It boggles my mind that anyone is using one preseason game against a non-NBA team that we won by 40 as any sort of new evidence that they were right that Simons is not worth retaining.
Did someone say that this one game was proof positive that he needs to go? I think most people have wanted to move away from an undersized shooting guard for a WHILE. This one game has nothing to do with it. He didn't even play that badly. I personally am just done with it. Rather go Scoot/Shaedon and see what happens.
You said - "It boggles my mind that anyone is using one preseason game against a non-NBA team that we won by 40 as any sort of new evidence that they were right that Simons is not worth retaining." Who was in the thread saying that this one preseason game was new evidence (aka proof positive) that he's not worth retaining? Seems like it's just the same conversation that wholistically, having a tiny ass backcourt is not a good thing.
In general, I look for plus offense from guards and plus defense from wings and Bigs. Bigger players have to shut down the interior from closer easy shots, smaller players have to be able to overcome tough D and still score especially from the outside. I'm happy that Ant is on the team and think he's a talent. Like a lot of scorers, he's better when he's more of the focus then peripheral to an attack and there should be plenty of opportunities for him this upcoming season. Defensively though, he's best matched up on smaller guys then wings. Hopefully he'll gain some full grown man strength and be able to better handle wings going forward, but so far he's usually been overpowered by bigger guys. Hopefully he and Scoot are doing the iron sharpens iron thing going up against each other in practice. STOMP
Of course the PG guards the other team's SG as teams switch on D all the time. Scoot will be switched on to Wings as well. While I don't have high hopes for him excelling at this year one, it's because of his strength/length and competitiveness that he could be a defensive beast in time. STOMP
It's not like he's an unknown rookie, he's been here years and years, we know exactly what to expect People forget too quickly, it takes just one off season and it seems like players will change drastically, it's not like this I still have in my eyes every possession in which Sharpe was wide open and Simons had his classic tunnel vision just for his shot
In crunch time I want the ball in either Scoot or Sharpe's hands, but if Ant is open swing it and let him kill them. The only exception is when we are down by 3 with one possession then I want Ant taking the three, other than that corner case I will always prefer Scoot or Sharpe to be taking that shot as we aren't winning this year anyways, and I want those two to show how they perform under pressure.
I'm not seeing that either sounds like some sort of made up blackpill fantasy. Sometimes Sharpe doesn't really go for it, especially if it doesn't matter. When it matters and if he is given minutes, shots and a major role, even if as 6th man, then I think he will take the next step. I don't see anything like what some doomers are saying.
I am gonna come back and use this quote as my signature when Sharpe is lighting up the league. In fact, why wait?
He's already better than Outlaw come on! He was a rookie on a team stacked at guard. When he finally got minutes and was the focus of teams on defense who were trying to get into the playoffs, he still absolutely tore it up. Do people just think that was a fluke? I saw a guy with SUPERSTAR potential, I maybe had a fever dream once of that with Outlaw who was in his mid 20's and clearly dumb as a box of rocks. Sharpe is intelligent, reflective, and unbelievably talented. Absolutely ridiculous comp, just cause he can jump high?
I wonder what will happen when teams double Scoot and front Ayton? Hmmm? Might need to watch a few games before we come to many conclusions?
Scoot has never played a game and Sharpe was in a small role as a 19 year old last season. There is plenty of opportunity for those two to build up their offensive roles while having some experience in Ant/Ayton/Grant support them. It would be much worse for Scoot Sharpe development to hand them the entire offense and have them predictably fail. Blazers sent out a very high usage ball dominant player a couple weeks ago in Lillard. There are more than ample opportunities for the young talent here as is. I don't understand the rush to quickly send out the only proven NBA offense this team has. The Blazers would possibly have the worst immediate offensive NBA talent in the league if those changes were done right now. Yes Ant defense is a likely weakness long term. That doesn't mean it should have a short term action or overreaction.
Lol…. Go back and reread your own post….Because the only mind boggle IS your first post about people just using one preseason game as a judgement… Super confusing post and even more baffling response to the rebuttal.
People often bring up the example of the Warriors splitting up the Monta Ellis - Steph Curry duo. Well guess what; #1 Steph was a 4 year college player with a shorter learning curve than Scoot/Sharpe #2 Warriors got a key two way starter in Bogut for Ellis; they didn't dump him for nothing #3 Perhaps playing with Ellis helped Curry gradually work his way up to one of the great offensive players of all time, he didn't have to do it all himself the first few years #4 Curry and Ellis played together TWO and a HALF YEARS! Perhaps one day it'll make sense to split up the Ant Scoot Sharpe trio. Warriors e entually did it with Ellis. Lakers eventually did it with Eddie Jones. But that time is NOT TODAY!
I am sure Scoot and Shae will get their opportunities. However, I do like having this option as well:
I'd rather this be the first option: https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxjz4Wbku13P81qMgp4-0ENWUmRbkDGrOE?si=AkkgdADTcfxdJ67E
watch the video of Shaedon giving a tour of his home and tell me that he is delighted to be thousands of miles from home. he wants to be near his family in toronto.
