If we need a PG to eventually replace Miller, it will have to be a good PG. Neither Rudy, or Bayless or Joel can be traded for such. It will have to be a core player. To me, the most expendable is Batum. Why? Frankly, I think Cunningham is a more than adequate replacement. In some ways, Cunningham is a better player. Maybe not ioverall, but in some ways. Batum + either Mayless or Rudy should be enough to land us a PG we can really trust to take us to the next level.
Every team with championship aspirations needs EXACTLY the kind of player that Nic is. He jumped from a 12.5 PER to 17.5, he shot over 50% from the floor and 40%+ from three, he defended (well) the opponent's best scorer or point guard night in and night out and he didn't need somebody setting him up or specifically trying to get him going to be effective. And lastly, as much I generally like Dante's game, he's no replacement for Nic ... and neither is Martell. GTFO indeed.
I'm not 100% set against trading Batum, but I'd rather not. He's trending upwards and demonstrates that he is going to be a capable offensive player and a potentially tremendous defensive one. Unless we can get a potential stud at the PG spot, I don't think trading Batum makes sense. Ed O.
I agree with the OP that Cunningham will eventually settle into the small forward spot... or, rather, if he ever is more than a bench-level player, it will be because of an ability to play the three. Ed O.
CUNNINGHAM IS NOT A SF! I'm tired of these morons! Cunningham is a good power forward, BUT he is too slow to be a SF. Get it out of your head!
I think the draft is a better route to get our PG. Rondo, Lawson, Collison etc. all were low 1st round picks.
Re: CUNNINGHAM IS NOT A SF! Is it really necessary to attack other posters personally because you disagree with us? And if you REALLY think we're "morons" like Cunningham is a "good PF", then maybe it's a compliment... because Dante's not a good PF. Ed O.
I'm also in the camp that DC will be a kind of Tweener. Big for a SF, small for a PF.. not just STRICTLY a PF.
Dante is a nice enough player for the end of the bench, but let's not get carried away. To trade Batum, you'd better be getting a major stud back - and someone young enough to be around for awhile.
Looking at that list makes me laugh at a post in here a few months ago that said Andre Miller was a top 5 point guard in the league. Is he even top 10? The top 5 are Williams, Rondo, Paul, Rose, and Nash, right? Then there's Chauncey Billips, Jason Kidd, Nelson, Mo Williams, Tony Parker, and Russell Westbrook. How about Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Aaron Brooks, and Devin Harris? Geez- is Andre Miller even top 15? Rank your top 10. I'm curious.
why? cunningham has not shown any ability to play the small forward position in the pros. he also hasn't played the small forward position at any level as far as i know. assuming that he settles into a position that he's never played and lacks the skill set to play doesn't really make sense.
no andre miller is not top 10 and is at best at the very bottom of the top 15. and i've been saying it all along. he's an average starter at his position.
He has demonstrated the ability based on what I've seen with his jumper and his defensive quickness. He has also demonstrated that he is too small to be effective as a power forward. He might never become anything in the league, but if he does it will be at the small forward spot. Ed O.
so you're projecting that his defensive quickness at the pf spot with translate to being quick defensively at the sf spot as well? same with his jumper. it's good(or good enough for a bench player) as a big man. as a perimeter guy, it's not.
