Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Larry Brown will be the answer
It seems as if Isiah will pull the trigger on a huge contract for Larry Brown. You can see the press reports already, including references to what LB did with AI when AI was only 22. Again, a Hoya, but not a good example.
Don't get me wrong, AI is an amazing talent, especially at his size. He has shown more than sheer quickness and consistently "will get his" no matter what you do. But will he win a championship? Will play in a system? His assist numbers are better than he gets credit for, but he has his game and everyone has to play around it.
Could LB mold and teach these young guys? Sure he could and he could do it well. Does he want to? Will he want to for 2-3 years? This is not Darko on a championship-caliber team. This is a whole team (beyond Steph) that needs to be tutored and groomed. Even Jamal needs it.
It will be a slippery slope. First, they'll sign a veteran to help the team develop. Think Oakley's second stint with the Bulls. That's OK. It is the second and third guys who are signed/traded for to "add a piece" for a playoff run. You don't want to make the playoffs because you can't win the whole thing. You want the picks. Strike that, you need the picks.
Before 1/31/06, LB will have signed two veterans proving that we aren't rebuilding, we are just running in place.
Don't get me wrong, AI is an amazing talent, especially at his size. He has shown more than sheer quickness and consistently "will get his" no matter what you do. But will he win a championship? Will play in a system? His assist numbers are better than he gets credit for, but he has his game and everyone has to play around it.
Could LB mold and teach these young guys? Sure he could and he could do it well. Does he want to? Will he want to for 2-3 years? This is not Darko on a championship-caliber team. This is a whole team (beyond Steph) that needs to be tutored and groomed. Even Jamal needs it.
It will be a slippery slope. First, they'll sign a veteran to help the team develop. Think Oakley's second stint with the Bulls. That's OK. It is the second and third guys who are signed/traded for to "add a piece" for a playoff run. You don't want to make the playoffs because you can't win the whole thing. You want the picks. Strike that, you need the picks.
Before 1/31/06, LB will have signed two veterans proving that we aren't rebuilding, we are just running in place.
