The Backcourt Churn: Cavs Guards in 2021-22
2022-04-21Is it too early to retrace the 2021-22 season from the standpoint of the backcourt? The following post doesn’t dwell on lineups, guard combos, defensive chops (other than Okoro’s), or specific performances, since there should be plenty of time downstream for all that. And it barely gets into the enigma of Caris LeVert. But in spite of those gaps, let’s run it back anyway. It was a fascinating, wild, frustrating, gorgeous, community-affirming, ligament-wrenching and furious season to be a Cavs fan, and the backcourt played a big part in making it all that.
Less than a year has passed since Cavs front office leader Koby Altman made one of his greatest decisions, signing point guard Ricky Rubio. As the 2021-22 season began, the Cavs’ point guard depth chart looked not only stable but promising. The Cavs had Darius Garland as their starter, with Rubio as the potential starter and the orchestrator of a retooled second unit with his old running mate Kevin Love. At the start of his press conference, Altman brought listeners back to the beginning of the season with some especially warm words for Rubio.
Responding to a question from Marla Ridenour about a possible offensive coordinator, Altman virtually concluded the press conference with praise for Saint Ricky:
Q. Will you talk to J.B. about maybe having an offensive coordinator?Koby Altman: …When we were 35-21, when we were healthy, we were crushing teams — like, crushing teams. And that, that was with Ricky at the helm, you know, at the helm of that second unit. It was almost like we had two different lineups; we’d have the defensive lineup that would slow things down and beat you up on the glass and get you taking tough shots, and then Ricky would come in with Kevin and we would run the score up. And we had a wholly different dynamic. You lose a player of that imagination, that creativity, I don’t care how good you are from an offensive standpoint in terms of, you know, planning, you lose that level of passing and of skill, your offense is going to take a hit. And so we need to figure out how to get an injection of backup that can come in and play create and make the game easier for us, and, we will get better on that end.
The one aspect of Altman’s answer that will sound familiar from last year is the pledge to stabilize the backcourt bench. Last August, Altman’s move was to sign a two-year deal with the undersized but internationally experienced three point sharpshooter Canadian Kevin Pangos to serve as the third-string point guard. R.J. Nembhard Jr. was available to fill in as a fourth point guard option from the G League.
On the fringes of potential ball-handling duties in the backcourt were guards Collin Sexton and Isaac Okoro, with a few jittery but exciting possessions run by “point” Evan Mobley. Most of all, the Cavs’ experienced wing and swingman Cedi Osman could also soak up some offensive initiation responsibilities, having shown what he could do with increased usage dating back to his regular starts in the John Beilein era.
But early in the season, options three and four at the point guard spot were almost entirely hypothetical anyway. Garland sat out two games straight out of the gate of the young season (vs. Charlotte and Atlanta, respectively) with an ankle sprain. J.B. Bickerstaff responded by simply moving Rubio into the starting slot for heavy minutes, left Pangos and Nembhard on the bench, and let Sexton, Okoro, and Osman cook. The results were good.
Slightly less than half a year later, the Cavs backcourt situation has mutated almost beyond recognition. Few analysts in October 2021 would have predicted that, as the 2021-22 season ground to a halt, we would be:
– judging Rajon Rondo’s performance as a Cleveland backup point– trying to figure out how to bring back Ricky Rubio mid-2022-23 season and a trade to Indiana– running statistical exercises on Cavs lineups with Caris LeVert– sifting through draft possibilities at point guard– wondering if Brandon Goodwin has a future with the organization– getting over PTSD from Collin Sexton’s T-shirt selection in the final play-in game of the year– speculating about the effect of war in Ukraine on Kevin Pangos’ early return to Moscow
But that is where we are.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks has a long read on the Cavs’ upcoming offseason which leaves out most of the end-of-the-bench churn during the year, but at least gets into some of the specifics of various contracts and possibilities for 2022-23, with a focus on Collin Sexton. Koby Altman was clearly mindful of the Caris LeVert/Collin Sexton situation at his press conference, having been set up for this with a couple of Chris Fedor articles which appeared in the aftermath of the play-in. Chris Francis has further analysis of this dynamic in his breakdown of the Altman presser.
