OK, so with the addition of Crash and the return of "Roy" (i.e., new Roy not old Roy), we are clearly a solid second-tier team. So what next? It seems to me we just need a big banger - a studly solid center in the middle who can shore up the defense, rebound and block, and chip in about 10 pts a game. If only we had such a guy in the wings...
This studly center, would he start? I really like Batum and Crash starting together, even though we give up height. Or would he be first off the bench to give LMA or the worse of Batum/Crash (on any given night) a breather? I agree that we need someone more substantial than Camby to shore up our front line, though. Ever since his jump shot got flushed down the toilet, he's been less of an asset.
Along with GO, we need a vocal leader who holds guys accountable. I don't believe this team has much mental fortitude with a diminished Roy these days. I don't trust anyone (outside of Brandon) to make a basket or FTs, or even shut down a guy on D to win a game in the playoffs.
We need a new CBA rule this summer so we can get Roy's contract off the books. That's the only hope to get out of the 2nd tier.
You make a qualifying offer to GO - and try to lock him for a 3 year contract at the $6m/year rate - and you offer Samuel Dalambert the MLE (assuming the same kind of CBA).
An elite PG would put this team over the top. Miller is fine for 80% of the game, but his lack of offense becomes a liability down the stretch. That's the difference between winning and losing big playoff games.
A good starting center would bench Batum. You will miss his wing defense, but what goes away you will make up in point stoppage inside. One of the biggest problems that GO faced was our outside-in defense was at times atrocious, so he was constantly plagued by ticky tack fouls from guards and forwards slashing in to him. With upgrades at defense in Matthews and Wallace, not as many of these guys will make it in to the center, and someone like GO will be able to spend more time looking up not down... more stops on stronger pf'S and centers, more blocks, more rebounds, and more easy second chance points. In my estimation that is worth the defensive work of Batum.
what we need most is a PG that can shoot better than .125 from 3P. as good as miller is in other facets, his total lack of any range is something good teams will always exploit in the playoffs.
I'd add Rudy to that list. But without a solid Center, the team will fall apart against teams like L.A. and the C's.
dont really agree with the miller upgrade, OK his shooting from outside is horrible, but his work in the paint and the ability to back opposing pg's down is a weapon that's saved us numerous times in games when nothing else was falling. if anything, the outside shooting of batum, ruby, wes, roy etc needs to just get a little better. all we really need is a healthy GO and to keep the tempo up.
I'm still holding out hope for GO but how nice would it be to have Javale "I block shots with my armpit" McGee right about now?
If we had a healthy Greg Oden, there's nobody in the league that this team couldn't push to the limit in a 7 game series. Will we ever see a healthy Oden? I have no clue and neither does anybody else who posts here. Assuming that he continues his rehab without setbacks, and given the way he responded to his first MF surgery, IMO he's definitely worth re-signing to a 3 year contract. Given the uncertainty about his future, however, I think you have to look to add a true starting-quality PF to the mix so that Aldridge can slide to the C spot if needed. I love Wallace and Batum, but ultimately I think that one of them may have to be moved to bring in a PG who can backup Miller and eventually replace him. That's not going to be an easy decision for Cho to make, but I think it's going to have to be done.
Spurs won with Avery Johnson. Miller is a far better player than AJ ever was. We need a banger to come off the bench. I think that's what we're missing most.
Avery Johnson was a decent defender. My biggest worry with Miller is how quick PGs just abuse the guy.
how many quick PGs are there in the league that are on contenders? Rondo, Rose, Westbrook, Parker? and maybe add in there ty lawson.... but how often is miller actually guarding them if hes getting really abused early? not very often....
Add Nash to the list after last year's playoffs. Chris Paul has dominated the Blazers as well, and even Mike Conley has had his moments.
like i said how often is he actually guarding them unless theres another star on the floor? and even then shit gets pushed around where hes not guarding them
