Russell Westbrick Discussion: Clipper Gonna Clip

If Kuz got under Pop he could have become an all-star. Bad luck for him

DeRozan wouldn't have worked. But it wouldn't be so bad as Russ.
Caruso, THT
Monk, Reaves
DeRozan
LeBron, Melo
Howard

That team ain't winning 40+ games. AD barely played and Stan was acquired mid year
We had no centers and got AD for less than 30 games. That season was doomed, with or without Russ. Then again, maybe we didn't want centers because we got Russ

 

this is one time i'll agree with slick regarding the health issues trumping all. while i'd still rather have stood pat, having derozan and a multi-year deal isn't much different and may be worse than russ on an expiring.

 

I like DD for this team more than most. He isn't a good defender but he'll try and is about the team. I'll take effort that comes up short vs. someone who's mantra is that's not my job. I like that DD can slot up and down between a first option and a third option, necessary with the injuries we had. Everyone said he'd never be able to make a 3 before last season and guess what, he shot a career best last year. He fits because he doesn't have to be the primary ball handler from inbounds - basket. He fits because he can shoot which stretches the D. He fits because he's not a prick...ly cactus like Russ. He fits in, not out. He's the Kobe fan we should've gotten instead of the one we got stuck with.

He's not an ideal fit, but what player are we targeting is an ideal fit? Kyrie is legit insane and doesn't D up either. Hield can only shoot and is borderline unplayable in the playoffs. Turner? I really like him but there are injury concerns and we have a crowded front court. He only makes as much sense as he does because he can help hide the fact we have zero perimeter defense. What about the other guys we wanted last summer -- Beal and Dame? I like them both. Dame is my favorite non Laker. But there is size issues, defensive issues, and health issues with both. So no, DD was not an ideal fit. But please show me an ideal fit.

 

First mention from anyone I've seen with players named in a SA deal...

 

I don't see how else he can be successful defensively, he doesn't have the IQ to be a successful help defender or a free safety. His best defensive seasons have been on ball and when he has been challenged by teammates to set the tone defensively. You hope the coach and bev can challenge him here.

We'll see how it goes.

 

Oh we don’t need to see how it goes. We already know

Nothing in his past behavior indicates that last season’s performance will be improved, the guy is as thick headed as they come.

Ham a rookie coach will not have any effect on this guy.

 

Mr Sunshine You've clearly forgotten three words and a slash.

"Contract/career year"

 

you know it hurts me more that you’ll be disappointed later in the season so I am hoping that you manage expectations early:THT Heart Hands:

 

I know it is just one play in a scrimmage but Austin sure exposed Russ's defensive flaws all at one time. Off balance, reaching and bad angles. I'm going to beat the old drum one more time. Toyed with him. It would be incredible to have Alex and Austin out there wrecking the other teams offense.

 

So stupid: even with the wreck of the Westbrook trade, if they just ate the luxury tax this wouldn't have been that far away from contending because 2nd year Reaves plus Alex is exactly what you want in the playoffs. two guys who can switch and play in multiple different styles

 

Just hope we are smart enough to play Reaves and not leave him on rhe bench.

 

Jeanie wants to avoid the tax that's for sure but if I remember correctly, Eric Pincus released an article where Pelinka has terribly mismanaged minor details (i.e. not signing THT to a longer rookie deal causing them to choose between Caruso or THT). The ultimate silver lining for me in keeping Russ is that if they are terrible, Pelinka is hopefully gone.

 

we couldn't have signed THT to a longer rookie deal because we weren't under the cap that year, right? thus we were limited to the standard contracts offered to second rounders.

so we'd have had to use a cap exception to sign him--which means not being able to use that on someone else.

rob would have been attacked by the twitter gms for that, too.

 

wow, twitter undefeated in most negative takes possible.

i didn't read it as "russ trade imminent" at all. i read it as: we tried, and we're rolling with this for now.

also curious what message would make these folks happy. we're trading russ no matter the cost? we're never trading him and love him so much? no message at all?

 

... meh eff off Anthony. It's easy from where you sit.

 

The entire organization is doing a piss poor job at handling this "Russ thing". We really need a new owner and FO.

 

Right. Why drop this on the day of the first preseason game when all of us are trying our best to put on purple and gold glasses and figure out how the team will work?

I could see if there was new info but this basically rehash of what we've been hearing all summer. There was no interest in Russ, no trade is imminent, and we're going to see what Ham can do with him or he will end up on the bench.

At this point, I would prefer we just stop with the leaks. It's just the same spin we've been hearing for a while now.