Dario Šarić and Chris Paul connected a ton during their Phoenix days together. Larger breakdown in just posted article. But here are a few clips. Pick-and-pop, patient pick-and-roll, transition synergy. I'm told Paul was a vocal fan of the Šarić pickup.
Please for the love of God Presti, cut Garuba so we can sign him
Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
The Atlanta Hawks are trading TyTy Washington, Usman Garuba, Rudy Gay and a second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Patty Mills, sources tell ESPN. Hawks save $4.5M in the deal.
I just went to a practice for Süper Ligi (Turkish Basketball League) team since a friend of mine knows an assistant coach for them and it was eye opening as fuck.
They were running a constant 2-2-1 full court press whenever they lost possession/scored with the reasoning behind it being they wanted to minimize the amount of time the opposing offense had within a potential scoring position. Once they were in the scoring position (past half court in deep three range), they would transform into a man defense which emphasized denying the middle and forcing the ball to cycle to the sidelines.
The second the ball moves to the sideline, their defense would transform into zone where they emphasized shifting toward the ball and using the sideline as an extra defender while leaving the man on the far corner open. This hamstrings opposing offenses because the entire defense is shaded to one side AND the sideline limits your space to operate. If the offense is able to hit the skip pass, the defense has preset rotations which minimize scrambling.
On offense, they are similarly exceptionally weird with very little dribbling involved and instead a constant flow of off-ball movement (with tons of cuts/flashes/screens/scissor actions) and passing.
( The Bellarmine Knights have a very similar offensive philosophy.
I'd love to hear about the challenges in adopting different schemes/ strategies around the world. Like I'd guess this works for Süper Ligi but you'd need to change it up for the NBA given how much faster/ bouncier everyone is
"[Charania] The Phoenix Suns are frontrunners to sign free agent Bol Bol, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Rival teams are expecting Bol to sign in near future with the Suns, who have deepened their roster this offseason."
Huge signing. I’d take Saric and his fit on the Dubs over anyone the Suns or Lakers added. He can be a difference maker. I’m really excited and optimistic we’re gonna see a big jump for Kuminga playing in various lineups with Saric and CP3.
Personally CP3, Klay, Moses, Kuminga and Saric is my favorite core bench unit. Klays spacing will make a huge difference. That lineup could be surgical.
Would be a home run to double down and add Jay Huff on a two-way deal. Otherwise they can go almost any direction with the final roster spot because Lester and GUI sure look like two great fits on the other two way deals.
They’re actually in a spot where the first 13 are so solid and playable, with two ways behind them that you could sign a big C almost purely for Jokic matchups. I don’t think Hernangomez would go for that, but he’d be amazing. Quick look at wings and Svi Mykhauliuk would be a good fit as another shooter off the bench.
I think that bench lineup makes a lot of sense, and it highlights Kerr’s point about the value of rebounding and how that gets Kuminga into lineups.
Kuminga would get to play with a HOF playmaker, a HOF shooter, a solid stretch big with good playmaking skills, and a burgeoning two way wing. It’s a great compliment of players who open up the spaces on the floor for him to dominate offensively. He can be outstanding. BUT, that lineup could struggle on the boards. Saric isn’t a great rebounder, plus an old backcourt. Kuminga and Moody both need to rebound. To earn his right to flourish offensively with that crew he has to do some dirty work.
Otherwise if he’s not rebounding, he could lose minutes in a lineup like that to TJD. Who’d add rebounding, rim protection, and better passing. Just wouldn’t have the same ceiling offensively
I kind of like how it puts the onus on Kuminga and Moody to rebound. There are a lot of rewards for them built in to this lineup, but if they don't do this one thing, it may be for naught. That seems like a good learning experience.
Kerr said that Kuminga needs to work on his rebounding as a primary off-season goal. My guess is JK is taking that seriously, so we have reason to expect improvement. He has the physical tools.
A couple of more thoughts about the Saric signing:
*He's the right side of 30. He joins GPII, Loon, Wiggs, Joseph as the players in their prime. He also gives it balance. 4 old farts, 4 youngsters, 5 prime. And yes I know Joseph might be straddling the prime and old fart line.
* Man, Suns games will have drama. Steph vs KD, (in Klay's mind) Klay vs Booker, CP3/Saric getting revenge, Gordon choosing PHX over GS
*Saric is probably the last nail in the coffin for a Lamb return. He does all the things Lamb did well (shoot a little as a big, passing, cutting at the right times). Good riddance.
*Based on lineup data, Saric is better as a 5 not a 4. Given his complete inability to shoot, TJD is likely a strict 5 too. There is no 7 footer in the roster, but I wouldn't use the 14th spot on one, as we now have 3 strict 5s and our best center might still be when Dray is on. For the 3rd two way, sure.
*If Saric is a 5, we only have 2 4s in JK and Dray. I would target a 4 with the last spot. That's why Gallo seems so perfect to me. Now, if Washington does buy him out, we almost have to thank them for their timing. Can't sign with LA or PHX if they've used all their roster spots.
The great thing about Saric is he can play with any of Looney, Dray, TJD or Kuminga and all those guys compliment him as well. He boosts both the 4 and 5 spots. Moody and Wiggins can also play some small ball 4.
