Thornton playing the 3

[hrdboild]

I'm going to disagree on the roster causing the issue here. JJ has been pretty good defensively as a SF for us. He's definitely been good enough that we don't need to run a Jimmer/Brooks backcourt with MT at the 3 to cover for his poor production.

The problem with JJ at SF right now is that Smart seems to have told him his initials stand for Joe Johnson, and to attack every time he touches the ball. If he just told JJ to only take open shots when the ball is swung, to move the ball every time it's not a clear open look and to have him just concentrate on being a defensive role player, then all the sudden there's not much reason to play MT at SF.

And if Smart ran even a halfway decent halfcourt offense, we'd have plenty of scoring with or without JJ out there.

From what I've seen, I don't even want James Johnson taking open jumpshots anymore. Every time he's on the floor that's the lowest percentage shot we can get and a frighteningly large number of possessions seem to end that way. But alright, if you're saying Smart's offense as drawn up is asking players to do things which aren't really strengths for them than I totally agree. Johnson should be a last option in the offense when he's on the floor and there should be enough scoring around him to account for that.

I still think though, even if we had Rick Adelman drawing up our offensive sets the lack of production from the SF position would be a problem. And the desire to find significant minutes for all 5 of our guards is inevitably going to result in somebody playing out of position at SF.

[Gary]

I hate it. MT is not a 3, and he's not even a 1 (although he can play a couple minutes of it here and there. He needs to play the majority (if not all) his time at SG.

[SacTownKid]

I think it's a matter of time before Reke is moved. The difference with this team when it has shooting is rather obvious. Thornton playing the 3 is a little gimmicky but shooting works when you have a big like Cousins. If they start running around like chickens with their heads cut off like Smart tried to do last year, the defense is gone anyway, might as well score I guess.

Just sad, I see very few reasons with the right coaching and system that Reke, Thornton, and Cousins can't be the core of the team.

[rainmaker]

From what I've seen, I don't even want James Johnson taking open jumpshots anymore. Every time he's on the floor that's the lowest percentage shot we can get and a frighteningly large number of possessions seem to end that way. But alright, if you're saying Smart's offense as drawn up is asking players to do things which aren't really strengths for them than I totally agree. Johnson should be a last option in the offense when he's on the floor and there should be enough scoring around him to account for that.

I still think though, even if we had Rick Adelman drawing up our offensive sets the lack of production from the SF position would be a problem. And the desire to find significant minutes for all 5 of our guards is inevitably going to result in somebody playing out of position at SF.

I mean, by no means am I saying JJ is the perfect SF. Not at all. But defensively in a clear cut role, he's plenty good enough to not go to this gimmicky small ball crap.

There was an interview recently with JJ where he said Smart was giving him all kinds of confidence. That's fine. I like confident players. But, then another interview came out in the past few days where Smart said he's giving JJ the freedom to attack like other attack minded wings, and he's just struggling because this freedom is new to him. I'd argue he doesn't need that freedom and Smart is giving too many players on general too much freedom. It's in the Bee if you care to look for it.

Then there's the aspect that every game thus far Smart has called up an iso for JJ out of a timeout. Every game. That's ridiculous. Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think JJ has been the slightest bit successful in any of those iso's for him out of timeouts. I don't think he's even drawn a foul, let alone score or set someone up. Smart is just asking him to do too much. But we see that with most players on this team. Everyone appears to have a green light, which never works.

[jalfa]

Or until you win the game...

when has that ever happened in the NBA? consistently.

[Reke 13 Havoc]

GOD NO!!!!!!!!! unless there is some miraculous situation where the other team is using a 6'3 SF then its ok

[The_Jamal]

Would you rather roll Brooks-Jimmer-MT for 3-4 minute stints or Brooks-MT-Garca/Outlaw for 3-4 minute stints? It's certainly not a lineup that you can play for extended minutes, but I'd rather play that lineup than give Garcia or Outlaw minutes. At the very least, we have great shooting on the floor and a lot of speed which certainly can provide a spark for a short period of time at least until Salmons comes back

[Reke 13 Havoc]

^solid point. id rather have stevie wonder out there playin the 3 than Garcia