The last time we combined two different teams

Perhaps the title is a bit misleading, but in general we had our team in 2003-2004 build around AK and he seemed to really flourish. We slowly integrated Memo and Boozer and by the time Deron stepped up, our team was essentially the latter three and AK stopped being AK (or you could argue that it was at that point that AK started becoming AK, depending on whether or not you're a glass half full or half empty person). When Memo, Boozer, and Williams arose, Kirilenko crumbled. Had he maintained his uniqueness of hustle plays, put backs, and doing the dirty work, we could have been a real force, but it never really materialized the way it should have, as adding those three guys was a totally different team from what he was used to.

Similarly, we've had the past 4 years of what's been essentially Gobert's rise, and paired with that Mitchell being the offensive counterpart to that team. The team was/is good, as was AK's 2003-2004 team (kinda). But now we've essentially brought in an entirely new team this off-season. Conley and Bogdanovic combined for 39.1 points per game last year -- as a side note, those two plus Green and Mudiay combined for 66.2 ppg last year, compared with 45.5 ppg from Korver, Crowder, Rubio and Favors. If Gobert can do what AK could not, and maintain his same play while adding in the rest of the pieces, then it should be a great combination. Those Deron/Memo/Boozer teams were good. We had a 54 win season in there, plus a conference finals, despite AK not being AK (or AK being AK, depending on your vantage point). So I think we're in for a treat.

Thanks for patronizing my work-avoiding ramblings.

There was a conflict between AK and DWill. Before DWill's second year in the league, AK was the primary ball handler and creator on offense. His unique mobility and passing for a 6'9" forward enabled him to break the paint and make a variety of creative plays. But once DWill and Boozer established their pick and roll, and Sloan put in his flex sets, AK was marginalized in the offense and often asked to stand in the corner and shoot 3s. Needless to say, he didn't like it, and he checked out mentally a bit. Also, once he got his first max contract, he seemed to lose a bit of his hunger.

I don't see a problem with Rudy slacking off. If anything, the pieces around him now complement him really nicely. He's got Conley, Mitchell and Ingles to feed him the ball, while we have competent shooters spacing the floor much better this year. See if he doesn't work a dribble hand-off game with Conley a bit the way Conley and Marc Gasol did, with Rudy turning to dunk off a lob or dribble drive.

I think Rudy wants to be an All Star. He still has his competitive drive.

I think Mitchell is a better comparison to AK than Gobert. Gobert's dunks and put backs are so efficient that they will remain a focus of the offense, so his role isn't being impacted. However, Mitchell's role as a creator and scorer reduced by adding Conley and Bogo. We all hope this makes him more efficient, but maybe he pouts like AK and everything goes south.

It is all up to the coach. Sloan admitted that he mishandled situation with Deron and AK, lets hope Snyder is better at understanding of players psychology and will manage it better. Plus Conley strikes me as more mature and less arrogant compared to Deron so I expect him to fit in just fine.

I don't think we have thing 1 to worry about in this regard. I think Rudy and Mitchell will both thrive with more weapons on the team.

Didn't we also reached the WCF the last time that happened?

ONE LOVE said:

Didn't we also reached the WCF the last time that happened?

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Yes, and just to be clear, last time we combined a couple different dynamics, we kicked ***, despite the blending not working out as hoped. I have no reservations about it this time, and I think we can successfully blend them. What I’m saying is that we should kick even more *** because the pieces fit well, and the players by all accounts want to win more. I don’t think we’ll be in the WCF and one of them will speak to the media saying we can’t win, and then complain about their role.

Mentally Gobert is almost the opposite of AK. AK was not social, didn't talk or hang with his teammates, crumbled under pressure, didn't seem competitive...

I have no concern about Gobert still playing hard and well with the new guys.

Plus Gobert isn't changing his role.

infection said:

Yes, and just to be clear, last time we combined a couple different dynamics, we kicked ***, despite the blending not working out as hoped. I have no reservations about it this time, and I think we can successfully blend them. What I’m saying is that we should kick even more *** because the pieces fit well, and the players by all accounts want to win more. I don’t think we’ll be in the WCF and one of them will speak to the media saying we can’t win, and then complain about their role.

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That team got extremely lucky to make it to the WCF. Honestly I think that was bad for the team. It made the team and FO think we were closer than we were. Getting to face an 8th seed in the 2nd round was the only reason we got there. We never did well against the top 2/3 seeds.

Ron Mexico said:

Mentally Gobert is almost the opposite of AK. AK was not social, didn't talk or hang with his teammates, crumbled under pressure, didn't seem competitive...

I have no concern about Gobert still playing hard and well with the new guys.

Plus Gobert isn't changing his role.

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I think that’s the great thing, though. Gobert is what we thought AK was.

infection said:

Gobert is what we thought AK was.

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Pure talent wise AK was much more talented and skilled then Rudy is at this time. Too bad he was not able to maximize his potential for whatever ( I know everybody has their own ideas why) reason.

Does Rudy have a WoW-inspired dragon tattoo on his back?

UB said:

Does Rudy have a WoW-inspired dragon tattoo on his back?

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No, but he does have a 365 days/year free pass.

I have zero fears about Rudy's drive diminishing, the man is hungry for a championship. So is Donovan. They both know it takes a team to succeed. And all these added weapons are just going to make their games so much easier. Mitchell isn't going to be forced to create his own shot so often. Defenders are going to have to be honest when Conley and Bojan are on the court. As opposed to Crowder and Ricky who were not reliable scorers. This team has all the potential to make a serious run

Ron Mexico said:

Mentally Gobert is almost the opposite of AK. AK was not social, didn't talk or hang with his teammates, crumbled under pressure, didn't seem competitive...

I have no concern about Gobert still playing hard and well with the new guys.

Plus Gobert isn't changing his role.

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1,000,000% true.

And Gobert is committed to winning more than anything else. AK was committed to himself.

One thing Gobert and Kirilenko have in common is that they both love to read Russian spy novels before every game.

Wes Mantooth said:

1,000,000% true.

And Gobert is committed to winning more than anything else. AK was committed to himself.

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Yeah I doubt anyone will be complaining about Gobert making vacation plans during the conference finals.