Apparently "Playoff Rondo" isn't a thing anymore - at least not with the Clippers. I don't think he's gotten off the bench for the last 3, maybe 4 games. Ever since he got into Kawhi's face about some play in the last series, he seems to have been in the Clip doghouse.
Finally got a chance to watch the Suns-Clippers game. Just a lot of solid, rangy dudes on both teams with reliable offense (with Morris and Crowder giving a really good showing as X-factors).
Hope JTA can continue to do everything he does for us. As for the previous thread on Davion Mitchell vs. Jaden Springer... have to go with the length. To be 6'1" defender you essentially have to be Patrick Beverly to stay in the league (and that's controversial), or have otherworldly offensive gifts.
As he should. Dude's a no talent clown who's made a career out of deliberately trying to injure opponents, and psyching them out because they know he's dirty. He's an embarrassment to the league and has been for years.
Kind of feeling Brandon Crawford as a JTA comp. Local kid that wasn’t a huge prospect, known for his defense, but turns out to be able to give you more on the biggest stage. Obv BCraw is in the midst of a monster season. Honestly, I feel like JTA might have one of those in him at some point.
I loved watching JTA play with his infectious energy this year. His scoring was so unexpectedly good in every way(corner threes, finishing at the rim, clutch, game on-the line shots). I know that he’s down a peg on the depth chart to Wiggins and Dray, but if that shooting is who he is going forward, that’s a starting quality player I’d have to think. This next season should really tell the tale, but already what a find!
All good points, but I also think JTA’s highest and best use right now is off the bench/spot starter for a few reasons:
1. His Igoudala-like ability to enter a game and bring whatever the team needs, whether it’s energy, defensive, rebounding, facilitating etc.
2. His ability to play essentially 1 thru smallball 5 means he can sub in for anyone at any time, be it poor play, foul trouble injury etc. Kerr has to love having that arrow in the quiver.
3. After Dray and Steph, JTA is probably the best at facilitating within the Warriors’ system (with Poole emerging). That skill is most valuable when Steph/Dray are off the floor.
I think JTA and Poole will (and should) lead the team in bench minutes and I think both can (and should) spot start. I also think they’ll both see time in closing lineups, but JTA off the bench is just so perfect.
For sure that’s his role going into next season. But my point is if he can also actually shoot at anywhere near the clip he did this last season, he’s got to be a candidate to progress past the “nifty-Swiss-army-knife”, right?
Iguodala settled into the bench when it was clear that he was excellent at everything but scoring the ball efficiently. If JTA can actually do that scoring, along with his other peripheral excellence, why can’t he back his way into a bigger presence (larger contracts ahead of him notwithstanding)? Is peak PJ Tucker better really?
I am shocked, but happy. That still image of the max bend made me think there was no way in hell something didn't break inside. That's still one hell of a hyperextension though, gotta be hard to come back and play basketball tomorrow
As I said right when I saw it, to me it looked way worse than Wiseman’s (and probably even Klay’s) knee injury. Happy for Giannis, The Bucks and their fans. (And a little sad for James and Klay.)
Jun 30, 2021Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
JTA needs to continue working on his three ball, need him shooting it at more volume next season. Honestly if he's shooting 40% again next season, he's probably not shooting enough (or he's one of the very best deals in the league).
If he’s shooting 40% on 4 3PA/game, I expect Steph and Dray in his ear and feeding him shots all game till he takes more. Prob Dray would pick up another tech yelling at a teammate if he doesn’t pick it up, lol.
OT: Hollinger from the Athletic just suggested "if Dame wants out" the Warriors could offer Wiggins, Wiseman, 7, 14, Poole, Paschall and two future firsts for Dame and Nurkic.
I'm generally the first to poo-poo "trade for star" ideas as unrealistic. But if Dame asks out...that's somewhat realistic. The tie to Bay makes sense, our sense of urgency makes sense, and we might be offering the best "start over" package.
Starting 5 of Steph, Dame, Klay, Dray and Nurkic? Small backcourt, but that's a pretty stout defensive frontcourt. That makes a lot of sense to me!
Small ball 5 of Steph, Dame, Klay, JTA and Dray? Boy does that make sense.
Guards: Dame, Steph (Mulder, GP2?)
Wings: Klay, JTA, Lee
Bigs: Dray, Nurkic, Looney
You've got some work to do to build out the wing/forward group but JTA and Lee are just the types of high IQ dirty work hustlers you'd want. It's not a roster that it's in real dire need of anything in particular other than just some vet minimum guys who can play (Wes Matthews, Jeff Green, Paul Millsap, PJ Tucker, Mo Harkless, Patrick Patterson)
Theoretically you could even re-sign Oubre, but that would just be an enormous tax bill.
