I think staying here is his first option. Like trd said in the Kobe thread, seeing him hanging around Kobe and Randle this time of year hints at that too.
After what he went through with the loss of his father during the season, you can't help but want for him to succeed. Ellington is solid if not spectacular.
I was underwhelmed by his overall numbers. 41% shooting when you are a "shooter" won't get it done. Those are stats of a "non shooter" in this league. Example: Tony Allen 2P% 50.5%, 3P% 34.5%, overall FG% 49.5%, eFG% 50.5% Wayne Elle 2P% 43.9%, 3P% 37%, overall FG% 41.2%, eFG% 48.5% I wonder if this is a case of us rooting toooo much for our guy because he's ours. I didn't watch as many games as usual this year with Kobe out, but given this great opportunity to step up, he posted his worst numbers in 5 years. Why are people high on this guy?
I mean if you didn't watch the games, then how would you know? Ellington's overall stats may not have been great, but he made timely shots, played pretty good defense, and helped as a calm force with our younger guys. He's a perfect back-up on a good team. I want him here because of that. When need be he can fill in for Kobe and do a decent job. If you can lock down a guy like that for a couple years, that's good for team chemistry and it's good continuity. Not to mention we need help in so many other places, having just a solid presence makes it easier to improve elsewhere.
I have no issue with that. The games I watched I looked for what people were seeing with him, and just didn't see it. I just think it's a mistake to call him a shooter. The numbers don't bear it out. I'm all about cheap backups, but is he the guy to run 20-25 minutes behind Kobe? To be fair, Nick is also known as a shooter that had a crappy year. It happens. Kobe makes life easier for all shooters because he creates open shots, but ideally neither of those guys are on the floor when Kobe is, so it doesn't apply.
Yeah I mean Ellington is a career 40% shooter. For us he was asked to do a lot more than just catch-and-shoot and I think that means coming out of your comfort zone. I'd think that had a lot to do with his decreasing efficiency. I absolutely definitely think he's a guy who can play 20-25 minutes behind Kobe Bryant. Come in, make good decisions, space the floor, and play solid defense. That's exactly the kind of guy you need behind Kobe at this stage in Kobe's career.
I became a fan of Sir Duke last season. I hope we keep him on for a very friendly price. I think he would go for it.
I Duke. Good teammate and clubhouse guy and worker and better than Meeks in that roll for us all things considered.
Exactly. I think he found himself out of his comfort zone last year which led to some disappointing games. He seems like a good locker room presence, though; good character guy. Keep him.
I'd take him as the back up SG. He's more than capable of that role. Not the greatest but he's smart and under control, much better than Meeks.
I think he may go too depending on whoever is willing to offer the most years, not dollars. The Lakers apparently are high on Jabari Brown who might be the better player.
I really hope we can keep Sir Duke. I like him a lot. But again, we have to go after the big fish first.
