Missing Perk, TA not so much...

[EJPLAYA]

I think it is pretty obvious out there that we are missing Perks defense on that starting unit as guys are getting to the rim on us easier than before. Scal is doing a great job for us filling in, along with Powe off the bench, but they aren't shot blockers. I doubt anyone on here doesn't see we are a much better team with him anchoring the center spot.

On that note, I was surprised by the fact that I really haven't seen us play any worse with TA out of the lineup on the second unit. As much as I dislike TA's game, which is known by all, he was filling that offensive role out there and was in control of the ball much of the time. I thought him sitting would create a little confusion out there initially. He also is a solid defender and I thought that we would drop a little mostly due to this part.

Interestingly enough, Gabe and his 12 min a game during the last 5 games TA sat, has done a solid job defensively, reasonable job offensively, and passed the ball well. Most importantly he only has 2 turnovers in that stretch with none in the last 3. I have really liked Gabe's CALM approach to the game as he never seems to be in any big rush, but didn't expect him to be able to come out and completely fill TA's role.

I haven't noticed any drop off in play with Gabe out there, so it begs the question. Is it time to put the young guy in there permanently so that we are able to reduce the mistakes? If he gets that run the rest of the year think how much better he should be come playoff time. Thoughts?

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

I gotta agree, its actually nice not to have to suffer through watching Tony

And ever since Perk hurt his shoulder in LA, its been a layup line for the opposing team...Miss the beast

[crownsy]

yea, i wouldn't mind tony losing a few minutes so gabe can play back up point with eddie at the 2 to catch and shoot of gabe's drives.

[EJPLAYA]

I gotta agree, its actually nice not to have to suffer through watching Tony

Hey! We agreed on something Tattered! TP to you for that! Keep up the posting!

[moiso]

I am the rare poster that enjoys watching TA.  I wouldn't mind Gabe taking a few of TA's minutes and a lot of House's minutes.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I also have to wonder if Pruitt-TA combo would play better than a Pruitt-House combo.

[EJPLAYA]

I am the rare poster that enjoys watching TA.  I wouldn't mind Gabe taking a few of TA's minutes and a lot of House's minutes.

You enjoy watching horror movies then too, right?

[ManUp]

I am the rare poster that enjoys watching TA.  I wouldn't mind Gabe taking a few of TA's minutes and a lot of House's minutes.

You enjoy watching horror movies then too, right?

lol, TP

I think there has been no drop off from Tony because the scoring is more spread out now. Gabe is getting House some good shots, Baby has been playing better, and so has Powe. Gabe paired with House opens up the floor a lot more than with TA making it easier to go inside. Usually we have RA or PP with Gabe/House so that's a great shooting lineup with decent inside play.

I'd have no problem seeing Tony moved or losing his minutes completely to Gabe.

[moiso]

Haha, no, I like comedies!

[crownsy]

I also have to wonder if Pruitt-TA combo would play better than a Pruitt-House combo.

i think any combo that doesnt include eddie at the point will play better. I love eddie, but a PG he is not. a spot up shooter, yes. but teams have figured out that he's not going to drive, no matter what, so they get in his jersey to take away his shot when he's the PG and prevent him from moving the ball.

get him the rock off passes not letting making him dribble, and Eddie shines.

[winsomme]

I am the rare poster that enjoys watching TA.  I wouldn't mind Gabe taking a few of TA's minutes and a lot of House's minutes.

You enjoy watching horror movies then too, right?

the problem that i see with Pruitt actually has very little to do with him and his development.

From an ability standpoint, he looks lots more poised out there and has put in some very effective minutes...

the problem is that he is just one more player on our bench that is undersized for his position.

now maybe you can look at him as a backup PG. but all that does is move Eddie to the backup SG and he is even more undersized at that position...

then you have BBD (undersized for C), Powe (undersized for PF) and Eddie or Pruitt (undersized for SG). add in Walker or Giddens (both barely fitting SF specs) and you basically have an entirely undersized bench.

i actually like all these guys individually as players, but there is a tipping point when you are undersized at every position.

it's one thing when you are playing someone undersized for a strategic reason -  like playing Posey at the PF to force another team to either make a substitution they don't want to do or pull a big away from the basket to open things up.

but it's another thing to be playing undersized because it's your only option.

that being said, i am still anxious to see all these guys get PT to show what they can do. it's time to find out...