If nothing else, Levert is an enigma; he has stirred up some of the most interesting Cavs: the Blog internal e-mail threads and will probably be the subject of a future deep dive on his Cleveland minutes. Altman noted his belief that Cleveland really needs some ball-dominant, score-first players.
At some point I hope to do some further analysis of Brandon Goodwin, the undersized but plucky point guard. Goodwin who got zero mentions in the Koby Altman presser, but he helped carry the Cavs through February. Outside of his three initial games immediately following the Rubio injury (the definition of a baptism by fire), Goodwin deserves a deeper dive on his performance in meaningful games.
As for Kevin Pangos, few Cavs fans are likely to fondly reminisce about his run at point from December 30 through January 2 (one win and two losses, including a squeaker to the Hawks), but it might be worth looking at Pangos’ tenure in those games, small sample size and all, as a case study for J.B. Bickerstaff’s decision-making or ability to improvise.
A perceptive comment from CtB reader Jason puts Goodwin in “Tier 5”:
Based on Altman’s comments:
Tier 1: Inner Core: DG, Mobley, Allen.
Tier 2: Outer Core: YB, Okoro, LeVert, Big Finnish.
Tier 3: Veteran/Mantle: Love
Tier 4: Fringe Rotation/Crust: Cedi, Stevens, Wade
Tier 5: Not on solid ground/Atmosphere: Windler, Brown, Goodwin, Rondo.
Goodwin was head and shoulders above RJ Nembhard Jr., who played in a total of three games (backing up Goodwin for a nail-biting four minutes vs. Washington), and journeyman Tim Frazier, who began and ended his Cavs career with two points in two games. Again, Goodwin deserves more attention for his roughly two dozen games (i.e., non-garbage time games) in which he was either a starter or a significant role player — he managed to log this role in more games than Rondo at the end of the day. Anyway, here are the big fish:
Darius Garland (37 wins, 31 losses)
Darius Garland, of course, is the straw that stirs the drink. He played brilliantly in 68 games for the Cavs this year. He notched 29 double-doubles, got his first All Star nod and looks set up for a max contract downstream.
In terms of health, the Cavs’ starting point guard missed ten games with what be called standard injuries — an early ankle sprain, and then eight games on either side of the All-Star Break with a back issue which kept the front office twitchy and the Cavs losing games. However, it was four missed games due to Covid that led to Rubio getting huge minutes with disastrous result and the central crisis of the season.
Isaac Okoro (34 wins, 33 losses)
Koby Altman didn’t have Isaac Okoro at the front of his mind at his press conference, but he did field a specific question about the second-year guard:
Q. What do you want to see out of Isaac in year 3?A. Koby Altman:
So, Isaac, um, we want to unlock him, you know, we need to unlock him more on the offensive end; there is so much more he can do. Last year, towards the end of the season, we saw, uh, his offensive evolution — uh, we put the ball in his hands more, obviously Collin and Darius were out so we had to use his playmaking more. So it is on us to unlock his offensive ability. But you saw tremendous growth out of him. Um, you know, the shooting piece really evolved, I think he shot 44% from three, post-All Star, which — that’s a lot of games. And obviously we know he brings a lot to the table on the defensive end, his attitude, his tenacity and toughness, we need that, especially when we get to the playoffs, so, we just need to figure out how to unlock him on the offensive end, and that’s on us.
With respect to Okoro’s three point percentage, Altman at least came prepared — Okoro did indeed shoot 44% from three in the final 23 games of the season. Unfortunately it was on a relatively small volume, going 19-43. Another less charitable way to look at the data is to note that Okoro ended the season with a dwindling game from distance, attempting only eight shots in the last seven games of the season. In the play-in matches, Okoro’s three-point performances were identically uninspiring, going 0-1 in each game.
