94-92, after scoring only 10 points in the second quarter. - Rashard 25 points, is looking primed for opening night - Danny 13 boards in 14 minutes, that's the DF we know and love - Cleaves, Brunson and Felix all didn't play - Vitaly still uncertain with only one preseason game to go - Petro got the start, four points, four rebounds two dimes and four fouls in 11 minutes. - Bobby Swift five points, four rebounds, a block and only one foul in 12 minutes. - Luke eight dimes, but only nine points in 31 minutes - Missed crucial FTs in the last quarter - Play tomorrow against the Blazers to close out preseason Boxscore. Regular season starts Wednesday against the Clips, and it's looking more and more likely that Petro could be our starting anchor. I am also almost certain Scales will make the roster.
The only thing that we found out this preseason is that Petro is more of an interior presence than Swift, there is no point in keeping both Brunson and Cleaves (neither one of them are capable of playing the two), and that Bobby Weiss will lead this season with a rubber hand. Same team, different roles, bleeker look. I'm not worried about the preseason stats, but I am worried about how this team will be able to respond to adversity. I already see the rift with the frontcourt rotation. Evans and Vlad look like they are playing against each other and considering that they both signed QO's that is not a story that is going to die down. I'm really looking forward to Wednesday and I'm really looking forward to Fortson dominating the paint like he did in the first two months of last season. Let's go fam.
How bad is Vlade going to get? He gets the nod to start last night and puts up 1 point, 1 assist and 2 rebounds in 19 minutes. I realize that he was playing against Elton Brand, but come on.... It looks as if Swift is recovering from his preseason hip pointer and may be better coming off the bench. He gave 5 points, 4 rebounds and block in 10 minutes. Does Flip need at least 25 minutes per game to perform? His only solid game this preseason has been against Golden State when he got 27 minutes. Lewis looks like he wants to remain an allstar. I hope he is more aggressive on the boards once the regular season starts.
I'm not overly fussed about Lew's work on the boards, I just want him to become that consistent scorer that will give us 22-24 points EVERY night. Not this 35 points one night and 15 points the next two stuff, but a season average of around 21-22ppg built on that total almost every night. He is capable of breakout games and that's fine, but he has to limit the amount of times he slips into the low and mid teens.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not overly fussed about Lew's work on the boards, I just want him to become that consistent scorer that will give us 22-24 points EVERY night. Not this 35 points one night and 15 points the next two stuff, but a season average of around 21-22ppg built on that total almost every night. He is capable of breakout games and that's fine, but he has to limit the amount of times he slips into the low and mid teens.</div> It would be nice if he took that next step - but he's going to have to get to the line more often to do it and make more of an effort to take it down low/to the rack. There are simply going to be alot of nights that his shot just isn't falling - allstars find a way to continue to contribute despite it, so hopefully he can pick up where he left off last season. Word is he's improved his ball handling which would be a big boost to him being a more dominant scorer.
I didnt watch this game but im noticing that Weiss clearly still has no clue how he wants his rotation to look. He obviously wants to give Flip the 3rd guard role (dont really have anyone else except Scales) but Flip is just doing horrible. Hopefully he can step it up. This seems like our biggest problem heading into the season. Also, I really hope that Weiss gives Evans the starting role at pf and not vlade...Evans deserves it I dont care if Potapenko is ready to go or not. Nice to see Swift have a good game (stastically atleast). May keep him on the active roster atleast. Hopefully we look (sound) better tonight against the Blazers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_Cage89:</div><div class="quote_post">It would be nice if he took that next step - but he's going to have to get to the line more often to do it and make more of an effort to take it down low/to the rack. There are simply going to be alot of nights that his shot just isn't falling - allstars find a way to continue to contribute despite it, so hopefully he can pick up where he left off last season. Word is he's improved his ball handling which would be a big boost to him being a more dominant scorer.</div> I wonder how he's reacted to the news that Artest is up to 260lbs and still lifting He probably has the first Pacers game circled already as a sickie.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">I wonder how he's reacted to the news that Artest is up to 260lbs and still lifting He probably has the first Pacers game circled already as a sickie.</div> My guess is he's writing a letter a day trying to get his suspension extended
