I know, I know. He would never. Right? BUT In a world of ‘what if’s’, WHAT IF KD came off the bench? What if our starting 5 was: Reed Amen Tari Jabari Alpi And we brought in KD to have a field day and lead our bench against the opponents second team? Whether we take this to 7 or for next year…. Wouldn’t that solve our bench scoring woes and allow for this young energetic core to continue to grow together and run a more team-centric offense? What if, next year, our bench unit was: FVV Okogie Durant DFS Adams Etc. Etc. is that team, with another year of experience for the young starters, not making a push? Are my thread-making permissions revoked? Call me crazy, but a Durant led bench would often widen the lead our starters built or close the gap on our opponents’ lead and take the pressure off of the young sniper (Reed) to lead that charge. But he would never. Right?
It's not about hearing you out, there's just literally no chance it will happen so what's the point discussing it?
Hear me out: Hakeem comes off the bench in the finals with Cassell, let Grandpa Charles Jones cook Ewing.
Doesn’t seem like a fair comparison but I’ll bite. Think it’s worth the discussion as it would make our team extremely tough to game plan for. It’s too bad egos get in the way of… the way…
KD would never agree to it, Ime would never agree to it. What is best for the team is basically irrelevant when those two make the decisions
I think that's the only way I'd be in favor of him coming back, but his inflated ego would NEVER go for it.
Well, Eason is probably leaving so if KD stays it’s probably FVV, Amen, KD, Bari, Alpi Put Reed in the role you are describing for KD
Regardless of whether KD and/or Tari leave, Reed is coming off the bench if Ime is still coach. FVV is one of the top pg’s in the league according to Stone and him.
I wonder how well FVV will be able to rehab and come back. I agree they will begin next season with Fred as the starter if Ime isn't fired and Fred isn't traded. I wouldn't be surprised to see him play too poorly for even Ime to keep running him out there though, and end up getting benched. It's too bad we don't have the age 26-28 version of FVV who averaged 20 and 7 on 36% three point shooting with about as good of defense as a 6'0" guard can ever play. That guy would actually be worth what this front office and coaching staff think he is. Given his age and the severity of the injury he just recovered from, he's much more likely to average something like 12 and 5 on 33% three point shooting when he returns, unfortunately.
And that was good enough for them to play him monster minutes last year. Rocket fans are like the damsel tied to the train tracks while the train is bearing down and instead of the Lone Ranger showing up it’s Moe, Larry, and Shimp. (Ime, Stone, FVV).
KD is averaging 27ppg. Role players can play well ...in spurts. For example, Luke Kennard averaged 25ppg in the 1st two games of this series. That is what Lebron averaged for the season. So what that logic, maybe the Lakers are better off if they bench Lebron and let Kennard play? Silly, right? Or you can be logical and play the averages. Everyone knew Kennard wasn't going to average 25ppg for the series. Suggesting you bench your best scorer is ludicrous. The best outcome is KD AND the young core all play at their best ...simultaneously. That's the only scenario in which you make a deep playoff run. If the young guys can't figure out how to play with KD, that isn't KD's fault.
Or, maybe Fred does very well because we could surround him with players that can shoot and make baskets. Last time Fred played we were one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA. We have gone from being ranked 21st in FG% to 10th. Removing Green and adding Durant has definitely helped in that regard. This may allow Fred to focus on running the offense and getting assists. So, I’m going to try to look at things in a positive way. Having forwards trying to handle the ball has been problematic all season. Getting the ball in the hands of an actual ball handler could really help this team. Fred has always had an excellent assist/turnover ratio. Thats what he does best.
L.A. Lakers @ Houston: Scott Foster, Curtis Blair, Karl Lane, Kevin Cutler Adam Silver said, "Enough is enough! We need to protect our LeBron cash cow. Send in the executioner!"
NBA wants this to go seven - primetime drama - game 7 back from 0-3 - Is it Lebron's last game??? Will Winona Ryder be front row?