However, on the whole Altman’s comments jibe with those of Cavs the Blog analyst Ben Werth, who in an internal e-mail thread in February 2022 wrote:
Okoro has been a defensive stud, and when he has gotten his feet under him, his offense has begun to come around. I like win/48 more than most any other stat and his is over .100 right now [in February 2022].
Ben Werth is back! One of the brightest NBA analysts around breaks down Tower City, Dean Wade, Darius, Okoro and one of the most joyful teams to watch in the league… the Cavs!https://t.co/UmuNI7n2PT pic.twitter.com/pydkDrsaf8
— Cavs:TheBlog (@CavsTheTweets) December 3, 2021
Collin Sexton (7 wins, 4 losses)
Sexton appeared in 11 games this past year before bowing out with a meniscus tear. Emblematic of how Sexton tends to split opinion amid the commentariat was the second game of the season. With Garland out, Sexton took over, hoisting 21 shots and ending with 33 points and one assist in a convincing loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
https://youtu.be/AYZ1t9PZUVQ?t=25
This season, those 11 games were a borderline disaster. Sexton'sshooting was worse. His release was noticeably slower & he had zero confidence. You can also track YoY towards relying on C&S versus off the bounce progress over time & Sexton being a reluctant bounce 3 shooter now.
— HoopsDogg (@oldseaminer) April 4, 2022
Rajon Rondo (11 wins, 10 losses)
Koby Altman shouted out nearly everyone on the roster during his press conference, including Ed Davis and Lamar Stevens, but failed to mention Rajon Rondo even once. Nor did Altman get a question about the mid-season acquisition.
Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal had a good profile between the play-in games of Rondo’s role on the team, working alongside Darius Garland.
Rondo’s best stretch with Cleveland was from February 4th to 11th, sparking a four-game win streak (vs. Charlotte, San Antonio, and 2x vs. Indiana) in which he averaged six shots a game. His performance for the Cavs peaked in that period, in the two games against Indiana — his old nemesis Rick Carlisle appears to have brought out his best. Playing the Pacers on February 6, Rondo tallied 12 assists and ended the game with an impressive plus-minus +26. February 11 was another good day for the vet, keying the Cavs to a second win over Indiana with 6-7 shooting (2-3 from three), six assists and three steals. Unfortunately, the Cavs do not play the Pacers 82 times per season. Rondo is a free agent next season, having made a cumulative $7,500,000 this past year. Retirement remains an option, at least according to Rondo’s earlier statements. But the team’s young guards will always have memories of Rondo’s legendary steak dinner in Portland, the sacred exchange of hefty binders full of Nets and Hawks play-in profiles and schemes, and some moments of genius along the way.
new post up!
EARLY MOCK DRAFTS HAVE FOLOWING PLAYERS LINKED TO THE CAVS—–ABBAJI—SOCHAN—DIENG—DANIELS—EASON—WASHINGTON—BRANHAM——–MY CHOICES IN FOLLOWING ORDER——–SOCHAN // AGBAJI// DIENG// DANIELS//EASON//WASHINGTON// BRANHAM ———–THOUGHTS// OPINIONS
Sochan would be my guy….I don’t think he’ll be there when the Cavs pick, but I’ve seen stranger things. Agbaji, maybe….he tends to disappear for long stretches in games…theoretically, he has size and can shoot. Dyson Daniels is one to watch, although his shooting is not a strength. If the Cavs are really looking to try to fill needs rather than just take a shot at potential upside, Keegan Murray at around 6’8″ checks a lot of boxes, but he’ll be gone. Branham, maybe…I see him as a first rounder in mocks, but I think he could slip to 2nd… Read more »
SO HAPPY TO SEE TRAE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE HEAT—-CAVS NEED TO TAKE SOME LESSONS FROM THE HEAT —HOW TO DEFEND TRAE
Watching teams advance in the playoffs is ALWAYS a lesson in defence.
