TBH I'm glad to have Forbes back with the knowledge that Pop knows the focal points and the youth will be given a shot. The idea of him starting or coming in with an assumed large role was nauseating to say the least. But having someone who knows the system and who is at the very least gonna come to work and push everyone; in that sense it's a good thing. Championship experience or not he is a champion and was a solid contributor until he needed to be taken out. Got to give the guy his due. It's not like he was someone who rode the pine for a year and got an easy ring like Gerard King or something... I think his presence will only help the team as long as his game presence doesn't effect the outcome in a negative way. He is a very useful player as a fringe rotation player in a way that Steve Kerr use to be.
Not gonna lie, haven't been this excited about a Spurs team since we signed LMA. Plan on investing in some Att... I think this team may be a surprise team in the league and I have really high expectations from Primo... I think he could be really special and in the mold of the Kobes and MJs of the world. He's got that same kind of focus and passion... And his form isn't there yet but if he could perfect it, I think he could have a very polished game. IMO he can do everything like Kobe and MJ could, but I think he needs to be a shooting guard. Getting reps at point isn't gonna affect that. He is special IMO; very special. As of now I think Keldon and him are future All Stars. Lonnie needs to find his niche already; I mean he's a slasher/shooter type but it hasn't been mastered. I don't know how he fits long term. He's starting to look like that odd man out, but his ceiling is a highly combustible scorer so he just needs to be very aggressive while playing smart. Dejounte would make a great 3rd piece. DWhite in a Ginobili role would be perfect. And if Vassell could be some sort of Ariza in his prime type player I think he would be fine. I think he has elite role player potential as a glue guy, defender and spot up shooter.
Ideally I see a Primo led attack followed by KJ and then Dejounte. White can lead the bench as he is at his best facilitating the rock. I think Poetl would be better with him as they work really well together but Jock may be second there.
I find Jock's skillset very tantalizing. I mean if he was a rookie with that skillset and he was at a top program he would be a lottery pick IMO. He can pick and roll, and pick and pop, and is a great finisher. His shot doesn't look modern in the aspect of just shooting to shoot. He has a pure form. I'd love to see him with the starters. I think he would fit very well there and you can squeeze another shooter in.
For me this is what I'd like to see;
Starters; DJ, Primo, KJ, Doug, Jock
DJ, Lonnie, KJ, Doug, Jock
Most likely IMO; DJ, Lonnie, Devin, KJ, Poetl
I think this team will really struggle with spacing unless two can be close to knockdown shooters. But defensively they would be very tenacious and I'd assume start the game like that and help build the mentality and set the tone.
To me the odd guys out are Devin and Poetl because. Especially Jak; he's just been so soft in the middle. I think a tough Aussie like Jock could really push him and light a fire, so I think he will have a great year cause he has to. As for Devin, I know his Defense is great and if he is a knockdown shooter, then yeah replace him with Doug, but Doug a vet and has offense in himself with his movement. I don't know how mobile Jock is and if the focus is rebuilding the D then yeah that might not work but... as far as matching skill sets I think it is very balanced and he won't be expected to do much. It would quite literally be the same reason why Pop gave so much burn to Trey Lyles...
As for the Bench I'd like to see;
DW, Lonnie, Devin, Thad, and Poetl - Solid defense, plenty of scoring and vet leadership. Could be one of the best benches in the league IMO.
DW, Primo, Devin, Thad, and Poetl - Gives the kid a chance to earn his stripes before starting and lets Lonnie control his fate.
Most Likely;
DW, Bryn, Primo, Doug, Thad - Lacking on D with doubled the weak links, offensively could be explosive and give a spark you typically want from the bench, could be very compe ive or go sideways fast.