutes for Deuce. The play in is just not going to happen.
While there is plenty of blame to go around, Thibs, Randle, Noel never being available, the blame lies squarely on the front office. They started by using all their cap space to use the likes of Burks and Noel (yes I know Fournier and Walker too); by continuing to ignore the need for a quality PG (one who is younger than we and/or not severely limited by injury-history), and then ignoring the trade deadline to sell off veterans.
Thibs doesn’t get a free pass though. Coddling Randle; using Burks like he is Donovan Mitchell; ignoring the young players other than Grimes and that was half into the season; but most egregiously, not having this team ready to play every night.
This off-season should be the last this administration gets to reshape (not right) the ship. Go get a damn PG; deal Randle even if it’s pennies on the dollar; Fire Thibs and hIre a young energetic coach the likes of Brad Stevens.
Thibs need to go. The game has passed him by. Plus, he is damaging the team by not playing McBride and not playing Obi much and he needs to give Sims more time (although looks like Sims will get more time because Noel wanted play again until his contract year). If Leon Rose truly exists, which I am beginning to doubt, he needs to start thinking about the draft and next season. Thibs cannot be allowed to stunt the growth of what will be a high pick.