I agree with your post, but that player does need to have good enough handles to get the ball upcourt against some pressure. As high as I am about the potential of Rupert and Sidy, I don't think they can do that. But I do think Love can,
Apologies if it wasn't clear. I thought I addressed that by saying all you need is someone that can get the ball up court and get you into an offense without turning it over (consistently). I think Rupert and Sidy both can do this, but I think SL will give us an idea if they're being groomed for that role. The other thing to keep in mind is a 3rd string PG on the Blazers this year probably is not going to be facing NBA all-defensive team members pressing in the final moments with a playoff spot on the line. This is not a high-usage role, and they might not be 1st-string PGs, but the also aren't going to be playing a lot against 1st-team defensive stoppers.
No, I understood. My point was that I didn't think those two players could. I can't remember exactly who, but a couple of years ago, we tried it with an SG in the 2nd quarter, and teams caught on and started to pressure him, and it was a disaster. (Maybe Keon Johnson?) Bottom line is, teams will prepare for it.
We'll agree to disagree then. I think at least one of those two will be effective at it, and I don't think we're going to be playing a third-string PG big minutes in the 2Q of important games (fourth-string PG if you figure in Deni) and other teams are going to alter its minutes and rotations just for a handful of possessions on the chance they can rattle these guys so much that they'll get a handful of turnovers out of it. I think you're overthinking it. Not saying you are absolutely, 100% off-base. Just saying that I think the odds of your premise are infinitesimally small. Sure, it could happen. So could a lot of things. You don't prepare for something that will happen 1-5% of the time at the detriment of something that will happen 50-75% of the time.
Id get a two way guy as 3rd string. Need someone that's fine with DNP but can play a few minutes if there's extended injuries. With Deni playmaking he is partially the 3rd string PG so it's really a 4th string we need. Also Sharpe can create offense, Grant can create on the 2nd unit, and our bigs are solid with the ball.
I would hope they find some kind of journeyman/vet PG for third string, but I have a feeling that would be the one spot they don’t fill.