Even without Oubre, it would cost ungodly sums of money moving forward and really pushes EVERYTHING into win-now. There's a good 3-5 year plan, but not much beyond that.
Dame AND Nurkic? I do this trade in a heartbeat. I would drive the #7 and #14 ping pong balls (that's how picks are traded right? physically exchange the ping pong balls?) to the airport myself. But I would fly the players to Portland first class because we are a respectful organization.
holy cow that's a ton of assets, with only an 8-person core roster, and very limited ability to add to it... If possible I'd prefer to keep maybe 2 of those assets, perhaps a combination of Poole and one of the future firsts (I'm guessing Portland will value the 7 & 14 more highly than the future firsts).
The price is way too high. With Klay back and, hopefully, an improved Wiseman (at least slotted in the JaVale role), along with a developing Poole and possibly a ring-chasing vet willing to sign for the MLE, the Dubs can possibly put together a contender for 21-22 without mortgaging the future. And who knows about who we get at #7 and #14; they could also contribute along with key reserves Looney, JTA, Lee (and maybe Chriss). Otherwise, once Steph, Klay, and Dray hang it up, we're gonna suck royally until we develop a "process" to get back into contention. Hanging on to what we got gives us a chance to continue to build for the future while possibly contending at the present.
I hate to say it, but I think I’ve come around a bit and could support that trade, much as I love Wiseman, Wiggins and Poole. Teams couldn’t double and triple team Steph anymore. Might be whack, but certainly makes me go hmmmm.
Yeah, me too. Steph and Dame as your backcourt is just small and I was skeptical how it would fit. Strangely the addition of Nurkic made me see it a lot better. You're getting a really good C in there too.
What's funny is the proof of concept isn't really the Dubs...it's the Blazers. It would be like a super-charged version of recent Blazers teams. Nurk was great at C for them. Small backcourt? Dame and CJ worked out OK. Except now CJ is Steph Curry. Gary Trent and Norm Powell were difference makers as 3 and D wings...except now they're Klay Thompson.
And of course the coux de gracie is Draymond. That team always needed a Draymond to really unlock it, but obviously could never get him or anyone like him.
For me, I've always dreamed about Dame being in the bay, but never could see a path that made any sense. *Maybe* this does. Still not sure. I don't understand how I can care about Wiggins, Wiseman and Poole so much considering their short tenure as Warriors so far, but I am like that as a fan.
Me too, especially when it’s players we develop (like Poole and Wiseman) or blossom here after struggling elsewhere (like Wiggins, Chriss, Javale). They feel like “our guys”. Even more so when they seem like likable.
It would hinge on POR wanting to reset, which looks less and less likely to me... hard to imagine them hiring Billups specifically to coach a rebuild. Also, the Dame rumors seem to be dying down. My general sense is that they think Billups, along with some tweaks via FA, can help them improve their defense and get them to the next level.
If I had to guess, CJ and/or Nurkic would be the big names moved.
For the most part I agree with you, but if Dame were to truly force his way out, few teams could beat that package. The fact that he's from the Bay Area makes it seem more realistic, even if it's just wishful thinking.
Dame forcing his way out most likely signals a rebuild. Just like it did for Harden and the Rockets. Just like it did for Anthony Davis and New Orleans.
They could trade Dame for Simmons and a bunch of stuff. Then you have Simmons, CJ, maybe re-sign Powell. That fits. They could stay in the playoff hunt, but they're not getting closer to a championship.
IF Dame forced his way out and wanted to come here the Warriors would have a real chance.
Although after watching the Steph + Dame All-Star team I am 100% here for watching every game of a Steph, Dame, Klay, Green, Looney, Poole + vets team.
Apparently "Playoff Rondo" isn't a thing anymore - at least not with the Clippers. I don't think he's gotten off the bench for the last 3, maybe 4 games. Ever since he got into Kawhi's face about some play in the last series, he seems to have been in the Clip doghouse.
It's more like Layoff Rondo now.
Or Day off Rondo
ZING!
Congratulations to Chris Paul and the Suns. At the same time, f*ck Chris Paul.
Haha perfectly said!
Yay the Suns beat the Clipp- *fart noises*
Finally got a chance to watch the Suns-Clippers game. Just a lot of solid, rangy dudes on both teams with reliable offense (with Morris and Crowder giving a really good showing as X-factors).
Hope JTA can continue to do everything he does for us. As for the previous thread on Davion Mitchell vs. Jaden Springer... have to go with the length. To be 6'1" defender you essentially have to be Patrick Beverly to stay in the league (and that's controversial), or have otherworldly offensive gifts.
