It looks like we have a guard rotation that knows what it is doing, can play with force, and hold up physically.
It also looks like Jules has slimmed down. Could this presage Jules and Obi lineups at PF and SF with Hartenstein possibly as a huge five out frontcourt?
I just hope we are good. Once we extend RJ, we will be expensive even in this league.
I'm with you. And you might add, capable of facilitating, as are RJ, Fournier and IQ. INTERESTING. Hartenstein is a very adept facilitator, and even being a moody, talk to himself, take a step back motherfucker last season, Julius was still good for 20-10-5 a night. Less pounding, more passing, quicker more decisive decisions, IT IS NOT BEYOND THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY. Ditto RJ.
Thibs DID ACTUALLY try out Julius and Obi a few times in the last stanzas of 2021-22.
The notion that Julius and Obi can't play together or play small ball 5, is suspect.
Yes, Thibs likes big rim protectors, and injuries notwithstansing, we are pretty fucking deep at the 5.
Given the surfeit of young, athletic players, and a lack of vets, creative ways of coming up with playing time for the likes of Obi and IQ and Cam need to be explored.
Situational matchups, let alone finding playing time after Obi & IQ's eye opening final performances. Cam as also coming on strong when he got hurt.
Yes Yes, the defensive limitations of Julius and Obi.
Still...
No reason Julius cannot play 5-4 with Obi. Or vicea versa. I mean, they are both Taj Gibson's size, and while obviously a more experienced players, but dig.
Jericho [6'10" 245]
Taj [6'9", 235]
Obi [6'9", 220]
Julius [6'8" 250]
Cam [6'8" 218]
Wayne Embry was 6'8" 240
Zelmo Beaty was 6'9" 225
Wes Unseld was 6'7" 245
Dave Cowens was 6'9" 230
Maurice Lucas [6'9" 215]
Draymond Green IS 6'6" 230, and often played/guarded the 5 spot.
As for Obi at the 3, he might indeed be challenged to guard some small forwards, but that's a two way street, and they have to D up on him as well.
Cam has the size and wingspan and athleticms not only to play SF but to double at PF and SG.
Supect we will see Hartenstein get some minutes at the stretch 4, though those are Obi's minutes to win.
We are deep, Deep, DEEP.
DEEP enough, in fact, that when the Knicks waived TAJ, they were hoping/planning to bring him back on the vet's minimum, but Gibson thought he could get more minutes playing for the Wizards. Kristaps is an IR in waiting, but Wiz just signed ex-Dukie/Hornets Vernon Carey [6'9", 270], and Daniel Gafford [6'9" 234, and who was a shot blocking machine in games against the Knicks].
C: Robinson [24], Hartenstein [24], Sims [23]
PF: Randle [27], Toppin [24]
SF: Barrett [22], Reddish [22], Hunt [23]
SG: Fournier [29], Grimes [22], Quickley [23], Keels [18]
PG: Brunson [26], Rose [33], McBride [21]
The more I look at this roster, the more I like us going in to 2022-23.
We all know that THIBS is STUBBORN.
But TT ain't stupid. Rose, Fournier, Randle and Brunson are our vets. We have a cornocopia of young talent, with a year or two or three behind them, many capable of playing multiple positions, many capable of being serious defenders...
We have an interesting narrative going forward. As you suggested, Julius would appear to be in incredible condition, and you've got to figure he wants to wash away the aroma of last season, and Thibs would seem to have the complementary pieces to help him get to his next level of maturity and growth, which as per RJ and Quentin and Deuce and Obi, irrespective of their minutes, is about being a defensive BEAST, and maxing out their FACILITATING skills.
LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN
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