Signing Gallo would be great because he’d be an additional guy that can unlock lineups in that way if Saric gets hurt, but I doubt Gallo would want to come here w Saric in place. The selling point to Saric was about playing time and a perfect fit to score a sizable next contract.
Rudy Gay was just traded to the Thunder, I imagine he gets waived, if he doesn't get rerouted before then. But he might be a solid pickup for the 14th spot.
Gallo would be a great get but my one concern is that this may push JK out of the rotation. If we go in this direction, am hoping it’s bc they’re comfortable JK can play more 3.
New article up with instant scouting and key comments from here, with fresh new space for more Saric ranting.
Please move everyone along that way.
https://dubnationhq.com/p/dario-saric-instant-scouting-report?sd=pf
Anyone for bringing back Javale Energizer for a second unit rim-protector, as/when needed.....
"The Dallas Mavericks are expected to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. this summer, according to Marc Stein of Substack.
The team is also expected to either trade or release JaVale McGee.
Theo Pinson is also not expected to return to the team next season."
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/272422/Mavs-Expected-To-Trade-Tim-Hardaway-Jr-This-Offseason
Dario Šarić
Pronunciation: \DAH-ree-oh SHAH-ritch\
Dario Šarić and Chris Paul connected a ton during their Phoenix days together. Larger breakdown in just posted article. But here are a few clips. Pick-and-pop, patient pick-and-roll, transition synergy. I'm told Paul was a vocal fan of the Šarić pickup.
https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1677736648237543424
Someone on r/warriors did a rough sketch of the Warriors 2nd unit.
https://old.reddit.com/r/warriors/comments/14ufg11/my_rough_fan_artwork_for_our_potential_second/
Moody looks like he's about to go fruit ninja on that melon
Can't tell who the wolverine is.
That's GP2.
Most pressing remaining question: is it pronounced “sa-rich” or “sha-rich”?
I think it’s ”sharich”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Serbo-Croatian
This is correct. The best guide is https://nbakankei.blogspot.com/p/nba-pronunciation-guide.html which has players pronouncing their own names.
https://youtu.be/mVDpse_UZmg I don't know if it's accurate but he just keeps saying it.
No wonder he thought he was worth more, given the shortage.
What shortage? There are cases of the stuff stacked up at my local grocery tagged with sale prices.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/29/business/sriracha-shortage-resell-prices/index.html
Kings waive PJ Dozier.
https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-waive-to-pj-dozier
[and yes, the link is correct *waves to PJ*]
always liked him as a player if he could stay healthy, not sure he’s really what the roster needs but wouldn’t hate him as a Celebrini project
YES! We've got Saric! We've got Saric! We've got Saric! We've got Saric! We've got Saric!
Nah nah na nah na na
Please for the love of God Presti, cut Garuba so we can sign him
Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
The Atlanta Hawks are trading TyTy Washington, Usman Garuba, Rudy Gay and a second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Patty Mills, sources tell ESPN. Hawks save $4.5M in the deal.
can he interest you in a Rudy Gay instead?
https://cjones.iihr.uiowa.edu/sites/cjones.iihr.uiowa.edu/files/styles/large/public/2021-12/drake8.JPG?itok=YqllCDai
lmao why is this hosted by the University of Iowa website?
Would love it, but he has a 7-2+ wingspan, so he's definitely a Presti player.
I just went to a practice for Süper Ligi (Turkish Basketball League) team since a friend of mine knows an assistant coach for them and it was eye opening as fuck.
They were running a constant 2-2-1 full court press whenever they lost possession/scored with the reasoning behind it being they wanted to minimize the amount of time the opposing offense had within a potential scoring position. Once they were in the scoring position (past half court in deep three range), they would transform into a man defense which emphasized denying the middle and forcing the ball to cycle to the sidelines.
The second the ball moves to the sideline, their defense would transform into zone where they emphasized shifting toward the ball and using the sideline as an extra defender while leaving the man on the far corner open. This hamstrings opposing offenses because the entire defense is shaded to one side AND the sideline limits your space to operate. If the offense is able to hit the skip pass, the defense has preset rotations which minimize scrambling.
On offense, they are similarly exceptionally weird with very little dribbling involved and instead a constant flow of off-ball movement (with tons of cuts/flashes/screens/scissor actions) and passing.
( The Bellarmine Knights have a very similar offensive philosophy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2T4bJh165g)
It was an exceptionally weird but eye opening experience, its fantastic to see how creative leagues around the world can get.
I'd love to hear about the challenges in adopting different schemes/ strategies around the world. Like I'd guess this works for Süper Ligi but you'd need to change it up for the NBA given how much faster/ bouncier everyone is
You visiting there?
So we take Saric, Suns take Bol, we take Biyombo?
Yeah both Congolese, but JK is so young he was born in DR Congo, but Biyombo was born in Zaire.
"[Charania] The Phoenix Suns are frontrunners to sign free agent Bol Bol, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Rival teams are expecting Bol to sign in near future with the Suns, who have deepened their roster this offseason."
