Can Jordan Clarkson and Rudy Gay play in the same lineup?

[SoberasHotRod]

Rudy Gay is obviously a better overall basketball player than Georges Niang, but his fit next to Clarkson could be interesting. Gay's higher usage percentage and higher percentage of shots from 2 could be an issue next to Clarkson.

I think Quin might need to experiment with some different substitution patterns, but that could be tough with both players coming off the bench.

USG%
Niang - 16.9%
Gay - 23%

% Shots from 2pt range
Niang - 27.7%
Gay - 55.7%

 

[416Klawzz]

Rudy Gay is obviously a better overall basketball player than Georges Niang, but his fit next to Clarkson could be interesting. Gay's higher usage percentage and higher percentage of shots from 2 could be an issue next to Clarkson.

I think Quin might need to experiment with some different substitution patterns, but that could be tough with both players coming off the bench.

USG%
Niang - 16.9%
Gay - 23%

% Shots from 2pt range
Niang - 27.7%
Gay - 55.7%

Shouldn't be a problem

 

[infection]

I think there are interesting questions here as to whether or not having more offensive weapons allows less defensive attention on Clarkson makes him get easier baskets, or if having those other options allows him to not force it as much, or if this completely takes away from his freedom and his game. We’ll see. I’m hoping the former.

 

[Miggs]

What are the usage rates for say Conley and Don? I assume even higher and they co-exist pretty damn well.

 

[LogGrad98]

Gay is a professional. Clarkson just wants to win and is thrilled to be here. They will make it work. I think that Gay makes that second unit way more dangerous in place of Niang. Definitely excited to see it in action!

 

[KqWIN]

I think there are interesting questions here as to whether or not having more offensive weapons allows less defensive attention on Clarkson makes him get easier baskets, or if having those other options allows him to not force it as much, or if this completely takes away from his freedom and his game. We’ll see. I’m hoping the former.

In the past more offensive weapons has not lead to easier shots or better offense. Obviously having too much firepower is better than having too little, but when you have a ton of guys who take difficult shots the team ends up taking more difficult shots. Gay and Whiteside are more talented overall offensive players than Niang and Favors...but I don't think their offensive firepower is additive to this roster. If we didn't have a ton of firepower already it would be different, but we do and low usage high efficiency players are a much more natural offensive fit.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

What are the usage rates for say Conley and Don? I assume even higher and they co-exist pretty damn well.

Conley dropped his usage and dramatically changed his shot distribution to co-exist with Donovan. Even then, their minutes are staggered to make it work.

I do think that Gay and Clarkson will figure it out, but I think one or both of them will need to change their game slightly to make it work.

 

[Jazzinho]

We will have 3 front runners for 6th man of the year.

 

[infection]

In the past more offensive weapons has not lead to easier shots or better offense. Obviously having too much firepower is better than having too little, but when you have a ton of guys who take difficult shots the team ends up taking more difficult shots. Gay and Whiteside are more talented overall offensive players than Niang and Favors...but I don't think their offensive firepower is additive to this roster. If we didn't have a ton of firepower already it would be different, but we do and low usage high efficiency players are a much more natural offensive fit.

We’ll see over the course of a season. I’m not too inclined to weigh previous samples of missing players.

 

[rjfan]

Conley dropped his usage and dramatically changed his shot distribution to co-exist with Donovan. Even then, their minutes are staggered to make it work.

I do think that Gay and Clarkson will figure it out, but I think one or both of them will need to change their game slightly to make it work.

I think how much Clarkson should see the ball may depends on how much he'll be actually making the shots that he takes, as for Gay, i imagine that Quin gonna ask him to shoot way more threes.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

I think how much Clarkson should see the ball may depends on how much he'll be actually making the shots that he takes, as for Gay, i imagine that Quin gonna ask him to shoot way more threes.

I agree Gay will most likely shoot a much higher percentage of his shots from 3. That alone probably makes things work. I doubt that Quin changes how he manages Clarkson at this point, which is the complete opposite of what you typed.

 

[Miggs]

Conley dropped his usage and dramatically changed his shot distribution to co-exist with Donovan. Even then, their minutes are staggered to make it work.

I do think that Gay and Clarkson will figure it out, but I think one or both of them will need to change their game slightly to make it work.

Conley’s usage was 23.1% last year, higher than both Niang and Gay. Obviously, Mitchell’s is far greater. So yeah, this is much ado about nothing.