This kinda makes me think it was an internal thing within him. Some dudes kinda boil over at times, and let it out like Tony the Tiger. Maybe it's just part of the internal hunger and he's ready to let frustration go and he's ready to just bust some ass. Firing himself up. He probably doesn't like how his free agency played out. He probably wishes he was more of "the man". That was my kinda initial thought to this, and part of why I didn't understand that people were saying fans were going after him and he's the new scapegoat. While his tweets don't make a lot of sense on the surface, JJ being the fan's scapegoat for this team makes even less sense.
Thought that was funny, too. Then, I thought more about it.... And I found it funnier that the coach was reading Haynes' articles. Rookie coach.
I think I know when this happened. During the SA game, Lillard waived off Hickson in the post to post up Aldridge instead. Hickson looked pissed and he and Lillard had words coming back down the floor.
Yep. Matthews and Hickson to the bench, Claver and Leonard starting, Batum to SG. Make it happen, Stotts! What could go wrong?
actually, that might not be a horribly bad idea. If for no other reason than the bench won't be outscored 900 to 3
I'm on board with starting Leonard. Sure, JJ has put up nice numbers playing out of position at center, but he's not protecting the basket. (Truth is that nobody is.) Leonard won't defend any better than Hickson does right now, but hopefully over time he develops some skills. Hickson's defense as a center has basically no upside. I'd rather Leonard deliver his hard 6 fouls as a starter and get more minutes at backup PF for JJ.
This. And if the starting C position is just going to be the clean-up man, then let Leonard start. I wouldn't be surprised if he could put up close to 8/8 in the starting lineup. Hickson would then put up greater numbers off the bench. I don't think we're getting full efficiency with the current starting lineup. JJ isn't used to his full capability, and a rook like Leonard isn't going to get much help playing offense in that second unit.
6 games in and Hickson already is needing attention. Gee, I wonder why 2 other teams have let him walk...
I have 2 theories. 1) A KATU producer didn't film a halfcourt shot he made in practice. 2) Just what he said--He decided to become a verbal leader on court because we're losing.
@blazerbanter said 3 days ago that in practice, Matthews, Batum, and Price missed their 3/4 court-length shots and Hickson made his. No camera recorded it. @blazerbanter then said too bad, this is all we have, and linked to a video of Hickson missing the same shot in another practice. So Hickson tweeted a mock complaint and Birnbach tweeted him the reply above. Who cares, it wasn't worth my effort.
It's the media's right to second-guess the coach. That's what they do, within reason. A coach should be accountable for their actions/decisions. Players and coaches shouldn't be so fragile (not saying Stotts is here, but there are some great examples out there). Paying fans deserve to question, as well (since without us, the NBA wouldn't be the enterprise it is). Plus, controversy sells. That being said, it was a funny encounter. And media also has to be held accountable. Hopefully, through the discussion, the two sides understand the opinions.
I'm ok with the media saying it, and with the coach and players questioning it. Haynes' response could've been something like "heck yeah, I did...can you name another bench that's getting outscored by almost 40 a game? Do you have a better response to why you're 2-5?" Not antagonistically, but there's room for give and take.