Never thought I’d root for Miami so hard. But man do I hate Atlanta.
Our guy, J. R. Smith, 4.0 — Academic Athlete of Year!
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33807054/ex-nbaer-turned-college-golfer-jr-smith-named-north-carolina-academic-athlete-year
Back to school!
The Celtics have better coaching this time and that’s why they are moving on easily to the next round. The Nets were always broken and Durant is continuing his complicated legacy. Kyrie is just a goofball now and its going to be weird as the years go by to know he was a central part of Cleveland’s first title and now he went the crazy route. The 76ers are just headcases which proves more that Embiid should be MVP otherwise this team is a lottery team. Pelicans making things interesting with Suns; Mavs/Jazz will be fun series to the end;… Read more »
THANKS RAOUL—–HOW FAR DOWN DID THE PELS GO WHEN THEY LANDED ( THE TOP SPOT ) FOR ZION ——THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE JUST LIKE THERE IS ALWAYS…….” MORE BEER PLEASE “
JUST REVIEWING THE DRAFT–LOTTERY (RULES )—AS SLIM AS IT MAY BE—WE COULD POSSIBLY MOVE UP FROM THE 14TH PICK CORRECT ??
Absolutely! About a 1% chance for each of the top four spots (I think). The good thing about being 14th — we cannot move down!
There’s no doubt in my mind that we could at least win 1 against those Celts.
“DITTO” WHAT JASON POSTED—LOVING IT !!!
Nets out. Kyrie passive. Durant 13 of 31 (but did score 39).
Harden terrible with Philly on the verge of blowing a 3-0 lead.
Great day in the NBA.
Glory to Ukraine!
It was a great day! I liked the Mavs beating Utah too!
Anyone watch the Nets – Celts game? Did Simmons wear a clown suit on the bench again?
I don’t think he was on the bench for this one…sore back/ mental health issues, pick one.
or maybe because Rich Paul spent the day with him. Paul probably told him the owners are changing rules next year to prevent Ben and Kyrie from getting paid if they do not play, and — by the way — your clown act is going over even worse than Kyrie’s Shaman act is with the general public.
Anyone surprised or bothered by Ja Morant winning the Most Improved Player Award over Darius? I initially felt an affront similar to Mobley’s spurn, but the Morant vs DG improvement comparisons are rather one-sided: points (8.3 vs. 4.3), assists (-0.7 vs. 2.5), rebounds (1.7 vs. 0.9), field goal percentage (4.4% vs. 1.1%), and free throw shooting (3.3% vs. 4.4%). Throw in that Ja’s team is very much in the playoffs–though they were there last year too–and it seems less arguable. I could be swayed.
Ja winning the award was extremely dumb, literally anybody else would’ve made a better argument
I’m not surprised, to me it was clear cut. Memphis was the 8th seed last year at 38 wins, now the 2nd seed in the West at 56..2nd in the NBA..
Ja had this large leap in points and the other stats… so to me it’s understandable..
Ofcourse I’m bias and would want DG to win it but hopefully it’s motivation to him…
thank you marcus smart..
poor poor pitiful ky… 0-4.. not good on the resume.. claxton needs to practice his FTs
right. a guy that was too good to waste his talent playing with LeBron
And Smart gets rewarded with a clear flop. Douche should be banned from the league. He can take his mickey mouse crap to a mickey mouse league.
I swear, Durant is either washed, betting on the line, or drunk so far this series. I’m not even saying he’s not being defended effectively, he’s missing shots that usually are automatic for him and just throwing the ball away constantly.
And he has 20 at the half, but I think he had a kind of crummy half…
Fun read! Definitely agree with everyone that this off-season should be very exciting in terms of how Altman builds the team. In regards to Rubio and myself being a guy with double ACL tears, they should certainly bring him in for a workout before signing a deal (I can’t imagine they wouldn’t) and certainly explore the draft and FA market for a starting 2nd unit PG. Recovery from major surgery in the late 30+ is a bit tougher from personal experience. I’m sure he has the best rehab team but you can’t undo all the wear and tear by throwing… Read more »
Great point that deserves more focus IMHO. The form Rubio came to the Cavs with was transcendent, he torched everyone before him at the Olympics. Recovery from major surgery on load-bearing tissues in your 30’s? Yes, there will need to be close analysis of his capabilities.
