Jazz4ever
Well-Known Member
So you are going with "leading" eh?
Brandon Knight had one good game in the tournament, he are his PG related totals:
FG: 32%
Assists: 22
Turnovers: 17
Kemba Walker vs Brandon Knight
- Thread starter Guitaro
- Start date
So you are going with "leading" eh?
Brandon Knight had one good game in the tournament, he are his PG related totals:
FG: 32%
Assists: 22
Turnovers: 17
Guitaro
Well-Known Member
They have an outspoken coach. That's what I'm saying. You either need an outspoken coach or a floor general. Some teams have both and do really well. Some have conflicts and usually one or the other changes sooner or later. In our case, Deron clashed with Sloan to the point of big change. Kobe clashed with Phil but their professionalism overruled their egos.
So what are the Spurs players? The Spurs are made up of intense but lead-by-example professionals. Although, how many times have you seen Duncan go over to a guy and do a head-hold consultation on the court when they make a mistake?
Duncan is their unquestionable leader and anchor. Ginobili is their engine. Parker is the front of the boat that breaks up the ice.
Guitaro
Well-Known Member
I never said Kemba didn't. I was just answering his critique.
I also never said that Kemba is a pure PG. I merely said that Kemba is basically a better floor general than Knight at this "point".
Don't misunderstand, I like Kemba better for his intangibles, and my own gut, but I do like both players overall and I think the Jazz could really go either way and do well. Mostly, I wanted to get the discussion going about these two in particular.
I also posted both scenarios for my own benefit as well. I wanted to imagine what the Jazz would be like with both guys. With that being said, Irving would be a better choice for the Jazz than either player, to be honest. However, Irving has flaws as well.
Perhaps the Jazz shouldn't be in such a rush to replace Deron?
The Jazz should stick to their philosophy and pick the BPA or make trades to get who they really want. I would actually prefer if the Jazz did this.
No need to be impatient. With Larry and Sloan gone, there's no pending deadline to win a championship tomorrow. Do it right and build through the draft (BPA) along with smart trades to fill in the missing pieces.
It was not a statistically impressive run for him individually. But if we're to put so much stock in team success, that's rather irrelevant. However, if we're not, Knight destroys or hangs with Walker in every area except for fouls drawn and turnovers. Not bad for a 2-year age and experience disparity at the most critical period in development.
I think we ultimately agree. I'm not in love with Knight, either. But I DO think the Jazz should start looking for PGs of the future by scooping up some later picks in the draft and see if they do anything (I started a stupid thread about it) since the rebuilding timeline and Harris's timeline don't project well together.
Guitaro
Well-Known Member
I agree 100%. I think they could do well by picking up guys like Nolan Smith who wouldn't cost much but seemed to run Duke just fine in Irving's absence. Then, the Jazz could focus their offense more at the other positions based on who the BPA is. As they say, let the defense determine what offense you use. No sense in forcing things.
They have an outspoken coach. That's what I'm saying. You either need an outspoken coach or a floor general. Some teams have both and do really well. Some have conflicts and usually one or the other changes sooner or later. In our case, Deron clashed with Sloan to the point of big change. Kobe clashed with Phil but their professionalism overruled their egos.
So what are the Spurs players? The Spurs are made up of intense but lead-by-example professionals. Although, how many times have you seen Duncan go over to a guy and do a head-hold consultation on the court when they make a mistake?
Duncan is their unquestionable leader and anchor. Ginobili is their engine. Parker is the front of the boat that breaks up the ice.
Popavich is outspoken?
BENTLEY
Well-Known Member
This. Especially when the best PGs this year (other than Irving) don't get me all that geeked. Harris will be fine at "band-aid" (as someone referred to him). Wait til you're smitten.
Guitaro
Well-Known Member
Have you heard him in the huddles and press conferences? He's not always cheerleading but he's very direct and isn't afraid to get in a guy's face. Sloan and him are very similar in that way. Just ask any referee when they make a mistake. Pop gets very animated and frankly kinda scary.
