Even before the training staff? Caleb has sucked for only a year and a half. The onlslaught of injuries dates back years and years. If I were GM I'd ax them first. "Let's see you try to rehabilitate your severed heads, assholes!" Muahahahaha.
Voted yes. Sure, he looks lost at times, makes dumb mistakes, etc. But I think it helps rookies a ton to be able to play with a solid lineup of competent players. Had we decided to completely tank this season, traded Aldridge for scraps, and passed on signing Batum, I don't think Lillard would be quite the same player we see right now. Having 3 or 4 average to above average starters alongside him makes things easier on him. I think playing Leonard alongside Batum, Aldridge, Wes and Lillard will help his game a lot more than aligning with jeffries and Price off the bench.
To add to that, just going off of 82games top lineups for Leonard, by minutes, #2 is Smith-Barton-Babbitt-Freeland-Leonard. I know that's likely due to mop up time or whatever, but that lineup sucks.
I'm for this, but I want JJ to stay engaged and productive to keep at least some trade value. If we don't move him by the deadline, I want Myers to start afterwards.
His offensive game (IMO) will be mainly P&P's and P&R's -- They've barely ran any P&R's for him so far. With his finishing ability and athleticism, they've got to do this more.
I think you are right, eventually. But right now I think it's good on offense to have him just concentrate on offensive boards and put backs, and the occasional oop. It's not like the team is really hurting on the offensive end. Mostly, I want his attention to be on the defensive side. Once he can learn how to rotate and move his feet on defense, then you can add in some offensive sets.
So far Leonard looks more comfortable taking a pick and pop shot or finishing an alley-oop than anything else. If he can get those putbacks and offensive boards great, but right now he doesn't look like an especially gifted rebounder.
Ya, you have to see if he can be the presence in the middle we need. We need a guy in there that can cause the opposing team to think twice about taking it to the rim, not just a guy that can score and rebound a little
I have a suspicion that we are starting hickson to up his value. If oshley can't find any takers that hickson can agree with; then Leonard will get a lot more burn after the trade deadline.
Except if I can see what a liability Hickson has been as a starting center vs. the Clips, I'm guessing pro scouts can too. Still, a team that needs a backup hustle rebounding machine for the playoffs would be a great fit for him. Hopefully someone comes calling.
I don't think he would be as much of a defensive liability against PFs though. He is seriously over matched playing center. If he somehow could land a starting PF spot on a good team; they would do well.
Starting Leonard would mean bagging the season and dropping to about .400. Hickson would be disgusted and wouldn't entertain our summer offer. In effect, we'd be trading Hickson to get our bottom-12 protected 2013 draft pick.
