Another team I'd like - a Vucevic option
G: Rozier, Smart
F: Jaylen, Langford
F: Tatum, Hayward
F: Grant Williams, (Hayward)
C: Vucevic, (FA - Noel?)
I also think Rozier could fit back in here if Vucevic was signed and with Grant Williams in a big role. Two bigs who can pass and facilitate the offense to help hide Rozier's limitations as a playmaker. Rozier gives them a scorer. Some more quickness.
I don't think Vucevic is a strong enough defender to allow Hayward to start at PF. Unlike Stevens Adams who is good enough to do so. That is why I would start Grant Williams. Even if only in a 20-25mpg role (but as a starter rather than bench player). With Hayward as the 6th man.
I like Grant Williams as a glue guy next to Vucevic because of his defense and physical toughness. I also think having a shooter of Vucevic's caliber allows Williams freedom to be effective offensively while Williams continues to develop his own outside shot.
If Rozier did come back, Smart moves back to being a bench player also. That gives Boston two strong bench players in Smart and Hayward. Two guys who bring something completely different to the team off the bench than the guys in the starting lineup.
If no Rozier, just sign a different PG in Free agency.
Who is going to pass the ball to vucevic?
I do not understand the Rozier doesn't pass the ball comments.
Rozier passes the ball. He just isn't creative with his passing. They are just sideways passes. Lateral passes that accomplish little. But he does share the ball. Give others opportunities to play.
Edit: Rozier made 40.3 passes per game in 22.7mpg last season. Kyrie made 51.3 passes in 33mpg. Horford made 42.9 passes in 29mpg. Smart 36.2 passes in 27.5mpg. Those were the 4 most prolific passers on the team last season. Rozier shares the ball. He just doesn't create much with his passing but he does pass it.
Does this factor in him bringing the ball up or passes once the offense is set up? I heard his numbers were at JB level when offense was initiated and wasn't a good distributor.
Total passes.
Compare them to other PGs:
Rozier = 40.3 passes in 22.7mpg
Kyrie = 51.3 passes in 33mpg
You had five guys (Simmons, Lowry, Westbrook, Conley, Jrue) average 60 plus passes all in 34-36mpg.
Then six others who average 55-60 passes (Trae, Wall, Fox, Doncic, Kemba, Jamal Murray) in 31-34mpg.
Plus a couple of pass first PGs
Rubio = 55.7 passes in 27.9mpg
Rondo = 55.5 passes in 29.8mpg
Elfrid Payton = 55.4 passes in 29.8mpg
Then Lillard at 53 passes in 35mpg, Dunn & Teague at 53 passes in 30mpg.
DJ Augustin = 46.3 passes in 27.9mpg
Goran Dragic = 41.9 passes in 27.5mpg
Darren Collison = 50.1 passes in 28.2mpg
Dennis Smith Jr = 52.5 passes in 28.5mpg
Lonzo = 50.7 passes in 30.3mpg
CP3 = 50.8 passes in 32mpg
D'Angelo Russell = 52.1 passes in 30.2mpg
Reggie Jackson = 50.5 passes in 27.9mpg
A surprise of Justice Winslow at 52.2 passes in 29.7mpg. Harden clocks in at 49.5 passes in 36.8mpg.
Colin Sexton = 45.5 passes in 31.8mpg
Some other backup PGs
Cory Joseph = 41.4 passes in 25.2mpg
Ish Smith = 40.9 passes in 22.3mpg
SGA = 40.6 passes in 26.5mpg
Shelvin Mack = 41.6 passes in 21.9mpg
Monte Morris = 42.2 passes in 24mpg
Fred VanFleet = 42.9 passes in 27.5mpg
JJ Barea at 44 passes in 19.8mpg
Beverley = 39.8 passes in 27.4mpg
https://stats.nba.com/players/passing/?Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=PASSES_MADE&dir=1&PlayerPosition=G-------------------------------------
To make it easier to compare guys with different minutes, if you minute adjust Rozier's passes, that would be
40.3 passes in 22.7mpg
44.4 passes in 25mpg
49.7 passes in 28mpg
55 passes in 31mpg
60 passes in 34mpg
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Now if you look at the assists per pass. Rozier is terrible. He creates the least with his passing. I fully support any criticism of his lack of vision.
But Rozier does share / pass the ball. He just doesn't accomplish much his passes. They are lateral passes that do not penetrate the defense. That do not set teammates up for shots. But Rozier does share the ball and give room to teammates to create for themselves & others.