I love Beverly a lot more now
I'm glad Beverly is not on our team.
Apparently him and Steph are pretty good friends
I mean, you knew the Clippers weren't going to go down with dignity.
Pat Bev just pushed the NBPA president. He gonna get declared excomunicado.
As he should. Dude's a no talent clown who's made a career out of deliberately trying to injure opponents, and psyching them out because they know he's dirty. He's an embarrassment to the league and has been for years.
He should see a suspension, that was a cheap shot if ever there was one.
Yeah and the way CP3's head kind of snapped back a little from whiplash- that actually seemed kind of dangerous.
Clippers look done. Chris Paul is on one tonight!
Suns-Hawks would be fun, two young teams
Kind of feeling Brandon Crawford as a JTA comp. Local kid that wasn’t a huge prospect, known for his defense, but turns out to be able to give you more on the biggest stage. Obv BCraw is in the midst of a monster season. Honestly, I feel like JTA might have one of those in him at some point.
As Krukow would say, “I’m in!”
Beverly, in his 4th season with the team, is the Clippers’ longest-tenured player. 😯
wow
I loved watching JTA play with his infectious energy this year. His scoring was so unexpectedly good in every way(corner threes, finishing at the rim, clutch, game on-the line shots). I know that he’s down a peg on the depth chart to Wiggins and Dray, but if that shooting is who he is going forward, that’s a starting quality player I’d have to think. This next season should really tell the tale, but already what a find!
All good points, but I also think JTA’s highest and best use right now is off the bench/spot starter for a few reasons:
1. His Igoudala-like ability to enter a game and bring whatever the team needs, whether it’s energy, defensive, rebounding, facilitating etc.
2. His ability to play essentially 1 thru smallball 5 means he can sub in for anyone at any time, be it poor play, foul trouble injury etc. Kerr has to love having that arrow in the quiver.
3. After Dray and Steph, JTA is probably the best at facilitating within the Warriors’ system (with Poole emerging). That skill is most valuable when Steph/Dray are off the floor.
I think JTA and Poole will (and should) lead the team in bench minutes and I think both can (and should) spot start. I also think they’ll both see time in closing lineups, but JTA off the bench is just so perfect.
For sure that’s his role going into next season. But my point is if he can also actually shoot at anywhere near the clip he did this last season, he’s got to be a candidate to progress past the “nifty-Swiss-army-knife”, right?
Iguodala settled into the bench when it was clear that he was excellent at everything but scoring the ball efficiently. If JTA can actually do that scoring, along with his other peripheral excellence, why can’t he back his way into a bigger presence (larger contracts ahead of him notwithstanding)? Is peak PJ Tucker better really?
Wow no structural damage in Giannis' knee
I am shocked, but happy. That still image of the max bend made me think there was no way in hell something didn't break inside. That's still one hell of a hyperextension though, gotta be hard to come back and play basketball tomorrow
"Ligament damage? There are supposed to be ligaments on this MRI? What are you even talking about?" - Doctor A
"I concur" - Leonardo DiCaprio
"It's settled, no structural damage" - Bucks training staff
As I said right when I saw it, to me it looked way worse than Wiseman’s (and probably even Klay’s) knee injury. Happy for Giannis, The Bucks and their fans. (And a little sad for James and Klay.)
He’s probably done for this playoffs even if they beat ATL. Still, not missing all of 2021-2022 is huge.
JTA needs to continue working on his three ball, need him shooting it at more volume next season. Honestly if he's shooting 40% again next season, he's probably not shooting enough (or he's one of the very best deals in the league).
If he’s shooting 40% on 4 3PA/game, I expect Steph and Dray in his ear and feeding him shots all game till he takes more. Prob Dray would pick up another tech yelling at a teammate if he doesn’t pick it up, lol.
OT: Hollinger from the Athletic just suggested "if Dame wants out" the Warriors could offer Wiggins, Wiseman, 7, 14, Poole, Paschall and two future firsts for Dame and Nurkic.
I'm generally the first to poo-poo "trade for star" ideas as unrealistic. But if Dame asks out...that's somewhat realistic. The tie to Bay makes sense, our sense of urgency makes sense, and we might be offering the best "start over" package.
Starting 5 of Steph, Dame, Klay, Dray and Nurkic? Small backcourt, but that's a pretty stout defensive frontcourt. That makes a lot of sense to me!
Small ball 5 of Steph, Dame, Klay, JTA and Dray? Boy does that make sense.
Guards: Dame, Steph (Mulder, GP2?)
