Barton: ready to contribute?

[Natebishop3]

Has Will earned a spot in the regular rotation next year? What are your thoughts?

Vs Houston - 9 points, 6 boards, 4 assists

Vs Dallas - 22 points, 13 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals

Vs Lakers - 9 points, 2 assists, 2 steals

Vs OKC - 18 points, 7 boards, 2 steals

Vs Lakers - 17 points, 9 boards, 5 assists

Vs Clippers - 17 points, 6 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals

He's certainly a lot further along than I thought he'd be.

 

[blazedanugz]

if he can put on some muscle id say yes

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

well, he needs to really up his bball IQ and shooting. at times he's a HUGE liability and disrupter of the offense. I'm thinking he'll be the 6th man next year off the bench....he's good if we're running and playing in transition...works hard and can score decently....just has to get more experience so he's not so raw out there.

 

[Natebishop3]

well, he needs to really up his bball IQ and shooting. at times he's a HUGE liability and disrupter of the offense. I'm thinking he'll be the 6th man next year off the bench....he's good if we're running and playing in transition...works hard and can score decently....just has to get more experience so he's not so raw out there.

I just like how he plays the passing lanes. He's always a threat to get a steal. I'd like to see him get a few blocks here and there as well.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

No. Look at his percentages and turnovers.

If he got those in check? Sure.

 

[Natebishop3]

No. Look at his percentages and turnovers.

If he got those in check? Sure.

Damian's percentages aren't looking so hot lately either. I think it just goes with being a rookie who is finally getting some consistent PT.

 

[magnifier661]

I know he's young and he's far from being "starter caliber" for this team. I think he can be a serviceable back-up though. He does have the talent to be a starter someday. He just needs to learn more control.

I saw how badly Kobe disrespected him defensively. He sagged off him and got into his head. Don't let shit like that happen again youngster!

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Damian's percentages aren't looking so hot lately either. I think it just goes with being a rookie who is finally getting some consistent PT.

Damian hasn't shot as well as I hoped but I don't think you can compare the two situations at all.

Damian gets the best backcourt defender from the other team and we are overplaying him at least 5 minutes a game. Not to mention lately he is the only offensive threat so he almost has to shoot.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Damian's percentages aren't looking so hot lately either. I think it just goes with being a rookie who is finally getting some consistent PT.

watch the game and then post.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

He's definitely improved his passing; at the beginning of the season, he only got assists by accident.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

SG version of D-miles?

 

[Natebishop3]

Damian hasn't shot as well as I hoped but I don't think you can compare the two situations at all.

Damian gets the best backcourt defender from the other team and we are overplaying him at least 5 minutes a game. Not to mention lately he is the only offensive threat so he almost has to shoot.

But my point is, Damian hasn't shot well over that same span.

Dame/Will

Vs Houston 4-12 / 4-9

Vs Dallas 6-19 / 7-11

Vs Lakers 12-25 / 4-12

Vs OKC 3-14 / 8-19

Vs Denver 10-17 / 5-8

Vs Clippers 4-12 / 8-14

So I'm really not sure where you're getting that he's shooting a poor percentage.

4-9 (44%)
7-11 (63%)
4-12 (33%)
8-19 (42%)
5-8 (62.5%)
8-14 (57%)

43-73 (58%)

There were a couple less than great games FG% wise, but the rest were stellar I would think.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I have no doubt he will improve. They almost always do from year 1 to year 2. The answer to Will being a contributor next year, will depend on how much he improves. I have high hopes. But he needs to work on his body and his outside shot.

 

[Natebishop3]

I have no doubt he will improve. They almost always do from year 1 to year 2. The answer to Will being a contributor next year, will depend on how much he improves. I have high hopes. But he needs to work on his body and his outside shot.

I don't know if he's going to be a shooter. That doesn't really seem like his strength. He's a scrappy athlete that can drive and play defense.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Yes. Obvious needed improvements aside, he is good at getting his own shot in transition, could cause havoc on defense, and actually seems like he wants to rebound. With more experience to cut down on stupid plays he'll be a good 6th man.

 

[BBert]

I don't know if he's going to be a shooter. That doesn't really seem like his strength. He's a scrappy athlete that can drive and play defense.

And rebound (for a SG).

 

[magnifier661]

I don't know if he's going to be a shooter. That doesn't really seem like his strength. He's a scrappy athlete that can drive and play defense.

Like a Ruben Patterson without the rape charge?

 

[BBert]

Well he's not going to overpower anyone, but he can worm his way around in traffic and get a shot off pretty much any time he wants.

 

[Natebishop3]

And rebound (for a SG).

Yes, he seems like an above average rebounder for a SG. The guy fills up the stat sheet, that's for sure. Over that span of six games he's averaging

15.3 ppg, 7 boards, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and shooting 58% from the field. Not bad.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Has Will earned a spot in the regular rotation next year? What are your thoughts?

