This thread is long overdue, but we need to talk shop here for a bit and there might even be a play for ya when all said and done...
Let's look at the ugliness to start:
This is simply put, a mess.
What do they do well?
Now, injuries happen and that most definitely has been a very big issue. Your best shooter has just gotten back into action. The star center has been sidelined multiple times with different lower body injuries. The veteran you traded for has yet to see the floor. Those are KEY pieces. When you have a team that has limited shooting, losing your best one is highly noticeable.
What else is highly noticeable? The youth on this team. Simply put, they are very young. Imagine a full season with Bojan and Morris and we're talking about several wins during this streak. Shooting and experience should never be discounted.
Now, the elephant in the room -- Coach Monty Williams.
I liked the hiring. The available choices were not exactly endearing to myself. Yes, I know of Monty's previous stops, and I was less than impressed with the defensive efforts of previous teams. With all that being said, I figured he would be an upgrade from Casey. So far, that is up for debate.
Here are my issues with Coach:
Now, most in the Detroit area are all over Weaver's ass. I understand this -- to a point. While his draft picks haven't been bad at all, his trades and roster construction have been questionable at best. Okay, if you want to try and make a reclamation project out of a center, that is fine and dandy. There is no reason to try that with MULTIPLE centers. Also, why did he stockpile the roster with guards this off-season? Monty wants to evaluate, so the roster moves you make are a underwhelming guards and centers? Good grief.
Luck plays a big part in life. Sometimes you create your own luck , and other times that is determined for you.
The draft has been mostly bad luck (and bad selections by prior management)...
So, let us talk about my favorite conundrum, the Ivey and Killian situation...
Okay, Killian Hayes was a bust. Last year, he improved and turned into a serviceable NBA player. He should be able to hang around for many years. With that being said, he isn't and wasn't going to be part of the future of this team. Sometime between February and July was the time to 'sell' him at what will be his highest value. Nope, here he is getting starts in a jammed backcourt.
Then there is Jaden Ivey. He had the rookie ups and downs last year until really blossoming the last 6 weeks of the year. Granted, this happens a lot with a bad team letting a young guy run the show (Cade absent). Either way, he looked to be ascending to start this season. Enter Monty Williams. Now, I understand wanting to have your starters all giving effort on defense. I understand that Killian is better in that department. But Monty has constantly rotated these guys in and out. The minutes for Ivey differ so much you really cannot even begin to understand what is happening. I'd say players are being rewarded and vice-versa, but when I have watched I am not seeing that in totality. Monty has killed his confidence. Period.
Also, along the lines of Hayes, they needed to trade Bojan at the deadline last year when his value was peaked. At the least, this past summer. He has always been a favorite of mine, but the fact is he is well past peaked. Hopefully they do something for his benefit this winter.
Going back to roster management. Why the two centers approach? Why no stretch 4? As good as Weaver is finding talent in his young career, he seems to have lost the plot on building a team.
So, where do they go from here?
Great question. I'll be honest, Gores is an awful owner. He is at his best getting trashed courtside and staying out of things. But that isn't working. He wanted a star player years back and the terrible Blake Griffin trade was made. I really wish he would sell. Nothing good has happened since he has purchased the team. They left a suitable arena and the hirings have been less than stellar. Now, that isn't likely to happen. So, does Weaver go? Does he get down to business and start constructing this team? This upcoming draft is not good at all, so expect the #1 pick this time. Whether he is the man to do this, or they blow up the front office remains to be seen. Monty will be here, that money makes this a long-term relationship.
My hope, short-term:
With this current group, SETTLE on a line-up and let these young lines build together. From there, you can see who will be part of this long-term. Simply put, this constant changing of line-ups and minutes needs to stop. I am not banking on that though. Trade some of these guys who are not part of the future. Find ANY kind of shooting. This team plays bad defense and cannot shoot. That doesn't go well in the modern NBA.
Now, how do we go about betting with this team?
You've gotten this far with my drivel so time to start capping things...
The bottom had really fallen out last week. Some of those in-game scores were frightening. I think I saw Milwaukee up 54-26 at one point. We still have 2/3 of the season to go, they have to suck it up and be somewhat competitive. The game Monday night against the Hawks showed some character. No, they didn't win, but they fought all game and never gave up. That is a start, but they seem to do that every 4-6 games then start being blown out again. Bogey has been back for 8 games now, that helps. But, Duren is now on the shelf. Injuries, ugh. We'll see if Monty can show some consistency with a lineup or two. I am not banking on it. We'll start following this team each game and try to find some plays...
The bottom line is the value should start showing towards Detroit. Key word, should. We'll talk about each game independently moving forward, please add any and all plays to the thread!!
Let's look at the ugliness to start:
- They STARTED 2-1
- They have lost 24 STRAIGHT since that opening weekend.
- Of those, 16 have been by 9 points or MORE.
- They have had 10 different players START a game.
- They are 26th in points ALLOWED.
- They are 28th in points SCORED.
- They are LAST in 3pt makes per game.
- They are LAST in 3pt attempts per game.
- They are LAST in 3pt percentage.
- They are 28th in STEALS per game.
- They are 29th in TURNOVERS per game.
- They average the MOST fouls per game in the association.
- Monte Morris has YET to play.
- The best shooter (Bogey) has ONLY played 8 games.
