After thinking about the issue a little more, I'm more open to JR Smith than I was yesterday. Why? Because our acquisitions from now on should be focused on helping the team in those intense moments against the toughest of competition. Like an elimination game against with Lebron guarding Rose during the last minute. With imperfect choices, that would favor a guy like Smith over a steadier player like Courtney Lee. We're probably going to win between 53-65 games a year in the regular season no matter who our SG is. That said, I think the JR Smith situation boils down to one question: Exactly what type of idiot is he? If he's the kind of idiot that dicks around 95% of the time but has a big enough ego to focus during the few moments that really count, (like during the waning moments of a playoff game), then we ought to go ahead and get him, warts and all. If he's truly a dim bulb or completely apathetic about on_court outcomes and his stupidity-level is not game sensitive, then we ought to save ourselves and go with someone else or do nothing.
He's this kind J.R. Smith plays J.R. Smith's game. Coaches tend to be stubborn bastards and strive for collective coordinated effort. For his coaches, this has always been the problem with Smith. You can dream your dreams of Smith being your secret weapon during those few moments that really count, but far too often, Smith isn't on the court for those moments...coach's decision.
What coaches? You mean "coach." The guy was like 19 years old when we had him and traded him away without giving him a look. The only coach he's really played for past the age of 19 is Karl. I remember when Iverson was with Denver, and still able to lead the league in scoring, there were a lot of posts on this site about how Karl was an idiot for not playing Smith more. There's certainly truth to coaches tending to be stubborn bastards.
BTW, I'm completely open to getting someone better than Smith. But getting nobody who fills our glaring needs isn't part of a winning formula. All I ask is if not Smith, then who?
Much as I appreciate your attempt to clarify, I actually meant to say coaches. Byron Scott had Smith for 2 years (ages 19 and 20) and was not a fan for the same reasons Karl has voiced. You guys can keep wanting him, but if you get your wish, I fear that you'll be disappointed. Not because Smith won't do some marvelous things on the court, but because Thibs won't play him like "talent uber alles" fans will want.
But Paxson and Gar, especially, have included Thibs in the loop on personnel decisions, and I expect will continue to do so. It worked pretty well so far. I'm ready to accept Smith if they are. How's that for going out on a limb? I hear you, Transplant. But Smith is still in the discussion.
I hear what you're saying. I'd love to hear a nuggets fan chime in on this issue. This is decent evidence that JR's the "wrong" type of idiot. Consider me officially "tipped" in your direction.
Heck, Smith played 30+ minutes in 17 of his 79 games last season. He can certainly sometimes stay on the court. He's a gifted player that doesn't particularly like listening to his coaches. He'd be best suited to a team whose coach is the type to "throw the ball out there and let the boys recreate." Uh, I question the fit with Thibs.
Well, yes, if Thibs doesn't believe in the guy, and especially if the guy says, no, I'm not interested in playing in such and such a system, good riddance and we don't go there. But you look at him. I think the Bulls did, right, even just this year?
I completely agree with this assessment. It's not Smith. I want to make a move for a shooting guard. We need more unreasonable confidence guys. Smith isn't who we are looking for though.
