If not Rubio then what?

[Handlogten's Heros]

I'm not out on Exum. I just have realistic views on him (I know that's barely allowed around here).

GTFOH... he’s either an all star or a bust... nothing in between.

 

[NAOS]

People who are hoping for Middleton are going to be disappointed. Bucks will give him all the $$$. Would be a great fit here, though.

 

[jiggamanjazz]

The answer is Dame Lillard.... at least my dreams of a lillard/mitchell backcourt wont stop invading my sleep!

 

[dakidmas]

This board sure is funny, people calling for exum to start over Rubio then one game later exum needs to be traded. Only as good as your last 3 mins I guess

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Guys... the answer to me is DM is the "point guard". He has enough playmaking, he is more point guard sized... he plays more like a shooting guard but he's just a playmaker. Ingles can make plays as well. Just don't get a Kyle Korver style two guard who can't handle or run a PnR and we are fine. Our system is setup well to go without a PG.

I don't think Ricky or Dante are the ideal long term fits... keep one... move the other. Doesn't have to be now, but I want to see what DM looks like with AB more now to see how it works.

There are a few guys we could get this season that I think work better than Ricky. He's a great guy but his game isn't ideal for what we are doing. We have big decisions coming up and we need to see what works best around our core guys.

 

[NAOS]

Guys... the answer to me is DM is the "point guard". He has enough playmaking, he is more point guard sized... he plays more like a shooting guard but he's just a playmaker. Ingles can make plays as well. Just don't get a Kyle Korver style two guard who can't handle or run a PnR and we are fine. Our system is setup well to go without a PG.

I don't think Ricky or Dante are the ideal long term fits... keep one... move the other. Doesn't have to be now, but I want to see what DM looks like with AB more now to see how it works.

There are a few guys we could get this season that I think work better than Ricky. He's a great guy but his game isn't ideal for what we are doing. We have big decisions coming up and we need to see what works best around our core guys.

It was intriguing to see Q go with Burks to close the game the other night (when Ricky fouled out). Burks has definitely been playing better this year (in terms of passing, especially).

 

[LoPo]

Guys... the answer to me is DM is the "point guard". He has enough playmaking, he is more point guard sized... he plays more like a shooting guard but he's just a playmaker. Ingles can make plays as well. Just don't get a Kyle Korver style two guard who can't handle or run a PnR and we are fine. Our system is setup well to go without a PG.

I don't think Ricky or Dante are the ideal long term fits... keep one... move the other. Doesn't have to be now, but I want to see what DM looks like with AB more now to see how it works.

There are a few guys we could get this season that I think work better than Ricky. He's a great guy but his game isn't ideal for what we are doing. We have big decisions coming up and we need to see what works best around our core guys.

I agree with pretty much all of this.

I firmly believe that we need to make a decision pretty quickly about Rubio, Burks and Favors. All 3 are touch and go in terms of being dependable core guys. I would hate to ride out the season relying pretty heavily on those 3 expiring guys without developing the layer behind them (Exum, Grayson, O'Neale and Niang). And when we get to summer, I would also hate to just re-sign them because we don't have faith in what we have and we can't find anything better.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

It was intriguing to see Q go with Burks to close the game the other night (when Ricky fouled out). Burks has definitely been playing better this year (in terms of passing, especially).

I need to see it a few more games to fully believe it, but he's played smart and I don't feel like he's had the defensive lapses. With freedom of movement in full effect having a foul magnet like AB is great.

I'm just out on Ricky... his shooting is so, so bad... his turnovers are rough. His defense is spotty. He definitely has a knack for key plays but that doesn't justify a starting spot on a playoff team. You have to be Marcus Smart levels of good to justify how bad he is on offense. I think I could live with it if he was hiding in the corner, but he handles the ball so much, and he shoots just as much as Joe and Jae.

The guard/wing spot next to DM is our biggest area we can improve on imo.

 

[NAOS]

I need to see it a few more games to fully believe it, but he's played smart and I don't feel like he's had the defensive lapses. With freedom of movement in full effect having a foul magnet like AB is great.

I'm just out on Ricky... his shooting is so, so bad... his turnovers are rough. His defense is spotty. He definitely has a knack for key plays but that doesn't justify a starting spot on a playoff team. You have to be Marcus Smart levels of good to justify how bad he is on offense. I think I could live with it if he was hiding in the corner, but he handles the ball so much, and he shoots just as much as Joe and Jae.

The guard/wing spot next to DM is our biggest area we can improve on imo.

I've long stood by Ricky. I'm going to stay in that spot until the end of this year. But, going forward, it's hard to disagree with you.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I've long stood by Ricky. I'm going to stay in that spot until the end of this year. But, going forward, it's hard to disagree with you.

This is proof that Ricky is the most divisive player ever... he divided @NAOS and I.

I admire your patience... and I want to be clear... I really like Ricky and recognize there are some things he does that help us. I will cheer for him now and likely throughout his career. His limitations just drive me nuts and I think they are really holding us back.

 

[Alfalfa]

Now you're all just saying what I said in the OP. What a bunch of copycats.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Now you're all just saying what I said in the OP. What a bunch of copycats.

I have kind of been in that camp, but it just keeps gaining steam in my mind. Some national guy mentioned seeing DM in person and you kind of see how small he is and it's striking. It just kind of struck me that he should be the primary ball handler and many things point to he should be playing more like a PG. He was considered a combo guy and has shown more playmaking than originally anticipated. Getting another wing and rolling with Joe and DM makes so much more sense to me. I have some thoughts on available targets... will post another time in a separate thread though.