Mambo
Member
but i dont wanna.
Starting 2? Miles or Bell?
- Thread starter Gyp Rosetti
- Start date
but i dont wanna.
gregbroncs
Well-Known Member
While all of these are decent points. How do you expect Bell and his 34 year old body to hold up through a grueling season and into the playoffs getting big minutes? While I would rather have Bell available at the end of games instead of the beginning if he's playing well. Starting Miles leaves Bell with more available minutes late in games as needed. Starting Bell seriously limits the # of minutes he will be available late in halves and games.
I don't buy that Bell can play more than 24 MPG and stay healthy at his age and injury history.
Twin Towers
Well-Known Member
Bell started his NBA career really late. He didn't start until he was around 25 or 26. Bruce Bowen was considered an Elite defender from the age of 34-36. Bowen's career started way late also just like Raja's. And Raja doesn't have an injury history. He has stayed pretty healthy his whole career.
Last year was his first big injury and it was on his wrist. Not even his shooting wrist (unlike Korver). And Bell also healed very quickly and he was ready right after the all-star break. Warriors did not want to play him but they did not want to release him because he would go to a contender. Not playing last year actually will extend his career. It won't shorten it. Injuries that shorten players careers are leg injuries. His non shooting wrist injury won't be a problem. And he doesn't have anything else that we should worry about (nothing in his history).
And when a player starts a game that doesn't mean he can't finish the game. Bell can start the game and still play a lot of the 4th quarter. He can play less in the 2nd and 3rd. Bell can easily play 30 minutes a game. He was playing 37 minutes a game and still being very effective 2 years ago.
And I am not a Miles Hater either. I have been pulling for Miles for years because I knew he just needed CONSISTENT playing time. And he finally got it once Brewer left and got better because of it. Miles will be even better for us this coming year.
A defensive stopper is what we need more than anything in that starting lineup. And Miles can't guard those elite shooting guards. The SF's I think he can. But not the quick guards.
I agree Twin Towers. Good summary. Can't think of one category where Miles is better than Bell. I wonder how Bell and AK compare though. AK is a good defender and fills the lanes. AK is a better shot blocker, passer and better on inside offense. But I would give Bell the edge on outside defense and shooting.
Twin Towers
Well-Known Member
Exactly that is why AK & Bell will complement each other well on offense and defense. Bell is better at shooting and on ball defense. AK is better at off ball defense and slashing.
Miles shot 45% coming off the bench and 40% while starting.
https://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/splits?playerId=2778
AK shot 53% starting and 44% off the bench
https://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/splits?playerId=434
It is a no brainer for Miles to come off the bench especially after looking at these split stats. And its a no brainer that Bell is better than Miles at shooting and man to man defense. Miles will be great off the bench because he can play both position. AK and Bell can really only play 1 position consistently.
NotDeadYet
Well-Known Member
One of the strengths of our roster is it's versatility. CJ was switched to SF due to issues on D at SG. SF's the position he played as he improved his game last season. Given his youth (just turned 23) and still fragile psyche, it would be a bit risky to move him back to SG. Yes, he does seem to play better starting, but then so does AK. Coming off the bench doesn't seem to bother AK as much. He also played a fair amount of PF.
To get really radical, her's what I'd do (except against the Lakers):
PG Williams/Price
SG Bell/Miles/Hayward (w/o Bell, D here won't be pretty)
SF Miles/Kirilenko/Hayward (Miles sits, AK goes to SF, Millsap in)
PF Kirilenko/Millsap/Jefferson (When AK sits, Hayward comes in at SF)
C Jefferson/Okur/Fes
To get really radical, her's what I'd do (except against the Lakers):
PG Williams/Price
SG Bell/Miles/Hayward (w/o Bell, D here won't be pretty)
SF Miles/Kirilenko/Hayward (Miles sits, AK goes to SF, Millsap in)
PF Kirilenko/Millsap/Jefferson (When AK sits, Hayward comes in at SF)
C Jefferson/Okur/Fes
NotDeadYet
Well-Known Member
Nice stats, TT! Interesting; the thing we don't know is what position were AK (SF or PF) and CJ (SF or SG) playing when starting vs coming off the bench? Also, I think AK has the added task of passing more with the 2nd unit when Ronnie Price is in the game. Not looking to shoot as much, plus he loves to cut to the basket, but w/o DWill, who's gonna get him the ball for those easy dunks/layups?
Twin Towers
Well-Known Member
I really really wish Sloan would use AK at the PG spot on offense when Price was in the game. Its like Sloan doesn't remember what AK did against the Warriors in the playoffs. But Sloan never uses AK like he should. AK likes to pass more than he likes to score in my opinion.
With constant ball movement AK can get those easy dunks and layups just like he did when we had Carlos Arroyo in the 2003-2004 year. Sloan needs to watch tape on AK and realize what made him special.
NotDeadYet
Well-Known Member
As always, TT, there is truth in what you say! Jerry's downfall has always been in not easily adapting his system to the skills of his personnel. AK is much more about being a playmaker (cutting or passing) than about shooting. He really struggles to keep his dribble when pressured by shorter, quicker guys, though, so I'd want another good dribbler/playmaker paired with AK. I am eager to see him and Hayward together, as I understand Hayward is also a good passer and playmaker.