Losing Wes is a killer but this opens the door for someone else and I'm picking Gee. He brings the same type of defensive ability. Not the same shooter but he attacks the rim with force and is better than Wes on fast breaks. If I'm Stotts I'm keeping Afflalo as the go to guy with the second unit and inserting Gee into the starting lineup. Starting isn't new to him, he's a vet, and is a better option right now than a young guy like crabbe.
+> That is the steady logical course. Agreed. Gee came in with sticks of dynamite tonight. Time tells and he has his oppurtunity just like Justin Forsett on the Ravens roster succeded so can Gee.
I've always liked Gee, thought he was underrated and also said he's more than just a throw in. If he can get more consistent with his shot he's a keeper. Now he'll get the minutes to prove himself.
wes is a prolific 3pt shooter in volume and accuracy its going to be really hard to replace that with alonzo gee willikers, but i think an amalgamation of cj, crabbe, and gee could collectively theoretically possibly approximate wesleys contributions by and large. fuck.
The idea of starting Gee would leave us with more firepower on the bench and give us that extra good defense with the starters. Afflalo could have more shots with the second unit and run the offense. It might win us more games in the regular season. But I would start Afflalo. He needs to build chemistry with the starters. That will be the main group of guys playing together in the playoffs, and especially closing games for the final 6 minutes. They only have about 20 games to get used to each others tendencies. We need to maximize their minutes together. The bench will get a lot of burn the rest of the season especially in the back to backs and road trips coming up so hopefully between Gee/CJ/Crabbe one of them can earn a spot as a useful backup in the playoff rotation.
It's afflalo's time to shine and nobody elses. CJ will have to step up big, but Afflalo will be the one in the starting lineup.
CJ was given a lot of time to prove himself and he played himself to the end of the bench. He was that bad. This is Afflalo's time to step up. Nic playing a little SG with Wright/Gee getting some burn at SF.
Just like the Spurs were idiotic to start Green over Ginobili, and the Thunder were idiotic to start Sefalosha over Harden? There is a valid argument to starting a defensive-oriented guard in front of a stronger offensive player, with a thought toward balancing out the offense. That said, I'd start Afflalo too.
I actually think it's better to start Afflalo and unleash Gee with the second unit. AAA has been getting a lot of minutes with the starters and in crunch time. Stotts will continue this. If we need outside shooting Stotts will have to gamble with CJ or Crabbe -- or sign Ray Allen....
Well Ginobli was always the 6th man, even when he was much better. But that definitely holds merit. As far as Harden... He left OKC and you could argue that one was money and two was "not giving him the respect to be a starter". When I say "idiotic" I'm more implying Afflalo being in his contract year (being able to opt out). You don't start him and I could see him take offense. It was easy for him to accept not starting because Wes is here, but I doubt he would be happy with anyone else taking the starting position on our squad.
Welp, now is when you shorten your bench. Dame AA Nic LA Rolo Kaman Blake Wright Freeland That's pretty much the extent of the rotation unless Crabbe, CJ, or Gee play their way into the top 9.
Afflalo is not like Ginobili or Harden though. He gets his offense in the flow, he doesn't create it.
Afflalo will be playing 33-35 minutes a game so you might as well get him used to playing with the starters. But I see the advantages of starting Gee as your lock down defender against the other teams starting SG's. But I would still bring him off the bench as your energy guy for either AAA or Nic. He just needs to know what his role is and to stick to it. He is our new Will Barton, minus the ball handling duties. Play aggressive D, hit the occasional 3, rebound, cherry pick, and throw it down! (We know he can finish)
I really like what I saw from Gee last night. He might not be able to be the heart & soul of the team the way Wes is, but he can certainly be the motor! He actually reminded me a lot of Ruben Patterson. I'm excited to see him play more minutes. I am not excited about seeing Wright play more minutes.
I think it maybe more important to start the guy who is the higher priority in the offseason. I don't know maybe it's Gee . Liked what I saw last night.
Still don't trust the guy, but he'll get minutes too. He might be the one that will have to step up the most and be that scorer off the bench. I wonder if Crabbe will get any minutes.
