he's in a tough spot because he probably needs to give ariza a fair chance to win a rotation spot. we need stan, regardless, though, as we always needed two arizas. my guess is we might need stan more than ariza at this point in their respective careers. maybe ariza can play the playoff rondo role.
Ariza’s feet look like they are stuck in almost hardened cement. I hope we give SJ a full contract because Trevor just doesn’t have it anymore.
The nice part of having SJ is we can bring Ariza along slowly and not overwhelm his elder frame with 30 minute games. Keep him in the rotation to keep him loose but don't overheat him either. That should preserve him for the playoff push and then the post-season.
I don’t know what Ariza you guys are watching - to my eye he seems to be in the right place at the right time defensively. He boxes out, he contests and we are only asking him to spot up from the corner 3s.
He's doing that all fine. He just doesn't have Stan's strength and weight to bang with guys that go in that weight range 230-260lbs. Never did.
i think a lot of stock is being placed on the play where his foot got caught and damian jones dunked on him. but he does looks slower in general than even last year, imo. anyway, we still need two.
https://c.tenor.com/odyVsZbC-OYAAAAC/why-not-both-why-not.gif See no reason you can't play both at the same time as well: makes sense if you go small ball as we've discussed previously to have bigger wings to make up that gap
I don't think that will happen until Ariza is much further along in his recovery. There's not much spacing with both of them right now and Ariza so rusty on the offensive end. I think you give up way too much offense with both in at the same time. But maybe later.
Reasonable point; I should amend my post that this would also have to be non westbrook lineups. Sigh: he makes things so much more difficult in terms of lineup creativity
Interesting Frank just went ahead and started him. Basically looks like he's going to work on him like he did with Bradley and KCP. If you're willing to work on D he'll eventually figure a way to get you into offense
Looks like a stud on D and is not without skills to score the ball … can put it on the floor and go to the rack some already. That up high block from behind at the basket was spectacular.
He is bringing a consistent energy whether its on offense or defense, players like him and Reaves are pivotal on teams.