Valuable Guy. He knows how to conserve energy and be effective, I doubt if his age will be anything but a plus factor. The way KT sets screens and shoots the 15-footer is a perfect fit for this team.
He really did well. Patient. Steady. Smith is a THICK boy. no wonder he's called Rhino. I liked Crawford's game and how he kept the second unit involved. Nolan Smith played well too.
One of the reasons Derrick Rose won MVP is because the Bulls kept winning when Boozer and Noah were out. Why? Because Kurt Thomas stepped in and didn't miss a beat.
I dunno. This schedule is going to be brutal, and I have serious doubts whether Camby and Thomas can survive it.
from what I saw last night I could easily see Crawford being backup PG over Nolan and EWill getting playin time over Nolan in the second unit. It's only one night, we will see.
I hope that fans who were proud that Pritchard's teams were some of the youngest of all time have learned from watching Juwan Howard and Kurt Thomas. A young team is a positive only in potential, not in current floor ability, and if they're mediocre players, not even in potential. The new regimen of Vulcans and Buchanan don't believe in the bake the cake nonsense. Just get guys who can play now and cut out the golden future BS.
KP's biggest issue to me was he fell in "love" with HIS players. He got too close and really struggled in getting rid of any of them, even if it made us better. He did a great job bring in talent and draft picks, but just couldn't seem to get past trading away players he selected. Maybe his pride got in the way too. Cho, I think, didn't mesh with Allen because he was more of plotter. Thinker. He analyzed everything till he felt comfortable with a deal. Allen, if we all know how he runs his many businesses, isn't that patient. Cho did get us Wallace, so that's good. But I think Allen wanted things done a bit quicker. It's sad to me that Paul won't consider Chad for GM, since he's been interm twice now and has worked well with everyone. The players he got now fit in well with who they are now building around: LA. With Roy no longer coming in to "save the day" and everyone worrying about his knees (and make no mistake, I am a BIG Roy mark and a healthy Roy makes this team better, but he made the right choice) and us already being used to not have Oden, Chad and company made moves to help LA rest and not have to carry the load as much. Crawford is a great fit and good replacement for Roy, seeing as I do think if Roy was able to play this year, he'd be back up G behind Matthews. Thomas is proven and consistent and Smith is just a big body to help shove people around. Think Mark Bryant. Now, for shit's sake, let's say Oden does come back this year (depending on which rumors you believe...), he would be a great addition for a late season push should we be in the thick of things, which I think we could. We have a nice mix of young and veteran talent right now. Let's see how it all comes together and HOPE for once, we have a year where we have no major injuries.
All good points. Yes, it's amazing how quickly the addition of "vets" Thomas and Crawford materialized. Instant experience. Plus, it sure seems to me, they've seamlessly assimilated themselves within the current team. Kinda cool. Let's hope it equates to court success.
I think it's about getting the RIGHT vets on the team. You can get Vets that know how to play, but if they don't mesh, it can look all crazy and disorganized. Granted, this is one game. Yet, when you have 3 guys coming in knowing they are coming off the bench, know their roles, it makes things so much easier. I think more than any other year, this year we shouldn't have to worry about who's role is what.
What players that KP selected that he didn't get rid of? Did you want him to get rid of Roy, LMA, or Batum? He got rid of Frye, Sergio, an Blake. Name one player that KP selected that you wish he got rid of?
You know exactly what I meant. Everyone talked about it. let's not get our panties in a bunch. It was known he loved his players and had a hard time considering trading any of them. He held onto some longer than maybe he should have...minus the big three. I am thinking minor players.
It wasn't "whether" so much as "when"--he waited too long. Sergio's trade value was much higher than his court value for quite a while; that was never capitalized on. Same with Rudy. Same arguably with Outlaw and Webster.
