I'd be surprised if MD can contribute anything...he is soft, looks lost out there often, got a concussion from running into a guys stomach...
Almost impossible, unless his head is a mellon..he was always an "almost" almost scored, almost defended, looked like he could do it...never did..well, he will get his chance this year...I think TA left, because after all he proved, they still disrespcted him..not offering him 3 @2.5 right off like he wanted....md instead of TA is a minus one, not a plus one...!
If MD can hold his own on defense, then in principle he is a better offensive player than TA, so perhaps we come out ahead.
In principle..? on the floor, in real time is all that matters. MD crumbled in real time, then faked a head injury to dodge the heat. Get an easy paycheck. TA took the heat, wasn't afraid to make a mistake, and you could see him putting it all into it. He came back from a mojor injury, and you almost could see him healing, improving his game. He scored some great baskets, and energized our offense with his D, his dunks, and layups..we HAVE outside shooters, now who will slash for us...? In principle, i saw nothing from md, except his shadow on the court.
You really weaken your post with your indulgent speculation about MD. You have valid points otherwise.
As you point out, it doesn't make much sense to talk about "in principle". Are we going to start making models of basketball games and predictions off of those models? I don't see how that can work when we have only 5 people per team and with the small set of sample data and all the subjective evaluations that would be required. In the end, results speak the loudest.
Oh well, i am not perfect, not sure where my indulgent part was, or speculation...but what-the-hey....aren't we all speculators here..? I'd love md to be better than TA was, maybe he will be....that is up to him...is he out chasing women now and drinking it up, or is he working on his game like ray, or jordon or bird would do.....but thanks for the part that i have a few valid points...! I can live with that..! Now that is good criticism of a post, not pers, nice and a good/bad side...they should make that a model for here...!
Well meadowlark, I see you weren't paying much attention early in the season when Daniels was making decent contributions, and doing just what he was known for in Indy. Quisy's offensive game is to take it to the paint and force the issue with his defender, get him on an upfake and then lay in a 10-footer. This is something TA doesn't do. TA forces it too much and doesn't use the upfake. Also Quisy has a better jumpshot than TA. So when I say "in principle" this is what I'm talking about. Daniels is just flat out a better offensive player than Tony Allen.
That said, Tony Allen is a superior defender. He will be missed. Personally, I would have tried to top the offer from Memphis, but TA apparently didn't want to stay anyway. Ainge made a simple value judgement with Tony Allen. I believe his thinking was that as long as Daniels could hold his own on defense, then his offensive gives him the advantage over Allen.
Now, of course, I could be wrong, but as you said, speculation and interpretation is what message boards are all about.