Good write up Adam! I think the Cavs leaned too heavily on Rubio and once he went down everything went to shit. He’s good but he’s not THAT good. No 30+ year old who really was never a superstar level should completely combust a team. While I loved having him and all – the Cavs need to do better handling injuries and personnel. I still think Sexton will be a boost for the Cavs; Okoro is really on his last year to prove something; Rondo never worked out; I would take another flyer on Goodwin who is serviceable; I would… Read more »
He was a super savy decision maker, starter quality PG coming off the bench for a team STARVED for ball-handling and play-making. He served as gasoline on the fire coming in when the starters were already hot, and a tourniquet when the opposition went on a run. Just a perfect fit. That said, just about everything that could go right was going right up until he got injured. I imagine that they would have come back to Earth a little, even if he hadn’t been injured. But anyone who was paying attention knew what his injury meant for the Cavs’… Read more »
Am I the only cavs fan that wants the suns to get upset as soon as possible? Why is that team not as likeable as they could be? Is it just CP (have disliked since Wake Forest cuz he was cheap shotting guys even back then)? Cuz I like Ayton…ambivalent on booker…really dont like PJ Tucker but cant tell if I would cheer for him in a cleveland jersey…and I kinda love their Coach Monty. Why do i want them to lose so bad?
Oh snap it forgot about LNJ. Imagine bringing he and Ricky back next year…goodness.
I was thinking the same thing. Is LNJ a FA?
as far as i know he is still on the 4 year contract he signed with the cavs…so due 9 million or so next season on the pelicans. Assuming we can resign Ricky…I am 100% on board floating Levert to New Orleans to bring him back. Or even sexton. It is so hard to figure out how the cavs management feels about Levert.
Warms my heart to see this Hawks team boatraced at home.
Is Aaron Gordon known for being one of the lowest IQ players in the game?
He’s definitely never been considered particularly high IQ…
Ben Simmons now out for game four, ‘back soreness’. Dude is possibly the biggest clown in professional sports. Imagine if the Cavs had traded for this moron.
I was the dummy who was open to trading for him early in the season. Oh well. Congrats CtB commenters who told me that was dumb (i.e. basically everyone).
it is just highly risky. would you trade Sexton for Simmons right now? my guess is 50% chance he never plays again, 25% chance he goes on to be great, 25% chance he is a disaster for any team that has him.
it will be interesting to see if the Nets fans boo him every time he stand up. probably not such a good idea to wear a clown outfit to a playoff game that you refuse to play in.
I thought the Cavs had to take a risk to climb out of the muck, and they still might have to. Attracting talent here is really hard. They have done well through trades, taking advantage of situations when they come along. I honestly didn’t follow Simmons enough though to assess just how big of a risk he is though.
well, for openers he can’t shoot, he’s crazy AF, who knows if he will ever play again, has the ability to make everyone hate him, …. .
“CHEERS” RAOUL !!!
RICKY YOU WANT US—WE WANT YOU—MAKE IT HAPPEN !!!!!!!! AND EVERYONE WILL HAVE …………..” MORE BEER PLEASE ” !!!
I love “MORE BEER PLEASE”! I saw ’em open for Fatty Blunt and the Woke Mob at Buddakan.
Simmons debuting in game 4. I hope he steps in poop.
I have very little doubt that he will be a net minus. (If he plays at all)
Gotta say – would his management (who let’s face it must be facing all kinds of issues) actually want him to show for this? High stakes gamble I would think.
My god what a bucket by Morant
that was an insane finish! LMFAO
I think Ant Edwards might be the best player in the series tho!
wheels coming off nets tricycle.. here’s hoping for an epic 0-4 sweep..