This is simply put, a mess.
What do they do well?
- They share the ball well (middle of the pack)
- They rebound solid enough (middle of the pack)
- They block some shots (middle of the pack)
- They make their FT's (solid percentage)
Now, injuries happen and that most definitely has been a very big issue. Your best shooter has just gotten back into action. The star center has been sidelined multiple times with different lower body injuries. The veteran you traded for has yet to see the floor. Those are KEY pieces. When you have a team that has limited shooting, losing your best one is highly noticeable.
What else is highly noticeable? The youth on this team. Simply put, they are very young. Imagine a full season with Bojan and Morris and we're talking about several wins during this streak. Shooting and experience should never be discounted.
Now, the elephant in the room -- Coach Monty Williams.
I liked the hiring. The available choices were not exactly endearing to myself. Yes, I know of Monty's previous stops, and I was less than impressed with the defensive efforts of previous teams. With all that being said, I figured he would be an upgrade from Casey. So far, that is up for debate.
Here are my issues with Coach:
- He refuses to stick with a lineup.
- He refuses to stick with a rotation.
- He wanted to "evaluate" the roster this season -- HENCE -- they were not aggressive in free agency.
- He has killed the confidence of Ivey.
Now, most in the Detroit area are all over Weaver's ass. I understand this -- to a point. While his draft picks haven't been bad at all, his trades and roster construction have been questionable at best. Okay, if you want to try and make a reclamation project out of a center, that is fine and dandy. There is no reason to try that with MULTIPLE centers. Also, why did he stockpile the roster with guards this off-season? Monty wants to evaluate, so the roster moves you make are a underwhelming guards and centers? Good grief.
Luck plays a big part in life. Sometimes you create your own luck , and other times that is determined for you.
The draft has been mostly bad luck (and bad selections by prior management)...
- Killian Hayes over Haliburton
- Stewart and Bey were 'solid' picks, but you have Maxey available there as well
- Cade was the pick at #1, not much to complain about other than he is likely at a ceiling of solid starter (20-8-6 kind of guy)
- Duren was a daft move.
- Ivey is still to be determined.
- Worst record and pick 5th this year.
- Ausur has potential.
- Sasser looks like a heckuva pick.
So, let us talk about my favorite conundrum, the Ivey and Killian situation...
Okay, Killian Hayes was a bust. Last year, he improved and turned into a serviceable NBA player. He should be able to hang around for many years. With that being said, he isn't and wasn't going to be part of the future of this team. Sometime between February and July was the time to 'sell' him at what will be his highest value. Nope, here he is getting starts in a jammed backcourt.
Then there is Jaden Ivey. He had the rookie ups and downs last year until really blossoming the last 6 weeks of the year. Granted, this happens a lot with a bad team letting a young guy run the show (Cade absent). Either way, he looked to be ascending to start this season. Enter Monty Williams. Now, I understand wanting to have your starters all giving effort on defense. I understand that Killian is better in that department. But Monty has constantly rotated these guys in and out. The minutes for Ivey differ so much you really cannot even begin to understand what is happening. I'd say players are being rewarded and vice-versa, but when I have watched I am not seeing that in totality. Monty has killed his confidence. Period.
Also, along the lines of Hayes, they needed to trade Bojan at the deadline last year when his value was peaked. At the least, this past summer. He has always been a favorite of mine, but the fact is he is well past peaked. Hopefully they do something for his benefit this winter.
Going back to roster management. Why the two centers approach? Why no stretch 4? As good as Weaver is finding talent in his young career, he seems to have lost the plot on building a team.
So, where do they go from here?
Great question. I'll be honest, Gores is an awful owner. He is at his best getting trashed courtside and staying out of things. But that isn't working. He wanted a star player years back and the terrible Blake Griffin trade was made. I really wish he would sell. Nothing good has happened since he has purchased the team. They left a suitable arena and the hirings have been less than stellar. Now, that isn't likely to happen. So, does Weaver go? Does he get down to business and start constructing this team? This upcoming draft is not good at all, so expect the #1 pick this time. Whether he is the man to do this, or they blow up the front office remains to be seen. Monty will be here, that money makes this a long-term relationship.
My hope, short-term:
With this current group, SETTLE on a line-up and let these young lines build together. From there, you can see who will be part of this long-term. Simply put, this constant changing of line-ups and minutes needs to stop. I am not banking on that though. Trade some of these guys who are not part of the future. Find ANY kind of shooting. This team plays bad defense and cannot shoot. That doesn't go well in the modern NBA.
Now, how do we go about betting with this team?
You've gotten this far with my drivel so time to start capping things...
The bottom had really fallen out last week. Some of those in-game scores were frightening. I think I saw Milwaukee up 54-26 at one point. We still have 2/3 of the season to go, they have to suck it up and be somewhat competitive. The game Monday night against the Hawks showed some character. No, they didn't win, but they fought all game and never gave up. That is a start, but they seem to do that every 4-6 games then start being blown out again. Bogey has been back for 8 games now, that helps. But, Duren is now on the shelf. Injuries, ugh. We'll see if Monty can show some consistency with a lineup or two. I am not banking on it. We'll start following this team each game and try to find some plays...
The bottom line is the value should start showing towards Detroit. Key word, should. We'll talk about each game independently moving forward, please add any and all plays to the thread!!