Vs Houston - 9 points, 6 boards, 4 assists

Vs Dallas - 22 points, 13 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals

Vs Lakers - 9 points, 2 assists, 2 steals

Vs OKC - 18 points, 7 boards, 2 steals

Vs Lakers - 17 points, 9 boards, 5 assists

Vs Clippers - 17 points, 6 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals

He's certainly a lot further along than I thought he'd be.

Until a defense actually prepares for him, I say no.

 

[Natebishop3]

Until a defense actually prepares for him, I say no.

We're at the end of the year and he's currently starting... you don't think a defense has scouted him or is prepared for him? The guy isn't going to be an All-Star, and I'm not even saying he's our starter long term, but I think he's earned the backup shooting guard spot.

 

[Ed O]

We're at the end of the year and he's currently starting... you don't think a defense has scouted him or is prepared for him? The guy isn't going to be an All-Star, and I'm not even saying he's our starter long term, but I think he's earned the backup shooting guard spot.

If he's the backup shooting guard next year it's more an indictment of the team than it is a tribute to him as a player, IMO.

Not to be too obvious, but shooting guards should be able to, you know, shoot. And make shots at a reasonable rate. Barton can't.

Ed O.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

We're at the end of the year and he's currently starting... you don't think a defense has scouted him or is prepared for him? The guy isn't going to be an All-Star, and I'm not even saying he's our starter long term, but I think he's earned the backup shooting guard spot.

Unless Matthews is traded then there is no way Barton is backup SG.

We are bringing a MLE guy or (or stud draft pick) in at the SG position. Matthews may start for a while longer but ultimately I think he becomes the backup.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

If he's the backup shooting guard next year it's more an indictment of the team than it is a tribute to him as a player, IMO.

Not to be too obvious, but shooting guards should be able to, you know, shoot. And make shots at a reasonable rate. Barton can't.

Ed O.

Agreed; right now he's a slasher with below-average ball handling skills. If he can develop a shot out to 20 feet, he'll be a good backup. If he can develop a shot out to 25 feet, he could start someday. But these are big things to ask right now.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

But my point is, Damian hasn't shot well over that same span.

Dame/Will

Vs Houston 4-12 / 4-9

Vs Dallas 6-19 / 7-11

Vs Lakers 12-25 / 4-12

Vs OKC 3-14 / 8-19

Vs Denver 10-17 / 5-8

Vs Clippers 4-12 / 8-14

So I'm really not sure where you're getting that he's shooting a poor percentage.

4-9 (44%)
7-11 (63%)
4-12 (33%)
8-19 (42%)
5-8 (62.5%)
8-14 (57%)

43-73 (58%)

There were a couple less than great games FG% wise, but the rest were stellar I would think.

What I am saying is that Dame is gassed. He shouldn't be playing right now honestly. At least not the minutes that he has. He played 40 plus minutes in a HUGE blowout last night. The first night of a back to back.

If Barton was playing those minutes, taking those amount of shots, and getting that kind of attention from the defense in the last month then I wouldn't be worried about his shooting or turnovers.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Not to be too obvious, but shooting guards should be able to, you know, shoot. And make shots at a reasonable rate. Barton can't.

Ed O.

There are obviously different types of shots and therefore different types of shooters. For instance Rudy was a pretty good outside shooter, but his mid range pull up jumpers off the dribble....sucked.

Wes is also this type of shooter. I think the league is full of players who are good "set shot" shooters, but are not very good at getting in the lane and scoring. But I think Barton will be. Right now he does not have the long distance range, but his mid range pull up J is decent.

 

[Ed O]

There are obviously different types of shots and therefore different types of shooters. For instance Rudy was a pretty good outside shooter, but his mid range pull up jumpers off the dribble....sucked.

Wes is also this type of shooter. I think the league is full of players who are good "set shot" shooters, but are not very good at getting in the lane and scoring. But I think Barton will be. Right now he does not have the long distance range, but his mid range pull up J is decent.

I don't care if he shoots 38% standing still or 38% taking the most difficult shots in the world. Either way it's terrible and I want a guy who shoots a higher percentage... especially if he doesn't hit any three pointers, so it's an empty 38%.

Ed O.

 

[Natebishop3]

If he's the backup shooting guard next year it's more an indictment of the team than it is a tribute to him as a player, IMO.

Not to be too obvious, but shooting guards should be able to, you know, shoot. And make shots at a reasonable rate. Barton can't.

Ed O.

He only started getting regular minutes about six games ago.

Explain how 15.3 ppg, 7 boards, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and shooting 58% is not making shots at a reasonable rate?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Barton reminds me of a less-refined Rubberband Man (aka Stacey Augmon).

 

[Boise Blazer]

Barton could do wonders for his game by becoming at least decent from 3. It would open up his game dramatically. Im not sure if thats possible but its what I would like to see him work on.