Why I've talked myself out of Murray

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Watching the finals game last night, one thing became glaringly obvious: any time either coach tried to play a one-way player, the other team immediately took advantage.

This led me back to the logical (if somewhat unfair) rule that if you can't see them on the court when you watch the finals, then they are not championship building blocks, especially in the modern NBA.

I think Murray could top out at 25 and 6 as a point guard with little defense (like Lillard) but both the Cavs and the Warriors (and the Thunder and Raptors) would abuse that kind of player and he would end up being a minus. Kinda like Love.

Hield has the potential to be a good defender, but I don't like that he hasn't shown that yet. That may mean that he has developed bad habits. Those are hard to break.

I think Bender, with 20 pounds of muscle and 4 years of experience, could have been on the court last night and could have used his length as a major plus for his team. I also think Brown, Dunn, and Valentine could have been on the court last night with some seasoning. Chriss will need to raise his Iq considerably, but he could get there.

High IQ, two-way, tough, competitive players are what we need.

I think we have three guys who could have been on the court last night in Bradley, Smart, and Crowder. Maybe Rozier will be another. I dont want to trade those guys, especially for a player who couldn't have been on the court.

I want two more guys who could be.

[The One]

Good points. You can't hide in the playoffs.

I would like to put in a plug for Jaylen Brown. He can play both ways.

Potential to be a real force on both ends.

[jambr380]

I would be more worried about his slow first step and his low shot release. Obviously defense is a problem, but there is always time to fix that, especially when you are in a system that revolves around defense. I don't expect him to other-worldly on this end, but if he can't be a dominant scorer, then you are certainly right.

If we have to choose, Dunn is the guy for me.

[dreamgreen]

Totally impossible to predict who will be good and who will not be. I'm not convinced Murray will be a worse defender than Curry or Lillard. On top of that people can say they can't defend all they want but everyone on this board would kill to have those players.

[Mattybriand]

If there's a chance he tops out at Lillard we need to take him

[Celtics4ever]

I am pretty open that Bender hid at the combine to conceal his suspect jumping.   I think Murray not playing one on one smacks of the same thing.   Both players are trying to hide something from us.   Second workouts are in order for Murray without his agent.   Play or we do not pick.  Bender needs to be tested on the tests he skipped by Celtics staff, period.   Guys who are hiding things definitely have faults they are trying to conceal.

[rollie mass]

Watching the finals game last night, one thing became glaringly obvious: any time either coach tried to play a one-way player, the other team immediately took advantage.

This led me back to the logical (if somewhat unfair) rule that if you can't see them on the court when you watch the finals, then they are not championship building blocks, especially in the modern NBA.

I think Murray could top out at 25 and 6 as a point guard with little defense (like Lillard) but both the Cavs and the Warriors (and the Thunder and Raptors) would abuse that kind of player and he would end up being a minus. Kinda like Love.

Hield has the potential to be a good defender, but I don't like that he hasn't shown that yet. That may mean that he has developed bad habits. Those are hard to break.

I think Bender, with 20 pounds of muscle and 4 years of experience, could have been on the court last night and could have used his length as a major plus for his team. I also think Brown, Dunn, and Valentine could have been on the court last night with some seasoning. Chriss will need to raise his Iq considerably, but he could get there.

High IQ, two-way, tough, competitive players are what we need.

I think we have three guys who could have been on the court last night in Bradley, Smart, and Crowder. Maybe Rozier will be another. I dont want to trade those guys, especially for a player who couldn't have been on the court.

I want two more guys who could be.
[/quote  TP for that about one way players being exposed-goodbye sully

[A Future of Stevens]

I am pretty open that Bender hid at the combine to conceal his suspect jumping.   I think Murray not playing one on one smacks of the same thing.   Both players are trying to hide something from us.   Second workouts are in order for Murray without his agent.   Play or we do not pick.  Bender needs to be tested on the tests he skipped by Celtics staff, period.   Guys who are hiding things definitely have faults they are trying to conceal.

I thought bender didn't even go to the combine because his team was still playing?

[TheSundanceKid]

I am pretty open that Bender hid at the combine to conceal his suspect jumping.   I think Murray not playing one on one smacks of the same thing.   Both players are trying to hide something from us.   Second workouts are in order for Murray without his agent.   Play or we do not pick.  Bender needs to be tested on the tests he skipped by Celtics staff, period.   Guys who are hiding things definitely have faults they are trying to conceal.

I thought bender didn't even go to the combine because his team was still playing?

He didn't. His team only finished their season this week. But why let facts get in the way of a good Bender bashing!

[aingeforthree]

He's 19. We don't know if he's a player, one way or both ways. He's 19. You can't talk yourself out of talent who can shoot it like he does at 19.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I am pretty open that Bender hid at the combine to conceal his suspect jumping.   I think Murray not playing one on one smacks of the same thing.   Both players are trying to hide something from us.   Second workouts are in order for Murray without his agent.   Play or we do not pick.  Bender needs to be tested on the tests he skipped by Celtics staff, period.   Guys who are hiding things definitely have faults they are trying to conceal.

Bender was under contract with a different team. He couldn't be at the combine. Besides, most big men don't do athletic jumping because people jump to wrong conclusions about them.

[Global Celtic]

Murray is, quite simply, the third (maybe second) best talent in this draft. That combination of talent, work ethic and youth will probably make him an All Star one day.
And his defense isn't great right now but do you remember Ray Allen and Steph Curry when they were 19?

[Csfan1984]

Tp for the cool signature. Would Ya mind if I did the same? Think its a great reminder of where a guy stands.

[Ilikesports17]

Thompson's effort level on the defensive end has improved during his time in college, and he shows solid awareness and makes good rotations off the ball, but his lack of quickness is certainly something that can be exploited. His problems can be hid somewhat on good defensive teams, and his apparent effort level and capacity for playing good team defense will certainly be useful, though he'd have a lot of work to do to even become an average NBA defender overall.

VIA draftexpress.

Murray can become an OK defender as well.

[KG Living Legend]

Murray is, quite simply, the third (maybe second) best talent in this draft. That combination of talent, work ethic and youth will probably make him an All Star one day.
And his defense isn't great right now but do you remember Ray Allen and Steph Curry when they were 19?

 Agreed Global.