Few thoughts on the players, in order of most impressed:
1. Favors. The defense is obvious, the signs of an offensive player show up every game. He'll never be a PnR monster like healthy Stoudemire, but he's already better than Chandler. His contract is phenomenal.
2. Burks. Most impressed by his passing. Shooting on jumpers a close second. His game is a little constrained as he learns to play within an offense, but he needs more license to just take guys off the dribble. We only see this when the shot clock is winding down (and as a side note, there should be a concerted effort to get the ball in his hands when the shot clock is winding down). A good coach (not Ty) would set him free a little more. He's obviously a better driver one on one than on the PnR and that skill is being stifled. Alec's future in the league is on a team (I hope its ours) that lets him beat the guy right in front of him when he sees mismatches.
3. Burke. I thought he was going to be a dud but he's proved me wrong. He's not a great shooter, but he has this uncanny ability to make needed shots, and his propensity for great games gives me a lot of hope. He also has great potential as a PnR playmaker. Like Burks, he has an unteachable attribute: he doesn't care. He will play the same way every game and is totally convinced he will make the next shot he takes even if he's missed the last 100.
4. Hayward. Unlike Burke and Burks, Hayward pretends at confidence. On bad shooting nights (which are often) his tactic is to "aggressively" drive (with no idea of shooting) and kick. It's translating into assists, but at some point teams will realize he has no hope to score on the drive, will stay home on the perimeter, and let him flail one on one if he has the nerve to actually shoot. His flaws this season are predictable. He's always been a poor driver, a poor finisher on drives, he hasn't developed a runner, and he's shooting about 8 more times than he should on a more talented team. That said, I'm impressed he's stayed healthy, his transition D is superb, and he has great passing instincts. Not as good as AK in his prime, but better in some areas. In current terms, he's a less talented Gallinari, but should be a very useful starter on the right team so long as he's not overpaid.
Otherwise, Kanter just needs to play more (hard to figure out his minutes), Jeremy has been surprisingly useful, and I wish Gobert was playing. Otherwise, I don't care about any other player we have.