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1677760616101212160
Be fun to watch a 1:1 game with KD vs Bol
If you enjoy watching a wolf dismember a sheep, yeah, maybe so.
That’s a shame
Sweet, we got the guy everyone wanted! Just took a little bit of patience, something in short supply these days.
Huge signing. I’d take Saric and his fit on the Dubs over anyone the Suns or Lakers added. He can be a difference maker. I’m really excited and optimistic we’re gonna see a big jump for Kuminga playing in various lineups with Saric and CP3.
Personally CP3, Klay, Moses, Kuminga and Saric is my favorite core bench unit. Klays spacing will make a huge difference. That lineup could be surgical.
Would be a home run to double down and add Jay Huff on a two-way deal. Otherwise they can go almost any direction with the final roster spot because Lester and GUI sure look like two great fits on the other two way deals.
They’re actually in a spot where the first 13 are so solid and playable, with two ways behind them that you could sign a big C almost purely for Jokic matchups. I don’t think Hernangomez would go for that, but he’d be amazing. Quick look at wings and Svi Mykhauliuk would be a good fit as another shooter off the bench.
There are contractual complications in signing santos in a 2 way
What are the complications?
I think that bench lineup makes a lot of sense, and it highlights Kerr’s point about the value of rebounding and how that gets Kuminga into lineups.
Kuminga would get to play with a HOF playmaker, a HOF shooter, a solid stretch big with good playmaking skills, and a burgeoning two way wing. It’s a great compliment of players who open up the spaces on the floor for him to dominate offensively. He can be outstanding. BUT, that lineup could struggle on the boards. Saric isn’t a great rebounder, plus an old backcourt. Kuminga and Moody both need to rebound. To earn his right to flourish offensively with that crew he has to do some dirty work.
Otherwise if he’s not rebounding, he could lose minutes in a lineup like that to TJD. Who’d add rebounding, rim protection, and better passing. Just wouldn’t have the same ceiling offensively
>...that you could sign a big C almost purely for Jokic matchups
What big left on the board could even slow down Jokic let alone defend him nearly as well as Dray, or even 1/3 as much as Dray?
Dwight Howard maybe? Worked somewhat in the bubble.
Or podz instead of Klay for his a to shoot and amazing rebounding. Or Wiggins
That’s true. He’s got a good skillset fit. I just don’t think he’s going to be ready to play as a regular rotation guy this year.
Probably you are mostly right- barring surprise or injury
I kind of like how it puts the onus on Kuminga and Moody to rebound. There are a lot of rewards for them built in to this lineup, but if they don't do this one thing, it may be for naught. That seems like a good learning experience.
Yep. It’s simple and straightforward. If he rebounds he will get to play a lot and likely thrive.
Honestly if he rebounds he will likely get chances to be part of the closing lineup with Curry, Klay, Wiggins and Dray.s
get the young man some time with Coach Decky!
Kerr said that Kuminga needs to work on his rebounding as a primary off-season goal. My guess is JK is taking that seriously, so we have reason to expect improvement. He has the physical tools.
He said it was his plan
A couple of more thoughts about the Saric signing:
*He's the right side of 30. He joins GPII, Loon, Wiggs, Joseph as the players in their prime. He also gives it balance. 4 old farts, 4 youngsters, 5 prime. And yes I know Joseph might be straddling the prime and old fart line.
* Man, Suns games will have drama. Steph vs KD, (in Klay's mind) Klay vs Booker, CP3/Saric getting revenge, Gordon choosing PHX over GS
*Saric is probably the last nail in the coffin for a Lamb return. He does all the things Lamb did well (shoot a little as a big, passing, cutting at the right times). Good riddance.
*Based on lineup data, Saric is better as a 5 not a 4. Given his complete inability to shoot, TJD is likely a strict 5 too. There is no 7 footer in the roster, but I wouldn't use the 14th spot on one, as we now have 3 strict 5s and our best center might still be when Dray is on. For the 3rd two way, sure.
*If Saric is a 5, we only have 2 4s in JK and Dray. I would target a 4 with the last spot. That's why Gallo seems so perfect to me. Now, if Washington does buy him out, we almost have to thank them for their timing. Can't sign with LA or PHX if they've used all their roster spots.
wiggins playedPF plenty of minutes before..
The great thing about Saric is he can play with any of Looney, Dray, TJD or Kuminga and all those guys compliment him as well. He boosts both the 4 and 5 spots. Moody and Wiggins can also play some small ball 4.
Signing Gallo would be great because he’d be an additional guy that can unlock lineups in that way if Saric gets hurt, but I doubt Gallo would want to come here w Saric in place. The selling point to Saric was about playing time and a perfect fit to score a sizable next contract.
Rudy Gay was just traded to the Thunder, I imagine he gets waived, if he doesn't get rerouted before then. But he might be a solid pickup for the 14th spot.
Pass for me. I'd rather have JTA.
He might be washed-washed. TS% < .500 last year. And he never really was a passer. He can still rebound, but that's about it.
I would actually love that.
Gallo would be a great get but my one concern is that this may push JK out of the rotation. If we go in this direction, am hoping it’s bc they’re comfortable JK can play more 3.