[BballTim]

I think it is pretty obvious out there that we are missing Perks defense on that starting unit as guys are getting to the rim on us easier than before. Scal is doing a great job for us filling in, along with Powe off the bench, but they aren't shot blockers. I doubt anyone on here doesn't see we are a much better team with him anchoring the center spot.

On that note, I was surprised by the fact that I really haven't seen us play any worse with TA out of the lineup on the second unit. As much as I dislike TA's game, which is known by all, he was filling that offensive role out there and was in control of the ball much of the time. I thought him sitting would create a little confusion out there initially. He also is a solid defender and I thought that we would drop a little mostly due to this part.

Interestingly enough, Gabe and his 12 min a game during the last 5 games TA sat, has done a solid job defensively, reasonable job offensively, and passed the ball well. Most importantly he only has 2 turnovers in that stretch with none in the last 3. I have really liked Gabe's CALM approach to the game as he never seems to be in any big rush, but didn't expect him to be able to come out and completely fill TA's role.

I haven't noticed any drop off in play with Gabe out there, so it begs the question. Is it time to put the young guy in there permanently so that we are able to reduce the mistakes? If he gets that run the rest of the year think how much better he should be come playoff time. Thoughts?

  Paul and Ray are both playing more minutes with Tony out, especially Ray. That might be why things look smoother to you. I like Pruitt, don't get me wrong, but he seems to basically do the same things that House does. I'd like to see him get more of Eddie's minutes but some of Tony's. As much as people cringe when TA takes it to the hoop a second unit consisting of an undersized post player who doesn't pass well and 4 spot up shooters isn't going to be very effective.

[winsomme]

I think it is pretty obvious out there that we are missing Perks defense on that starting unit as guys are getting to the rim on us easier than before. Scal is doing a great job for us filling in, along with Powe off the bench, but they aren't shot blockers. I doubt anyone on here doesn't see we are a much better team with him anchoring the center spot.

On that note, I was surprised by the fact that I really haven't seen us play any worse with TA out of the lineup on the second unit. As much as I dislike TA's game, which is known by all, he was filling that offensive role out there and was in control of the ball much of the time. I thought him sitting would create a little confusion out there initially. He also is a solid defender and I thought that we would drop a little mostly due to this part.

Interestingly enough, Gabe and his 12 min a game during the last 5 games TA sat, has done a solid job defensively, reasonable job offensively, and passed the ball well. Most importantly he only has 2 turnovers in that stretch with none in the last 3. I have really liked Gabe's CALM approach to the game as he never seems to be in any big rush, but didn't expect him to be able to come out and completely fill TA's role.

I haven't noticed any drop off in play with Gabe out there, so it begs the question. Is it time to put the young guy in there permanently so that we are able to reduce the mistakes? If he gets that run the rest of the year think how much better he should be come playoff time. Thoughts?

  Paul and Ray are both playing more minutes with Tony out, especially Ray. That might be why things look smoother to you. I like Pruitt, don't get me wrong, but he seems to basically do the same things that House does. I'd like to see him get more of Eddie's minutes but some of Tony's. As much as people cringe when TA takes it to the hoop a second unit consisting of an undersized post player who doesn't pass well and 4 spot up shooters isn't going to be very effective.

i agree that the PT for Pruitt makes the most sense to come from Eddie, but i'm not sure where that actually gets you in the big picture.

I mean, Eddie is one of our most stable cogs in the bench unit.

i feel the same way about Walker and TA. the best minutes to give Walker are TAs (their games and physique are almost identical), but where exactly does that get you?

i still want to see them get PT, regardless...

[EJPLAYA]

Haha, no, I like comedies!

TP! Very nice...

[LarBrd33]

yea, i wouldn't mind tony losing a few minutes so gabe can play back up point with eddie at the 2 to catch and shoot of gabe's drives.

Yeah... more minutes for Gabe.  His 34% shooting and phantom defense is just what the doctor ordered.