Rozier, Brown and Hayward were the three best players on the court tonight. Given all the grief these guys have taken on this site....it's good to see.
But dang, why can't Rozier be like this when coming off the bench? It's like he is a completely different player. If Rozier played off the bench the way he started, he would be one of the more sought after free agents this summer. What a moron for not making sure he was the same player coming off the bench as he is starting. He is costing himself tens of millions of dollars.
I'm curious to know what you make of Brown/Rozier/Hayward having excellent games with Kyrie out, and Rozier's issues coming off the bench. To be transparent, I'm asking in the context of your staunch support for Kyrie - no set-up here.
Well, Rozier has been like this since his first year. When he started in Maine he was great, got a chance here off the bench and wasn't good. I don't think IT or Kyrie limiting his minutes affects or affected Rozier. I think it's something internal with him. He just plays better knowing he is starting.
As for Hayward and Brown, they have both played well when Kyrie plays. Hayward's problems are due to not being 100% physically or 100% mentally to have the confidence to do what he used to do. If he was 100% to start the season, I think Hayward and Kyrie would have a wicked 2 man game going on right now. Hayward at 100% is that good.
Brown was Brown's problem early. He went from a number one option last year in the playoffs to being the 5th option to start the season as a starter. That would effect any 21-22 year old in the league.
I think Brown and Hayward will continue to get better and better, regardless of who is starting at PG. By the playoffs I can see Hayward being close to 100% and Brown just taking his game to a level equal to or better than last year's playoffs.
Certainly both Hayward and Brown are trending in that direction.
I didn't know that was a trend for Rozier going back to Maine. That's a fair point. Through interviews and his play when he starts, I do get the impression that it's somewhat ego-driven, which seems somewhat fair - he does play like a starter when he starts, and he entered the league as a "fair" prospect with a chip on his shoulder.
Hayward has certainly been limited by his injury and recovery, which is completely understandable, and I agree that they'd play well; I think Hayward could play well with anyone, though.
Brown is a different case. While he's trending upward, he has regressed. I agree with you regarding Brown and Rozier - both went from top options on a successful playoff run during their prime developmental years, and they haven't responded well to being downgraded to lesser roles. And that's understandable and expected for 22-24 year olds.
This is also related to my primary concern - we have excellent prospects that have played poorly since Kyrie's return. Realizing that concern this season sucks because these guys are our ticket to long-term contention, and they've proven to be very good players. Kyrie's stats are trending upward, but I don't see him making any one better. Again, I believe he has the ability, but until he does, we're failing to support our best prospects in their prime developmental years. I don't know about you, but I care more about that than an off-shot of contending with GS this season.
I also think Brown and Hayward will also continue to trend upward.