I agree with everyone saying that we should keep Crabbe - we've developed him, let's reap the rewards. (Unless a great trade offer is made, but that should go without saying.) What I really wanted to comment on is this statement about Harkless. I totally agree - we need to be giving him a consistent 20mpg at SF - and more as he improves. He's been very hot/cold, but he's also been suffering from the Terry Yank Around. But it's clear that he has way more potential than Aminu. Maybe Harkless never develops consistency, but at least there's something worth taking a look at with him. With Aminu he's as developed as he's ever going to be - and he's not very good. Let's see if we can't turn Harkless into a reliable player.
I not as down on Aminu as you but I do think Aminu needs just as many PF minutes as SF minutes. And Harkless needs more SF minutes ALL the time (playing Aminu at PF at least half the time opens up some more minutes for Mo).
The one thing that's nice about Aminu is that he can guard multiple positions. That's something that we needed to replace after trading Batum. I don't see Harkless filling that need.
All this Terry bashing later, we're sitting here with CJ as an emerging star, Crabbe as a definite starter, Leonard showing flashes as a consistent role player, and Plumlee, et al honing their skills. Maybe the guy knows what he's doing? The player development I've seen with this regime (Neil/Terry down) has been nothing short of amazing tbh. Give him a bit of time with Hark... I see the skills there, but his aggression is nowhere near consistent. His 20mpg will be set in stone once Henderson is gone.
I agree. Harkless needs an opportunity. His 3 pt shot is a little "weird" but so far is effective. He does force things at the basket, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. (He got fucking robbed last night not getting the call on the dunk attempt in the 4th.- That play totally gave Denver new life) Another plus for Harkless is he can cover stretch 4's, (as can Aminu). And every team has them so there is a big need. He is very strong and very explosive. Always a nice combination. He has Jerome Kersey potential.
Aminu's defense is overrated. He can guard multiple positions, but he's not great at guarding any position - depending on the match-up he hovers between mediocre and good. But any way you slice it he's no Allen/Battier/Prince/Posey/Batum.
We should keep him...we need to trade Henderson and give backup SG and SF minutes to Crabbe and Harkless....when both these guys get good minutes we seem to play at our best.
Or.... we need to continue to hide the two of them until after we sign them to extensions this summer. Hendo is our smoke screen.
Right...I don't think there is any hiding Crabbe anymore...but that would be good, then we wouldn't have to offer them as much come the summer...but keeping them, trading Hendo/Kaman...or just Hendo and letting Kaman walk...and signing a couple of good free agents and we are looking a good shade better
I couldn't disagree more...he kept Lebron James to a season low and is way above avg defender..also young...folks act like Aminu is old but he's not..he's got room for improvement.
One game. There have been many more games where he played mediocre defense. He can zero in at times, but overall he's not a great defender by any stretch of the imagination. I've been much more impressed by Vonleh's defensive positioning than by any defense Aminu has played - and I'm not on the Vonleh train by any stretch of the imagination, either. Aminu is youngish, I just don't see any room for improvement with him - he's not smart and he's not particularly skilled. He is who he is, and that's an okay back-up.
I think you can play Crabbe a little at 3. Heres how the rotation should go: Lillard 36 / McCollum 12 McCollum 24 / Crabbe 24 / Aminu 14 / Moe 17 / Hendo 11 /Crabbe 6 Vonleh 14 / Davis 22 / Aminu 12 Plumlee 26 / Meyers 22 So: Dame/CJ 36 Crabbe 30 Plumlee/Aminu 26 Meyers/Davis 22 Harkless 17 Vonleh 14 Henderson 11
This is the lineup that I would run with from here on out: Dame/Frazier CJ/Hendo Crabbe/Harkless Aminu/Davis Plumlee/Leonard Shelf Vonleh for now and keep developing him, but that's the rotation I would go with.
I'd like to see this for a 10-15 game stretch. Dame/Montero CJ/Crabbe Harkless/Aminu Davis/Vonleh Meyers/Plumlee
I was thinking more along the lines of the 1990 postseason run when Petro played an integral role in helping us get to the Finals (Danny Young as well). I'm still bitter we moved Drazen for Walter Davis because we had just traded for Danny Ainge ...
