Are you guys so clouded in your own opinions that you don't realize that a Dame/CJ backcourt is Neils vision? It's his answer to Curry and Thompson in this modern guard dominated 3pt based NBA.
Before last year, what was the last PG led team to win a title? NBA is changing. Just because it hasn't been done before, doesn't mean we can't be the first. CJ and Dame are a fine backcourt for the future as long as there are great wing and post defenders alongside them, and we have a system to minimize their deficiencies. They are pretty damn good on offense-- we can't overlook that.
He might have. I was just answering the question. Championships have been won by teams starting two small guards.
Another good example. Give us their SF and we would be right there. Our back court heights are not the issue. It's who we surround them with. I like small ball in the back court because you tend to have two decent ball handlers. And having that counters what you get from a bigger SG. Wes for example was bigger and gave us other things. CJ is smaller but a better ball handler than Wes and a better passer. (and probably a better shooter) Along with Crabbe.......I like our back court.
Lets not forget our best team ever....... Dave Twardzik 6'1" Johnny Davis 6'2" Hollins 6'3' Herm Gilliam 6'3" Larry Steele 6'5"
Not sure I agree with that. I think this whole season is a big experiment to see what we have and what we can build on. You don't just get rid of talent, and McCollum's trade value entering this season was nothing compared to what it would be now. You have two gifted scorers. Their styles are very similar. That can work. But it also gives a team options to trade. Again, it's what you would get in return. Everyone that talks about well teams can't win with two small guards or teams can't win building around a power forward ... I think that's kind of bunk. Talent wins. If the best player is a power forward and the supporting cast is good enough, it wins. If the talent is a 6-2 guard and the rest of the parts work well with him, it wins. I think the one thing we can say definitely doesn't win is a team that lacks talent. Different styles and combinations win all the time. Sometimes it's just a matter of being ahead of the curve.
I know what you're saying, but bigger doesn't necessarily mean worse ball handling. Wes was just bad - had nothing to do with his size. CJ isn't better because he's smaller, he's just better because he has the skill. The league use to be dominated by 6'7" wings who could dribble around and through the competition. The league is just lacking those players at the moment - it's why we need Simmons!
Our backcourt height is an issue... What PG or SG in the NBA currently is punishing guys with his post up skills? The defensive rules have changed so posting up a guard is almost non existent.
He is special...no doubt. I want him. But can he hit an outside shot? He has taken two 3 pointers all year. He has to be able to shoot from the outside in the NBA . I am sure he will learn, but right now I am not sure he can.
Honestly, it's not the height that's the issue. It's the lack of defense. Neither of them is a solid defender.
Bingo. That's why the comparison to any Wade back court combo is silly. With Payton and Chalmers, he was paired with defensive specialists. And LeBron was basically their PG. You had good to great offense and fantastic defense from those back courts. CJ-Dame is historically bad defense. You can cover for one weak defensive player, but two is tough. I'd hate to see either guy go, but I'm also not a fan of pinning my hopes to a doomed scenario.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the Warriors trade Ellis because Ellis needed the ball in his hands to be most effective offensively? Where Curry was the better player with the ball in his hand? Ellis isn't a floor spacer, his best year was at 36% which was his last year in golden state. He's a career 31% 3pt shooter. So playing off the ball isn't his game... Yes they had issues defensively but I personally believe that it had more to do with Curry learning how to play NBA defense, and Ellis not caring enough to play defense.
Steph Curry and Monta Ellis are like CJ & Lillard in a lot of ways. When Golden state traded Ellis Worriers fans where pissed off and the owners wife was furious. Look what happened to GS.
I don't understand this thread or why people are on board with trading CJ. Really? yeah trade our second best player who is used to the system and has developed relationships and chemistry, especially with lillard. Only because they are kind of the same player? I don't get it. Yeah, not a lot of defense but they are one of the best back courts in the league. We have a bad season and its the end of the world I guess
