Tell me why Simmons, Hassell, Najera should play meaningful minutes this season

Let the kids play. And that includes, that "idiot" Sean Williams

 

IDK according to Frank something about setting an example if that makes any sense at all.

 

They simply shouldn't play. I'm all for it in case of injuries... but we are REBUILDING and need our youngsters to develop.

 

I don't know why Simmons is even in the league.

 

Fixed

 

I agree that the rookies should get much more playing time, but i'm not so sure about Sean

 

That's how good Hassell is. You don't even realize he's on the team.

 

Let's see what we got

 

of course sean should play. dont be stupid. he brings energy and shot blocking to this team. let him get his timing back and he will be fine. if they stopped giving him the ball with his back to the basket you may see more offensive production also.

 

Najera is our best post defender. He needs to play.

Hassell and Simmons have roles, but I'd rather see CDR get minutes before they do.

 

1. They along with Hayes and Dooling are all good defenders when healthy.

2. There is something called the "Rookie Wall". Watch for it. Oh, by the way, the wall can get pushed back if you limit the number of minutes rookies play.

3. They (should) have something to prove.

4. Some of them will be gone by the trade deadline, if not before.

 

Najera will be a big contributor; remember he missed all of training camp, and that is having an effect.

Hassell is worthless, and untradable. Well, he is a decent emergency backup. Now that Devin is back, and Dooling will be a true backup, I think that it will have a reverberating effect and Hassell will thankfully play less.

I'm still holding out hope that Simmons will still prove to be a league-average player, which is all the Nets need from that spot. He has looked bad so far, though.

Hassell and Simmons were the price to be paid for trading away high-priced players for lower-priced players with potential. There's nothing that can be done about it. Every team has overpriced players that they were forced to take on because of some trade.

 

1. Simmons isn't. Still, the minutes would be better served on young players. We aren't winning a title this year and these three will get worse every year.

2. I realize that, no need to talk down to me. Using these guys to relieve our young players of the rookie wall are "meaningful minutes." Anderson was averaging 10 mpg before last game -- does he need to sit that much to stay out of the Rookie Wall?

3. They won't be able to prove it.

4. One can only hope.

 

I realize that, but you don't shoot yourself in the foot by continuing to play them.

 

I don't think Hassell should play, and I don't think he WILL play when everyone is healthy. If I am wrong, I will be very, very upset.

I don't mind a longer leash for Simmons. It's obvious that Jarvis Hayes is better, but I like the spark he provides off the bench. I think, though, that especially when CDR is back healthy, that Simmons may play no more than 20 minutes a night even though he is the "starter." Tha wouldn't be horrible. Theoretically, Simmons should mesh well with Carter. I don't mind giving him a few more weeks to work things out.

But remember my rule of thumb: Two players will always be hurt, and two players will prove to suck and be out of the rotation by the beginning of December (and that doesn't include expected scrubs like Swift and Ager, btw). I wouldn't be at all surprised if Simmons is one of the players that suck. But it is a rule of thumb, which suggests that most teams experience it. So long as Frank recognizes who sucks, and replacement players do a suitable job, it isn't a big deal; I don't see the point of whining about Simmons if his poor performance is just within some team-wide statistical mean.

Despite the inconsistency, I think we've got to be pretty happy so far with about five of the nets players (Devin, Vince, Dooling, Jarvis, Ryan); have seen enough flashes of good play to be supportive of the youngsters remaining in the rotation (Boone [despite his free throws], Below, Ryan, Yi, CDR [i guess but we didn't see him much before he got hurt]). That's a pretty good start. That second group obviously needs to develop consistency but we all expected that it would take six-eight weeks for that, at least. Then there is also Najera, who I am still high on and will contribute at some point.

The Nets really just need a players to step up to become CONSISTENTLY the #3 scoring threat--hopefully it will be Lopez, since an inside threat will just make Vince and the bombers more effective--and could use an experienced backup bigman (not counting Najera).

Hasell? Swift? They are on the periphery. If Simmons turns into a 14 ppg guy, then this is a playoff team (assuming that the Group 2 players gain consistency).

The

 

Maybe I am underrating Simmons, but he has not impressed me at all. He is not quick enough to defend athletic threes, can't create his own shot, not a great passer, slows down the offense. He can shoot a three in specific spots. That doesn't smell like a starter to me.

My ideal rotation:

Harris/Dooling
Carter/Hassell (until CDR is back)
Hayes/Najera (somebody has to play here, wouldn't mind Anderson taking a majority of the minutes here if someone else can guard the SF)
Yi/Anderson
Lopez/Boone

Use Williams in spots where we need energy, Simmons in spots where we need outside shooting...

 

Simmons has his moments, but shouldn't be starting. Hayes has clearly been the Nets best small forward so far.

Hassell I cannot defend. I'd "risk" putting Ager out there in his minutes instead. But, honestly, he was only playing due to injuries in the backcourt.

Najera is, sadly, done. I haven't really watched him since he was on Dallas, but there's a huge fork sticking out of his back. I'm not quite sure what his contract is (buy out or no buy out?), but I didn't like it at the time and it's proving even worse than I thought.

 

i think the third scoring threat will be done by committee for now. It could be a different player each night. For example the rookies won't be consistant for a while or at least a month or so. And, assuming none of them hit a major rookie wall. So Yi had a great night one night with 24/10, then its brooks and ryan's turn with 25/8 and 15.

On another night it could be Hayes and dooling that carry major numbers. As these young players we have now get more time and playing experience the consistancy should improve.
I'm hoping either Brook and Yi or Anderson become starters and can maintain double double averages.

 

Simmons still stinks.

 

Bobby is a physical, if not quick, defender and has the best size for the SF position on the roster. He is a career 39% 3-point shooter and is even shooting 43% so far this year from 3, which, over the course of a season, would be considered an excellent percentage. But his 2-point percentage has dipped this year to an atrocious 35%, and he has blown some wide open 3s after superb setups at crucial, defining moments of games.

If he and his teammates learn that his role offensively is ONLY to move to open 3-point areas and shoot off kickouts -- not to try to dribble in and shoot or make plays in a motion set -- then I think he might be able to settle in and be a decent starting role player. Hayes is clearly better in all phases of the game, should get more minutes, and should clearly take his spot at the end of halfs and end of games. It's hard to be patient with Simmons when even the rookies are making such strides, but I'm willing to give him a few more weeks to find his niche.

Now if he could be moved in part of a trade involving a young big/1st rounder for someone like Mike Miller or Shane Battier, I'd do it yesterday.