It's not about Green and Davis as much as it is about every other player DL/JZ has brought in imo. No one since Exum was an effective on ball defender that could share the court with Gobert (outside of O'Neil). They found Rudy zero help at what he does best. Instead they built teams that funnelled the ball into him. Instead of helping our cornerstone, everyone leaned on him. Everyone. No wonder he's burnt out.
Thanks..
I can defend the philosophy of focusing less on defense once Rudy emerged by calling your attention to the way the New England Patriots invested in building receiving cores for Tom Brady, but I’ve run out of energy.
I thought about that analogy here. What Brady had though was a very good OL, and Gronk. They did build around Tom Terrific.
The key word was “invested.” They played moneyball around Tom and trusted his skill would eclipse any bad luck. They had a lot of success because they are a good Xs-and-Os organization (who also made awful ethics decisions to get it done—see Hernandez and AB). They never went out and spent top dollar on hall-of-famers. Tom’s presence allowed them to focus and invest more on the other side of the ball.
I don't agree. They had Gronk too to lean on. And always a good OL, and RB retreads who resurrected careers. They didn't desert him with talent.
They drafted Gronk in the 4th round. They invested when it came to time to re-up; they didn’t poach him from another team during free agency. There’s a difference. The O-line has been a focus, but Brady himself has also been key in those negotiations and decisions... which even furthers my point.
You can argue that it's not worth building around a defensive center and I'd probably agree with you.
I'll say it again. This type of soft player creation happens when you decide to base your organization around catering to everything around the player and are scared to death you'll run off players due to any perceived mistreatment or culture perception.
You're speaking of Hayward, not Rudy, right?
I'm speaking of everyone.
Well they are not catering to Gobert. Haven't brought in a good on ball defender since Donte (arguably Royce). Let that sink in.
Especially when you don't roll with the times.
They need a shake up type moment like when they were in Miami. Waive NWG and sign someone or just give Brantley a real deal and put him in the rotation... maybe he brings some energy and excitement... we are already ****ing up basic rotations with lackluster effort... maybe we screw up still but do it with effort and excitement.
