1) What does healthy Dame look like?
- If we have yet to see the best of Dame, the whole season looks different. Do we see better lateral movement defensively? Dame has talked about being more committed defensively the last 2-3 years and maybe finally his body will allow him to show it.
2) Anfernee's fit with Dame
- Ant took a big jump offensively with his first real opportunity to be a full time on ball player, but has struggled to make the same impact as a SG in the past. How well will he be able to balance sharing the floor with Dame with being the lead guy when Dame goes to the bench? CJ had his issues with this while he was here with CJ only lineups routinely struggling. Having better secondary on ball scorers / passers then we've had in previous years in Hart, Grant and Winslow should help, but how much?
3) How will Chauncey use Jerami Grant?
- Good defender, but I think he's best used as weakside low man/roamer, and not a primary defender/throw on anybody type. I do like his fit if we plan on being aggressive with most ball screens again. One of the better rim protecting PF's in the league. To get the most out of him on the ball I'd like to see him paired with either Nas or Justise where we can keep him more in that secondary off ball role and switch across the 3&4. Jerami is good on the ball vs most players, but can't really get through a screen or be a chase guy. His high center of gravity and lack impact strength hurt him in certain matchups as well. Offensively, how much will Chauncey stagger him and Dame to allow him to be that iso/mid post player he was with Detroit? His opportunity with the first unit seems limited and I think he could really thrive in up tempo small ball units with guys like Hart, GP and Winslow.
4)Who earns the 9th and 1oth spots in the rotation?
- Dame, Ant, Grant, Nurk, Hart, Nas, GP2, and Winslow feel like the locked in top 8. That leaves Sharpe, Walker and Watford imo as guys that could earn those spots. Eubanks feels like break glass in case of emergency big only and Chauncey seems committed to playing small off the bench (and I think it's the right decision). Don't see the room for another guard like Keon, but he is nice GP2 insurance.
I would go with Sharpe and Walker. Chauncey seems really high on Sharpe and I think the early part of the year is a good time to get him the NBA level reps he needs. With Walker I just think he's an excellent fit in those small ball bench units Chauncey wants to play. He's a much better defender and rebounder than Watford and I like his offense more in a smaller role alongside guys Dame, Ant and Grant. I like Watford, but I have hard time valuing him playing small ball 5 in meaningless games, a position where his weaknesses were hid. His touch and passing on the move stood out. but I don't think you can build good defensive lineups with him at 5 and I don't think his strengths show up as much playing the 4.
Not sure how good this team will ultimately be, but there's a lot be excited about. This group has more athleticism and on-ball/passing talent throughout the rotation than we've seen in a long time. Chauncey year 2 will be telling. GP2 is going to be a fan favorite. Sharpe is in eye popping talent and Jabari Walker was an absolute steal in the 2nd round. Really interested to see how his body transforms in the next 3 years. Leaning out and continuing to get stronger will be big for him. Quick feet, but you can tell his hips need work when you see him in change of direction situations. He talked about the hip issues after Summer league so he's aware of it and the NBA has gotten really good at improving guys' flexibility. Very excited about him.
Pumped basketball is back! GO BLAZERRRRRSS!
