"Shooting when he's supposed to shoot" is different than "jacking up shots". They've said since last season that he's got to take shots when he's open which was a problem last season and early this season. Players and coaches have said he has to take those open shots instead of looking to pass the ball to vets or others. Outside of KD, nobody on the team should have more of a green light than him. Every now and then he realizes this and unloads, so he's been doing it more than last season, but you can still see him passing up shots. Anybody that comes into the league with the rep of god-mode shooting shouldn't be saying "gosh, is this the right play?" - the right play is you shooting when you're open.
Another awful showing shooting the 3 ball 1/5. Now shooting 30% last 20 games. Dunno what’s going on with this guy.
He’s not getting clean looks. Seems like most of his attempts are not in rhythm. Can’t recall the last time there was penetration doubled, and the ball swung around the arc finding him open.
wide open looks last night and last month and a half. Inexcusable. He simply hasn’t been shooting or playing well overall. Im interested to see what the organization will do with him next year. To me he has the KPJ effect. Sure he can give you 2 games in a row with 60% 3pt and 15 pts etc but the TO’s, incorrect reads and decisions and poor defense just nullifies all that offense and this isn’t winning basketball. Has he helped this team win some games? Sure. But KPJ did as well. Just too many mistakes overall. Its not just about shooting well. But last 20-25 games he can’t even shoot consistently. It’s real concerning to me.
Reed played significant minutes last night with two lineups that were: Reed - Amen - DFS - Capela - Sengun and then Reed - Amen - DFS - Tate - Capela I guess it's Ime's way of saying "Look his defensive is so bad that I'll only play him with 4 defenders". Reed helped us take control of the 4th then got benched because??? No wonder his 3pt % is taking a nosedive. We had ****ing Sengun spotting him for 3 as a floor spacer multiple times when Reed was in the game. I'm so frustrated with his management and if Fred were playing I bet he'd struggle to get into games at all.
I think lack of confidence affects young players intermittently. That’s why patience is required with this young team. It’s obvious to me that Sengun, Amen, Reed are all suffering major confidence issues with their shots right now. Jabari was for several weeks. This team was not ready to compete and so the Durant trade was immature. What to do about that is the question? There are those like yourself that think the Durant trade was an all in move and we should go further with it by trading these young players in win now moves or others, like myself, that would rather give this stew some time to cook. Knowing that most players start peaking between 25-30 and Durant’s contract will be tradeable after next year, makes option 2 a reasonable path in my opinion. It’s a bit ironic that someone my age is preaching patience when who knows how many more years I have to see another championship, but with the makeup of teams like OKC and SA, I don’t see moves off of our young players that will allow us to overcome them while Durant is still viable.
can he be used differently? Sure. There’s always ways to use players differently but at the end of the day you execute. Make your shots. Play defense. Stop making stupid passes. Stop overdribbling. Stop pulling up and shooting early in the shot clock without setting up the offense. Plenty of wide open looks these 20-25 games including last night and he misses point blank.
Thats why the moves have to be drastic. Earth shattering gigantic moves. Giannis or a star guard or both. After watching last night and times when Rockets play small im inclined to trading Sengun more than Amen. I think he’s the major obstacle with this team ascending. The pace is slow, the half court set is slow and reduced to DHO’s and post ups. The spacing is terrible. I actually think they can win with a dominant combo guard or 2 guard, Amen, Durant and a stretch big. But to me the Giannis move is the obvious move and I hope Stone is holding his hand for this or multiple trades.
I think an interesting thing we saw last night was how Reed merely being on the court made everyone around him better because opposing defenses guard him all the way out to the logo even when he's off ball... even when he's not shooting particularly well that game. Compare that to "totally a guard" Amen who they were defending as if he was Clint Capela. That's one of the larger reasons the starting unit struggles so much to score consistently.
I was encouraged with the all forward lineup last night. I don’t know how possible it is to accomplish in one off-season, but I would really like to see Jabari move in the direction (getting much stronger) of becoming a spacing center and using Sengun to get a good sized guard that can shoot and play defense. Getting Giannis would pretty much leave us with only a 3 out offensive option and I’m uncertain of the cost to get him and still be able to obtain enough shooting and defense to have a viable offense. I think Amen gives you much of what Giannis would in a 4 out offense. Amen, New SG, Durant, Tari, Jabari would make us elite athletically and defensively and could lead to more spacing. Amen still needs to develop a shot, but even if it takes a year or two we would be set up pretty well for when Durant moves on to be championship contenders for another half decade or so. It would also be a much more entertaining brand of basketball even if we ultimately fall short.
Reason why I think Giannis is a good idea is Giannis is quicker than Sengun. He plays more like a point 3 or 2 guard. He has great passing skills especially on the break or when he drives. He can take the ball full court and play uptempo and he is a lon threat. This team will be more dynamic and quicker with relentless attacking by him, Amen, Durant, Tari or Bari and a guard that we can swing. It can work even if Giannis and Amen can’t shoot because of how we play. Its not a slow dribble it up half court Sengun post. The ball will be shared by the combo guard looking to make plays or dump it to Giannis and Durant. Giannis is a good passer so the ball will move around for perimeter shots.
Reed with 4 non shooters is pretty much an invitation to the opposing defense to key in on him at the 3pt line.