Sock Puppet & Flat Earth combine for 32. Tatum goes for 39?
WTF?!?!
the Browns could used that security person!
One of the reasons I don’t much care for any of those awards. There are always a few too many clowns voting.
Yeah, LeBron should’ve won several more MVP awards, but the “experts” who rant on podcasts decided otherwise.
Ant Edward’s is carried to the locker room
RJ on comments…awesome!
A dumb Durant turnover to seal it…fitting.
KD the other kind of goat
Still only 6 points…
Kyrie’s excited to join Ice Cube’s Big 3
Patty Mills on fire…but they needed that earlier…
Go Memphis!
The Celtics are just plain owning KD and the flat earth anti vaxxer.
Nets looking to get 🧹
Nets are just too small and can’t defend anyone. If the anti-vaxxer and Durant aren’t going nuclear, they’re just not particularly good. Cavs happened to get them when Kyrie could barely miss.
Yep. Cavs would have fared better against Nets in a series.
Wow. Griffin representing!
Just incredible how Durant is giving them so little. A real throwback to his “Mr. Unreliable” days. Anyone can miss shots, but so many careless turnovers…
Bring back the 🐐
Makes me happy.
I Want To Believe
I refuse to get my hopes up. My fragile heart couldn’t take it if it doesn’t happen.
Yeah I’m not sure how reliable the source is, but I’d love to see it!
1000%
Sweetness. It will be worth the wait.
Get some wings and a legit backup C.
Van Gundy just also mentioned it, but at least Griffin is playing physically and hard. This Nets team has needed a shot of that.
Same draft class as Rubio & Curry, right? Interesting trajectories.
Somehow Nets are within three near end of the third. Feels like they should be down 18.
And Blake Griffin making an appearance. Look for him to either crap the bed or make make 4 threes. No in between.
Lol! Took 1 minute for that to happen.
Hard to believe how much KD is crapping the bed in this series. Yeah, they’re being physical with him, but he’s just a turnover machine every game. Also, Nets fans are getting a nice taste of Andre “Basketball IQ” Drummond.
If the Nets are going to win, it’s probably up to the anti-vaxxer.
Some guy on twitter spat his dummy at me when I suggested the Nets weren’t a good team. They are being exposed this series as a one-dimensional team by a solid defense.
Well, they may have Oz’s favorite son coming back someday over the ever moving horizon. :) For now, he’s standing on the sideline in orange pants.
Eeeeewww, don’t put that on us pls! Aussies favorite son is already on court but not seeing enough ball.
Unbelievable that Barnes got Roy over both Mobley and Cunningham they were both ahead of him imo…
But anyways anyone watching that mavs game see Powell just torpedo the mavs by missing two freebies with 19 secs left then giving up an alley oop to Gob 8 secs later…wow…
I want the name of the one voter–of the one hundred–who left Mobley off his/her ballot and the rubric by which that person deemed him not one of the top three rookies in the league.
Losing this award should become fuel for every rep he takes between today and the start of next season.
No joy in Mobesville
MOBES ‘ROBBED ” OF ROY——HOPE IT MOTIVATES HIM EVEN MORE ……….” MORE BEER PLEASE” !!!
Barnes won RoY. I don’t care too much about all the season awards, personally, but no doubt a bummer for Mobley. That ankle really torpedoed his chances.
this was an excellent post season article, Adam. I listened to part of the presser but you highlighted stuff I didn’t realize was significant. The Goodwin situation is absolutely fascinating…he showed he COULD have a role on an NBA team. Like categorically good enough for the NBA… With the right coach and team. The cavs are too young to give him mins consistently…both from a player and coach perspective. But I could see him mattering on a Pop led team that was competing…or getting mins playing for Snyder or Doc Rivers or honestly even Kerr. He’s a talented scorer. He’s… Read more »
Excellent discussion Adam. I’m hanging for news on Rubio … gonna be an anxious few months.
