Changing the team’s dynamic on offense changes everything

[Dejounte]

https://x.com/polarfall/status/1886732741171143106?s=46

https://x.com/polarfall/status/1886732742727229941?s=46

https://x.com/polarfall/status/1886740256088842642?s=46

Let’s see what taking away the ball from our inefficient chuckers and giving it to someone else does for our team since it seems to have a huge impact for other teams. Winning streak here we come?

I’ve always said a team is as good as its top two/three players. Obviously, chemistry factors in too so it will take some time. Patience is needed to see how this new pecking order affects everybody. It might turn our worst players into competent ones.

[CGD]

It’s a double edge sword. We have one of the best passers in the league in Paul, even now, but he’s largely been a complete nonfactor on point production. In todays league you need better production from you backcourt over all, especially when Dev is slumping.

[RC_Drunkford]

Fox should change a lot, but we really need our players to slot into their natural positions. For that we still need a back up C.

[ginobilized]

We need a lot of things, but, I see a Franz Wagner type connector as the finishing piece for this squad. A PF who can pass, rebound and defend as well as finish when needed would be the perfect counter-point to Wemby. Legit 6'9" who knows how to play would be ideal. Supernatural athleticism not required. These guys are rare and expensive. Probably have to find this in the draft. Avdija is a great example of how he has opened up the Blazers game.

Of course, a true banger of a backup center would be useful, too.

Lastly, it truly looks to me like our guys are just wildly out of position to do much of anything meaningful on offense. Too much standing around, head down dribbling. CP3 is running out of gas. He was orchestrating things (seemingly) earlier this season. Fox won't solve everything and it might be wise to just get him repaired now and ride out another trip to the basketball gallows.

[Dejounte]

We need a lot of things, but, I see a Franz Wagner type connector as the finishing piece for this squad. A PF who can pass, rebound and defend as well as finish when needed would be the perfect counter-point to Wemby. Legit 6'9" who knows how to play would be ideal. Supernatural athleticism not required. These guys are rare and expensive. Probably have to find this in the draft. Avdija is a great example of how he has opened up the Blazers game.

Of course, a true banger of a backup center would be useful, too.

Lastly, it truly looks to me like our guys are just wildly out of position to do much of anything meaningful on offense. Too much standing around, head down dribbling. CP3 is running out of gas. He was orchestrating things (seemingly) earlier this season. Fox won't solve everything and it might be wise to just get him repaired now and ride out another trip to the basketball gallows.

Egor Demin tbh

[TrainOfThought5]

We need a lot of things, but, I see a Franz Wagner type connector as the finishing piece for this squad. A PF who can pass, rebound and defend as well as finish when needed would be the perfect counter-point to Wemby. Legit 6'9" who knows how to play would be ideal. Supernatural athleticism not required. These guys are rare and expensive. Probably have to find this in the draft. Avdija is a great example of how he has opened up the Blazers game.

Of course, a true banger of a backup center would be useful, too.

Lastly, it truly looks to me like our guys are just wildly out of position to do much of anything meaningful on offense. Too much standing around, head down dribbling. CP3 is running out of gas. He was orchestrating things (seemingly) earlier this season. Fox won't solve everything and it might be wise to just get him repaired now and ride out another trip to the basketball gallows.

this is our last opportunity to soft tank and add superior, cheap talent through the draft. I’m not against it.

[LeBowen]

I think Franz Wagner tier, max contract players after Fox trade are unrealistic unless it's KD or another veteran who won't be on a max deal when Wemby's extension kicks in.
We should be looking at the tier below with the names we already mentioned.

The likes of Naz Reid, Aldama, John Collins or PJ Washington should be the target.
I don't think creation will be an issue next season. Fox/Castle/Wemby trio should be at more than 15 assists between them.

One of those mentioned PFs and a legit backup big is all we need for the next season, imo.
All we need to be a playoff team, then we decide on how to move forward depending on how it functions.

A year later we'll need a 6th man three level scorer to complete a three man guard rotation with Fox and Castle.
Someone similar to Monk, Coby White, Sexton.
And a Barnes replacement in that 3-D role.

Fox/Castle/Barnes/PF/Wemby
CP3/Devin/Champ/Jeremy/C

That should be the next season's rotation.
I really don't see how Keldon fits this team and I don't see how can Devin be useful as a starter.
They'll probably get one more chance to prove themselves, but I don't see it.
Jeremy's extension will determine his fate, I'd like to keep him as the glue guy, but if he asks for too much just trade him.

[KingKev]

I think Franz Wagner tier, max contract players after Fox trade are unrealistic unless it's KD or another veteran who won't be on a max deal when Wemby's extension kicks in.
We should be looking at the tier below with the names we already mentioned.

The likes of Naz Reid, Aldama, John Collins or PJ Washington should be the target.
I don't think creation will be an issue next season. Fox/Castle/Wemby trio should be at more than 15 assists between them.

One of those mentioned PFs and a legit backup big is all we need for the next season, imo.
All we need to be a playoff team, then we decide on how to move forward depending on how it functions.

A year later we'll need a 6th man three level scorer to complete a three man guard rotation with Fox and Castle.
Someone similar to Monk, Coby White, Sexton.
And a Barnes replacement in that 3-D role.

Fox/Castle/Barnes/PF/Wemby
CP3/Devin/Champ/Jeremy/C

That should be the next season's rotation.
I really don't see how Keldon fits this team and I don't see how can Devin be useful as a starter.
They'll probably get one more chance to prove themselves, but I don't see it.
Jeremy's extension will determine his fate, I'd like to keep him as the glue guy, but if he asks for too much just trade him.

This is a very realistic strategy. Throw in some luck in the 2025 draft (not just the lottery balls but actual drafting) and we will be well positioned to start really competing long term.

[Dex]

Fox should change a lot, but we really need our players to slot into their natural positions. For that we still need a back up C.

I wonder if Bonner is available

[ambchang]

Issue goes back to coaching. PATFO used to be the best in designing a system that amplifies the players strengths (forcing players along the baseline to take advantage of the twin towers, 4down because nobody else creates, integrating manu and Tony using their speed, changing the game to feature Manu’s passing in the late 00s, then again to take advantage of Tony’s penetration and finishing in the early 10s, then the motion offense with the smart players) now it’s having an antiquated system and forcing players into those roles. The results are understandably and predictably disastrous.

[LeBowen]

Issue goes back to coaching. PATFO used to be the best in designing a system that amplifies the players strengths (forcing players along the baseline to take advantage of the twin towers, 4down because nobody else creates, integrating manu and Tony using their speed, changing the game to feature Manu’s passing in the late 00s, then again to take advantage of Tony’s penetration and finishing in the early 10s, then the motion offense with the smart players) now it’s having an antiquated system and forcing players into those roles. The results are understandably and predictably disastrous.

I wouldn't call the system antiquated, it's just that most players aren't suited for it.
They either have to replace those players or adjust the system. Pounding the rock won't work because Keldon nothing good will ever come out of letting Keldon initiate sets.

[RC_Drunkford]

I‘m pretty sure we don’t have a system right now. Would be nice if we had a coach that can create one

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I‘m pretty sure we don’t have a system right now. Would be nice if we had a coach that can create one

Feels that way to me too. Pop is obviously limited right now and with him absent, an interim coach doesn’t have the power to instill their own philosophy. Johnson’s just the substitute teacher trying to follow the notes left on the desk while the real teacher’s out sick.

Feels like we’re still kind of looking to next season even with the Fox trade. We’re just rolling the ball out and letting the guys play, which is why this team is so wildly inconsistent on any given night.