was his performance post-trade a fluke? 'Cause I'm not seeing much of that Devin at all so far. Horrible most of the preseason, decent in game one, pretty terrible since. His judgment looked much better last year, and he was much more aggressive pushing in transition and using his body to finish drives. Somehow I get the feeling that he's really hesitant and over-thinking right now, so I think he will play much better once he relaxes and starts to rely on his instincts and reflexes a bit more. I sure hope so.
I should add that I'm not very happy with Dooling's shot selection and choices the last two games either.
i hope it's just an early season slump. He is getting to the basket but his finishes are too erratic.
I've hated (HATED) Devin's play so far into the season but I'm pretty sure it'll improve eventually. His shot selection is horrible, he gets overexcited after scoring a basket, he immediately tries to fix a mistake with a shot (like when he lobbed the ball to the top of the backboard for VC and then shot an ill-advised toss from 3 the next possession) and his finishing has been weak.
He seems erratic running the offense and making good decisions when it most matters. He is best suited to be a 6th man kind player, maybe provide energy, good D and some offense when he is on the court. I'd say if we continue to suck, draft a real PG next year since we have a shit load of bigs on the team.
IMO I think Devin is still trying to figure himself out, after being being limited in Dallas. Last season was his time to step up, and be "the man" for once (with allowances to Vince Carter of course, but here he's running the team from the PG position). Now he's got to find his niche again with this new team. It's a new, young team. We've already talked about how we'll be foul prone, and have mental lapses, but we also need to realize that these guys have to gel.
I understand all the points you make, but my opinion does not change. Ask yourself, has he had a game where he took over with his ability to run the point and make decisions yet? IMO you can just tell which players are difference makers and in my opinion he isn't one of them. Hopefully he makes me eat my words.
He never was in the role he's in now in Dallas, so I don't see how his time there should be considered. He never had to "take over", he had Terry to help him out and Dirk to lead, among others. Now he's looked upon as a veteran who's supposed to lead this team, which is a way different situation.
His career in Dallas was completely different than his role in NJ. Even his role last year is different this year, what with Jefferson gone, and all the new players brought in. You can't compare them like you're trying to.
That's understandable I guess. But don't you think they would have used him differently in Dallas if he did indeed display the ability to run a team by himself? What about last year as a Net? And don't tell me his first game against the Bucks because he kept taking bad shots but the difference was that he kept making them. Also in that game his ability to make good decisions and run the team was not the reason we won. He doesn't have the vision and the ability to make the right decisions in a game as a legit PG should. Not only that, but he is too small to play the 2 spot. So where do we put him to make him more effective?
not impressed last year. not impressed in pre-season. not impressed thus far. he says the right things, and i know he has the talent. but its not translating on the court for whatever reason.