This is great, Adam.
Cannot root hard enough for Miami.
Same.
I’m rooting a lot harder for Boston.
Trae is pulling out all the non basketball stops in this one. Just a disgrace to the game. Even worse in his case, because he can actually play.
Trae is so good in tight games. I hate to say it.
I love it, sadly. Cuz i want Garland to feel as entitled to extend his range to the logo. Curry changed the game several years ago. It takes courage to join that revolution. I want Garland to join. Would open up our big man game like crazy!
if he can make a decent percentage out there. it is really hard to shoot out there.
THANK YOU ADAM—-GREAT JOB—–WE ALL KNOW / WANT / HOPE THAT THERE IS A RUBIO SIGNING THIS OFF SEASON——-JUST SAW THE LATEST BLEACHER REPORT MOCK DRAFT–( TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH )—THEY HAVE JOHNNY DAVIS FALLING ALLL THE WAY DOWN TO THE CAVS —-YES OR NO IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN
Not really a fan of Davis… below average scorer and not a good enough passer. But he does play defense.
I agree…not a dawg. we need shooting…but moreover “playing defense” in college translates way less often than shooting. One is a team dependent ability a lot of the time…the other is measurable.
2.3% steal rate and 2.4% block rate in the Big 10 as a 6’5″ guard suggests NBA athleticism and defensive capabilities. Dude can play defense. I wasn’t being glib sorry if i left that impression.
Just not the scorer or playmaker that he’s hyped as. Depends on who else is there, maybe you take a shot I guess.
if he is the best option on the day you gotta pull the trigger when the pick comes up.
But…notwithstanding my ignorance of those #s…I would put money on comps who also don’t make an impact on offense fizzling out in the NBA. Although that Stock rate is like .5 higher than I remember caring about. What’s crazy is…we could move Okoro for a shooter or he and Cedi for Satoransky? and go into next season planning to develop Davis with the same schedule as Okoro…
Damn it CLF you have talked me into him
Lmfaooooo everything is in play!!! Can’t rule anything out right now.
got that right!
Good article. I don’t have a lot to say, but I thought it was ‘interesting’ that Goodwin tweeted the other day “not a third pg”. I mean, okay? He may well not be a third pg on this team. I like him okay, but they’re trying to win games here.
I didn’t realize he was worth following… was he suggesting he was disrespected?
I don’t love Goodwin as the backup to DG but I do think he has a right to claim he shouldn’t have been kicked to the side by a 36 year old brain without a body. Young coaches almost always default to experienced players when under pressure…but the #s do not indicate Goodwin was more of a problem than Rondo…and he was way better as a scoring threat. Like…no. Sorry. He WAS a scoring threat. And then there was Rondo.
Agree…failure to take a chance on a strong-bodied, motivated up-and-comer can be the difference for a lot of teams in win-or-go-home situations. As much as I detest some GSW players, their organisation does a great job on this.
i HATE how much the fighting kerrs are able to develop young talent because that talent has a safety net. It honestly is a metaphor for life. It takes an extraordinary will to overcome a complete safety net…or zero safety net. In the middle is some safety net for a short period of time. The most humans are able to develop well under this situation. Basketball isn’t any different. Rookies drafted onto terrible teams are very unlikely to succeed without immense ability and willpower. Rookies drafted onto playoff or contention level teams have a relative 50-50 shot. Rookies drafted onto… Read more »
agree with the first two paragraphs. the part about Windler and Poole is far fetched.
great article Adam, great catches on the lack of Rondo and Goodwin name drops. the backcourt question is the most fascinating question for me this offseason. There’s only one guaranteed guy in the backcourt, DG, and the rest are a bunch of question marks. Sounds like Sexton will be re-signed and possibly demoted to backup PG role with a chance to prove his passing will improve. Also that Rubio will likely be re-signed. Don’t think Rubio can anything more than 3rd string until he fully heals… then, what’s left in the tank after that? I think they want to go… Read more »