(05-31-2020, 09:26 AM)DanSchwartzman Wrote: There is a pretty sizable drop-off to date between Powell/Brunson and WCS/JJB. The latter two were both underwater in on-court/off-court while lineups with Powell or Brunson were positive. Powell was a starter averaging 26.5 minutes while WCS was a bit player averaging 12 minutes in games he was used at all. Barea will be able to run the show offensively as he always has for spurts. The question is whether we can put enough D around him to keep from losing ground when he’s on the court.I don't disagree with you at all. The current talent/contributions of all names considered is sizeable. However, JJB has had time to get some rest after being able to play some after his surgery, there might be SOME reason to think he COULD go on a small run of stellar play, esp seeing as we need him to. If he can get to last year's ability, there won't be much of a drop off from Brunson if there is one at all (I realize that is best case scenario). It really stems on that though, cause his ability to get back to that makes WCS that much more dangerous if those two can develop enough chemistry together to connect on 3/4 of the lobs JJB used to throw to DP.
Little known fact...Courtney Lee averaged 18.9 mpg in the 14 games post the trade deadline. My reference to the success of the bench being dependent on how well Lee stayed in shape the last 3 months was a reference to this. I suspect he will get more minutes than either Barea or WCS. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me to see him start and Curry come off the bench. If Curry starts then Lee, Wright and Kleber can help protect Barea. But, if Lee starts, then Curry and Wright will get most of the bench ball-handling duties and Barea’s role will be diminished.
I also agree that Lee's contribution is a big lynch pin in all this. I think RC will play him as a starter as he tends to like keeping second string players in the roles that they're used to and leap frog third string players (esp veterans) to the starting unit.