Wings: Klay, JTA, Lee
Bigs: Dray, Nurkic, Looney
You've got some work to do to build out the wing/forward group but JTA and Lee are just the types of high IQ dirty work hustlers you'd want. It's not a roster that it's in real dire need of anything in particular other than just some vet minimum guys who can play (Wes Matthews, Jeff Green, Paul Millsap, PJ Tucker, Mo Harkless, Patrick Patterson)
Theoretically you could even re-sign Oubre, but that would just be an enormous tax bill.
Even without Oubre, it would cost ungodly sums of money moving forward and really pushes EVERYTHING into win-now. There's a good 3-5 year plan, but not much beyond that.
Dame AND Nurkic? I do this trade in a heartbeat. I would drive the #7 and #14 ping pong balls (that's how picks are traded right? physically exchange the ping pong balls?) to the airport myself. But I would fly the players to Portland first class because we are a respectful organization.
holy cow that's a ton of assets, with only an 8-person core roster, and very limited ability to add to it... If possible I'd prefer to keep maybe 2 of those assets, perhaps a combination of Poole and one of the future firsts (I'm guessing Portland will value the 7 & 14 more highly than the future firsts).
The price is way too high. With Klay back and, hopefully, an improved Wiseman (at least slotted in the JaVale role), along with a developing Poole and possibly a ring-chasing vet willing to sign for the MLE, the Dubs can possibly put together a contender for 21-22 without mortgaging the future. And who knows about who we get at #7 and #14; they could also contribute along with key reserves Looney, JTA, Lee (and maybe Chriss). Otherwise, once Steph, Klay, and Dray hang it up, we're gonna suck royally until we develop a "process" to get back into contention. Hanging on to what we got gives us a chance to continue to build for the future while possibly contending at the present.
This is definitely my dominant train of thought.
I hate to say it, but I think I’ve come around a bit and could support that trade, much as I love Wiseman, Wiggins and Poole. Teams couldn’t double and triple team Steph anymore. Might be whack, but certainly makes me go hmmmm.
I'm in (+ Justinian Jessup).
Teams couldn't double and triple team Dame any more, either.
Yeah, me too. Steph and Dame as your backcourt is just small and I was skeptical how it would fit. Strangely the addition of Nurkic made me see it a lot better. You're getting a really good C in there too.
What's funny is the proof of concept isn't really the Dubs...it's the Blazers. It would be like a super-charged version of recent Blazers teams. Nurk was great at C for them. Small backcourt? Dame and CJ worked out OK. Except now CJ is Steph Curry. Gary Trent and Norm Powell were difference makers as 3 and D wings...except now they're Klay Thompson.
And of course the coux de gracie is Draymond. That team always needed a Draymond to really unlock it, but obviously could never get him or anyone like him.
Why would the Blazers do that? Just for a 7 and 14? Because the rest of that makes no sense for them.
If Dame asks out, what do you think makes more sense for them?
For me, I've always dreamed about Dame being in the bay, but never could see a path that made any sense. *Maybe* this does. Still not sure. I don't understand how I can care about Wiggins, Wiseman and Poole so much considering their short tenure as Warriors so far, but I am like that as a fan.
Me too, especially when it’s players we develop (like Poole and Wiseman) or blossom here after struggling elsewhere (like Wiggins, Chriss, Javale). They feel like “our guys”. Even more so when they seem like likable.
Nobody beating that lineup if healthy
It would hinge on POR wanting to reset, which looks less and less likely to me... hard to imagine them hiring Billups specifically to coach a rebuild. Also, the Dame rumors seem to be dying down. My general sense is that they think Billups, along with some tweaks via FA, can help them improve their defense and get them to the next level.
If I had to guess, CJ and/or Nurkic would be the big names moved.
For the most part I agree with you, but if Dame were to truly force his way out, few teams could beat that package. The fact that he's from the Bay Area makes it seem more realistic, even if it's just wishful thinking.
Dame forcing his way out most likely signals a rebuild. Just like it did for Harden and the Rockets. Just like it did for Anthony Davis and New Orleans.
They could trade Dame for Simmons and a bunch of stuff. Then you have Simmons, CJ, maybe re-sign Powell. That fits. They could stay in the playoff hunt, but they're not getting closer to a championship.
IF Dame forced his way out and wanted to come here the Warriors would have a real chance.
Iguodala and JTA! Let’s do it:
Curry, Poole; Klay, Baze; Wiggins, JTA, Iguodala; Green, Looney, Wiseman; + 2 awesome Rooks = 12 deep!
Although after watching the Steph + Dame All-Star team I am 100% here for watching every game of a Steph, Dame, Klay, Green, Looney, Poole + vets team.