Hendo, Tyrus, DJ and Other Observations...

[Proudiddy]

Okay we've seen Hendo as a starter (including last year) for awhile now and TT came back last night, although he may still be rusty from injury...

Hendo has become a much improved shooter, but from my observations, he seems to lack the consistency or "killer instinct" of a true go-to scorer. This isn't a bad thing, but it means that he isn't the "superstar" go-to guy MJ said he might be.

Yes, we're still working with a small sample size, but even at this point, I think we've seen enough to know he's a good-great complimentary player. Is he a starter? I think so, but he's just better served playing off of more consistent guys. He's an outstanding defender, but he's just not consistent offensively. I love his game, but it just seems he is too content with deferring to often. We shouldn't see 25 pts one night and then 8 the next. What do you think?

*Next point, Tyrus... I know he's coming off an injury, but the more I see, the less I believe. I love his game as well, but he just doesn't seem to have "it." There's a point when potential becomes wasted talent and time, and we may be entering that threshold.

*Next point... I think it's possible we do have a go-to scorer, possibly two of them, but our team is poorly constructed and thus we have a problem in allowing either embrace that role. Why you ask? Because these two players are of similar build and play the same position... You got it! DJ and Kemba. IMO, these guys are our two best players (and most consistent scorers), but they play the same position. Furthermore, Silas' talk of playing them together hasn't happened all that often, mainly because it's extremely hard to play defense with two 6-foot guys out there at the same time.

So what do we do? In my mind, DJ and Kemba are our best players and biggest assets, and I don't want to lose DJ because I don't think we'll get back fair value if our FO looks to trade him. I wish we could re-sign him long-term, but again this is an unenviable position to be in because it just seems he and Kemba can't assert themselves as "the man" with the other guy here at the same position. Someone loses with both of them here, but I don't want to lose either... ARRRRRGGGGGH!!!

*I've come to the realization that UPS is indeed best suited as a poetry reading bench rider with occasional appearances of the 10 minute variety. As a starter? Yuck. He just seems lost out there.

*DJ White and Byron Mullens ARE PLAYERS. I said many times since last year that all DJW needed was minutes. I watched him several times in college and knew his skills would translate really well to the NBA so I didn't understand why OKC considered him a throw-away. Guess it just shows they are that deep to let go of DJW and Mullens for scraps. Both guys can ball and should continue seeing increasing minutes and I would love to see them as core rotational guys going forward.

*This team is built for dark ages results, and by dark ages I mean FHB ages.

Thoughts?

[Bobcat Matt]

I think if Thomas does not improve this season or keeps getting hurt, we should SERIOUSLY consider using the amnesty clause on him. He's owed too much $ and we'd never find a taker for him. I still believe he has a chance to be an important peice, but I need to see a lot more out of him this year, and if not, amnesty.

I love DJ White's game and is definitely a peice we need to keep around. I agree with you about Brown. I've NEVER been a huge fan of his and I think we should've kept Cunningham instead of bringing Brown back.

I hope they do not trade Augustin unless they get a killer return, and I doubt that happens. I think we are about to witness his "breakout season." I don't care if we have a similar guy behind him, we can't let him get away for nothing.

[Proudiddy]

Agreed on all accounts Matt... Only thing is, I think Kemba could possibly be even better as far as being a go-to scorer and leader. I love DJ's game and he's killing it this year. Ideally I would like us to be able to keep him, but as many times as we've flubbed on personnel moves and re-signings in the past, I just don't see it ending well (Felton, Cunningham, etc.)...

And oh yeah, I forgot one very important observation to add in the OP:

I HATE BORIS DIAW. Despite his contract expiring at the end of the year, this dude should've been amnestied, lol... i can't stand his fluffy fat ass.

[Deadshot]

I like both Mullens and White, and believe them to be solid players (and I'm a Hoosiers fan, so I saw plenty of White in college), but you hit the nail on the head regarding their status in OKC. It was worth it for them to take a bigger, less athletic big man in Nazr to compliment the pieces they already had there.

With that being said, eventually bigs are going to start guarding Mullens 20 ft from the basket. And I'm not so sure he can put the ball on the floor well enough to get to the basket unhindered (hopefully he can make the necessary pass). With the way his shot has been falling, he seems to be even more confident and has started shooting more turnarounds which have never ended well. Stick with what works.

As Smack continues to develop, I am interested to see what the combo with an athletic 4 like White would do. Really can't try this with Diop because he's such an immobile stiff.

[Demon DeaCat]

I agree with much of what was said in the initial post. Hendo = good, productive starter, but probably not an all-star.

I think it's still a little early to write off TT. He put up good numbers pre-injury last year coming off the bench. We've still yet to see what a healthy, totally in shape TT can do fur us with starters minutes. The fact that he's been hurt so much is in itself a concern, but I haven't given up on him yet. At the very least, I'm willing to give him more than 2 games.