Seriously, Pop is one of those coaches that I wouldn't want on my bad side. Just watch when a reporter asks a dumb question. lol
BTW, I wasn't saying yours was a dumb question.
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Guitaro
Well-Known Member
The only concern I have with Knight, at this point, is something he said: "We'll find out where we're going to play for the next couple years." I'm paraphrasing of course. It may be nothing. However, that along with how he handled the workout, makes me wonder a little if he would stay long-term?
I may be a bit paranoid and worrisome, but it's at least something I'd look into. He did leave after his freshman year. Is he more worried about money than winning? Is he going to be loyal with the team that drafted him?
Based on this alone, Kemba wins me over, hands down. Kemba is a junior basketball-wise but he already graduated from college. I also liked how friendly and smooth Kemba seemed working with and talking about other players. Kemba, to me, seems to have more depth of character. Although, he's not as articulate as some. Knight's interviews seem a little stiff. Even Jimmer's interviews, while well-spoken, seem a little stiff as well.
I want my leader to be calm in any situation. He needs to be someone that people can look to for guidance when the boat is wavering. They don't even have to be the leading scorer. They just need to help your team win consistently. Plus, they need a dominant personality that gels well with teammates but intimidates opponents. Kemba vs Knight in the tournament answered who that was.
What do I mean? It's like Jordan vs Malone. Both have big personalities but Jordan's was a bit more dominant than Malone's and everyone else's. Or, Dirk vs Lebron 2011. Or Wade vs Dirk 2006. Or Kobe vs whoever. Deron had that but seemed to lose it a little towards the end. We need that back.
Of course, if the Jazz feel better about going big with the #3 pick and getting that dominant personality later then by all means, don't second guess. Just go for it and don't look back. Kanter, for example, has a strong personality as well. We do have options, to say the least.
I may be a bit paranoid and worrisome, but it's at least something I'd look into. He did leave after his freshman year. Is he more worried about money than winning? Is he going to be loyal with the team that drafted him?
Based on this alone, Kemba wins me over, hands down. Kemba is a junior basketball-wise but he already graduated from college. I also liked how friendly and smooth Kemba seemed working with and talking about other players. Kemba, to me, seems to have more depth of character. Although, he's not as articulate as some. Knight's interviews seem a little stiff. Even Jimmer's interviews, while well-spoken, seem a little stiff as well.
I want my leader to be calm in any situation. He needs to be someone that people can look to for guidance when the boat is wavering. They don't even have to be the leading scorer. They just need to help your team win consistently. Plus, they need a dominant personality that gels well with teammates but intimidates opponents. Kemba vs Knight in the tournament answered who that was.
What do I mean? It's like Jordan vs Malone. Both have big personalities but Jordan's was a bit more dominant than Malone's and everyone else's. Or, Dirk vs Lebron 2011. Or Wade vs Dirk 2006. Or Kobe vs whoever. Deron had that but seemed to lose it a little towards the end. We need that back.
Of course, if the Jazz feel better about going big with the #3 pick and getting that dominant personality later then by all means, don't second guess. Just go for it and don't look back. Kanter, for example, has a strong personality as well. We do have options, to say the least.
Guitaro
Well-Known Member
https://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/category/_/name/draft-reports
Seems the loyalty vibe I got was correct. He would rather go to Cleveland.
In this case, take the best big man or trade and get a pick later and get Kemba. Otherwise, stick with a big man and Jimmer/Thompson/Singleton/Burks or if JV falls, snag him as well and worry about a PG next year/free agency.
Of course, Raymond Felton is also said to be available...
Seems the loyalty vibe I got was correct. He would rather go to Cleveland.
In this case, take the best big man or trade and get a pick later and get Kemba. Otherwise, stick with a big man and Jimmer/Thompson/Singleton/Burks or if JV falls, snag him as well and worry about a PG next year/free agency.
Of course, Raymond Felton is also said to be available...
He wants to be the No. 1 pick, clown.