Agree on Mullens and DJW. Solid guys that are worth keeping.

On the whole, I've been pleased with what I've seen on the court this year. We've amassed a solid core of young, talented, complimentary pieces (DJ, Hendo, TT, Kemba, Mullens, DJW) but it always comes back to what we all know the problem to be. We lack the star to make it all work.

Once last thought on Cunningham, I certainly got the impression that we were interested in keeping him, just not interested enough to match the Grizz's offer, which I agree with. You don't overpay role players. We learned that the hard way when we gave Carroll that ridiculous contract. We're still paying for that mistake. I liked Dante, but he wasn't worth what it would have cost us to keep him.

[Marvel]

Hendo will be alright

DJ will be alright

Mullens a work in progress

Smack a work in progress

Diaw can F off

Happy with letting Dante walk, Reggie will come in and provide everything and more

Gana - what are you gonna do

Carroll - DLeague

UPS - he plays hard, more than what i can say about Diaw

[Chef]

With that being said, eventually bigs are going to start guarding Mullens 20 ft from the basket. And I'm not so sure he can put the ball on the floor well enough to get to the basket unhindered (hopefully he can make the necessary pass). With the way his shot has been falling, he seems to be even more confident and has started shooting more turnarounds which have never ended well. Stick with what works.


he put the ball on the deck a few times last night. one off a reverse pivot from the mid post on hibbert and blew right by him.

the bigger issue, if his man has to follow him out to 20 ft that is one less big and one less body in the paint to better allow dj, kemba and hendo to get to the rack. it is exactly what has allowed dj's dribble drive to be so much more effective. that and no jax just standing around. it is exactly what we need and haven't had ever. between our 4 and 5 for the last 6 years we have just allowed defenses to pack it in making it even harder for us to score.

[Deadshot]

he put the ball on the deck a few times last night. one off a reverse pivot from the mid post on hibbert and blew right by him.



Yeah Indy was not rotating at all in the post in the first half last night. Pretty frustrating.

[DY_nasty]

I've always hated Brown, but this is by far his best season and his game has improved across the board.

[dav7z]

Okay we've seen Hendo as a starter (including last year) for awhile now and TT came back last night, although he may still be rusty from injury...

Hendo has become a much improved shooter, but from my observations, he seems to lack the consistency or "killer instinct" of a true go-to scorer. This isn't a bad thing, but it means that he isn't the "superstar" go-to guy MJ said he might be.

Yes, we're still working with a small sample size, but even at this point, I think we've seen enough to know he's a good-great complimentary player. Is he a starter? I think so, but he's just better served playing off of more consistent guys. He's an outstanding defender, but he's just not consistent offensively. I love his game, but it just seems he is too content with deferring to often. We shouldn't see 25 pts one night and then 8 the next. What do you think?

*Next point, Tyrus... I know he's coming off an injury, but the more I see, the less I believe. I love his game as well, but he just doesn't seem to have "it." There's a point when potential becomes wasted talent and time, and we may be entering that threshold.

*Next point... I think it's possible we do have a go-to scorer, possibly two of them, but our team is poorly constructed and thus we have a problem in allowing either embrace that role. Why you ask? Because these two players are of similar build and play the same position... You got it! DJ and Kemba. IMO, these guys are our two best players (and most consistent scorers), but they play the same position. Furthermore, Silas' talk of playing them together hasn't happened all that often, mainly because it's extremely hard to play defense with two 6-foot guys out there at the same time.

So what do we do? In my mind, DJ and Kemba are our best players and biggest assets, and I don't want to lose DJ because I don't think we'll get back fair value if our FO looks to trade him. I wish we could re-sign him long-term, but again this is an unenviable position to be in because it just seems he and Kemba can't assert themselves as "the man" with the other guy here at the same position. Someone loses with both of them here, but I don't want to lose either... ARRRRRGGGGGH!!!

*I've come to the realization that UPS is indeed best suited as a poetry reading bench rider with occasional appearances of the 10 minute variety. As a starter? Yuck. He just seems lost out there.

*DJ White and Byron Mullens ARE PLAYERS. I said many times since last year that all DJW needed was minutes. I watched him several times in college and knew his skills would translate really well to the NBA so I didn't understand why OKC considered him a throw-away. Guess it just shows they are that deep to let go of DJW and Mullens for scraps. Both guys can ball and should continue seeing increasing minutes and I would love to see them as core rotational guys going forward.

*This team is built for dark ages results, and by dark ages I mean FHB ages.

Thoughts?
Good post , I agree with most everthing you said. I just wanted to touch on TT , Salis beanched him last night in favor of White and Mullens . To me for his size hes just way to soft close to the basket. He all so got blocked twice trying to force long jumpers . He needs the ball in his hands to much and doesn't have a good handle. The more i see the less i like . I feel better with White or Mullens getting that burn . Am i judgeing him to quickly?