Who will step up [players 9-17] and play above their season averages on offense?

Parts of a post by dboss from the Post Game Thread - Bubble Scrimmage vs Suns thread:

dboss wrote:It appears that our top 8 include Theis, Tatum, Walker, Brown, Hayward, Smart, Wanamaker and Kanter.

Brad has not found that 9th guy who can come in and impact the game offensively but they have several who can help on the defensive end.

Who will step up [players 9-17] and play above their season averages?

I changed it to 9-17 (from 9-15) in order to add the two way players.
dbrown gave his answer on that thread, but I hope he will carry it over to this thread.
Vote cancelling is allowed

I voted for Romeo Langford.

He had such an inconsistent season, he cannot help but improve his offensive numbers.
He is already ready to play defense.
In a wing-centric league, he will be the first wing off the bench not named Smart.

Next player to play above his average: Semi Ojeleye or Grant Williams?

I'll go with Semi. He has the experience edge and it looks like he may have found his shot.

I voted for Romeo Langford as well. The reason that I choose him is because (1) he started to play well before the shutdown (2) I think he is the most talented of the guys because he can create his own shot and (3) with GH's pending departure from the bubble, RL is the logical wing to get more minutes.

You cannot score if you do not play.

gyso you are always on top of things...Thanks

dboss wrote:I voted for Romeo Langford as well.  The reason that I choose him is  because (1) he started to play well before the shutdown (2) I think he is the most talented of the guys because he can create his own shot and (3) with GH's pending departure from the bubble, RL is the logical wing to get more minutes.

You cannot score if you do not play.

gyso you are always on top of things...Thanks

Forgot about that, GH will be taking a leave, we will need Romeo and the whole bench to step up. I wanted to pick more than one. If CE can find his stroke, I also like GWill, the instinctive way he plays, and gotta root for Tremont who can dish and get in teeth of defense. I really don’t think our bench is that bad. Kantor is a load in the paint and if RW can channel his gifts....

For me the choices are Romeo Langford and Tremont Waters.

Romeo because:

1.  He's coming along.  He plays good defense and doesn't make many unforced errors.  Some, he's a rookie, but not that many considering how few minutes he's played.

2.  Gordon Hayward is going to be leaving the bubble for the birth of his child.  Even if he leaves just as she goes into labor he will have to go back into quarantine before he'll be allowed to join the club and that leaves room for a wing to pick up minutes.  Romeo doesn't have Gordon's offense, but he has some size to play the position.  

Tremont Waters because:

1.  Kemba appears to be a bit fragile.

2.  The offense is very coherent when he is on the floor.

In both of these players' cases neither one of them have to explode out of the box to play above their season averages.

Dark Horses:

Javonte Green.  He's 6'4", smaller than either Romeo or Gordon, but he's a veteran who can score off the bench and our bench scoring is a clear weakness.

Semi Ojelaye.  Experience, defense Giannis about as well as one can and our first game tomorrow is against the Bucks.  If he hits his 3s that will give opposing coaches all kinds of heartburn.


bob

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cowens/oldschool wrote:

dboss wrote:I voted for Romeo Langford as well.  The reason that I choose him is  because (1) he started to play well before the shutdown (2) I think he is the most talented of the guys because he can create his own shot and (3) with GH's pending departure from the bubble, RL is the logical wing to get more minutes.

You cannot score if you do not play.

gyso you are always on top of things...Thanks

Forgot about that, GH will be taking a leave, we will need Romeo and the whole bench to step up. I wanted to pick more than one. If CE can find his stroke, I also like GWill, the instinctive way he plays, and gotta root for Tremont who can dish and get in teeth of defense. I really don’t think our bench is that bad. Kantor is a load in the paint and if RW can channel his gifts....

Cow I believe our bench was near the bottom in terms of offensive scoring. Ball don't lie. This is a pick a player poll. So it looks like you picked Gwill. Is that your final answer? GYSO set it up for vote cancelling. Kanter by the way is in our top 8.

As you know during the playoffs rotations get squeezed a bit. In absence of a blowout game most of the bench will probably not play much at all. Brad will rely heavily on his veteran guys. I like Waters very much but he is our 4th string PG. If Kemba is fully recovered his backup minutes will go to Smart and Wanamaker. When Gordon leaves the bubble Marcus will move into the starting lineup and will play a ton of minutes. Brad Wanamaker will be the first guard off the bench to replace Kemba.

The big challenges for this team is how to play with GH and how to play without him. Chemistry when disrupted turns into a toxic solution. The other challenge is finding the right mix of rotation guys to integrate into the game while maintaining offensive proficiency.

Grant's making a case for himself tonight.

I voted for CE prior to last night's break out performance. Dboss will back me up!

db

dboss wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:

dboss wrote:I voted for Romeo Langford as well.  The reason that I choose him is  because (1) he started to play well before the shutdown (2) I think he is the most talented of the guys because he can create his own shot and (3) with GH's pending departure from the bubble, RL is the logical wing to get more minutes.

You cannot score if you do not play.

gyso you are always on top of things...Thanks

Forgot about that, GH will be taking a leave, we will need Romeo and the whole bench to step up. I wanted to pick more than one. If CE can find his stroke, I also like GWill, the instinctive way he plays, and gotta root for Tremont who can dish and get in teeth of defense. I really don’t think our bench is that bad. Kantor is a load in the paint and if RW can channel his gifts....

Cow I believe our bench was near the bottom in terms of offensive scoring.  Ball don't lie.  This is a pick a player poll.  So it looks like you picked Gwill.  Is that your final answer?  GYSO set it up for vote cancelling.  Kanter by the way is in our top 8.  

As you know during the playoffs rotations get squeezed a bit.  In absence of a blowout game most of the bench will probably not play much at all.  Brad will rely heavily on his veteran guys.   I like Waters very much but he is our 4th string PG.  If Kemba is fully recovered his backup minutes will go to Smart and Wanamaker.  When Gordon leaves the bubble Marcus will move into the starting lineup and will play a ton of minutes.  Brad Wanamaker will be the first guard off the bench to replace Kemba.  

The big challenges for this team is how to play with GH and how to play without him.  Chemistry when disrupted turns into a toxic solution.  The other challenge is finding the right mix of rotation guys to integrate into the game while maintaining offensive proficiency.

dboss sorry just saw this, yes guess he would have had to be my first choice and didn’t see the game, but in highlights looks like he had a real good game, probably exceeding/surprising many. He has a toughness and intelligence to his game that I love and I think he can be a better version of P.J. Tucker going forward, that kind of player can help any team, especially in this era.

That is one mind-numbingly weak list of players.

I looked at that and thought could we really have that crappy of a bench?

I went with Semi. And I don't even think he's an NBA level talent.

Then I thought can we get rid of that whole bunch? I'm still hopeful for R Williams, but the rest don't even make a good G-League roster.

What a wake-up call.

I'm sure Danny will shake this list up.

NYCelt wrote:That is one mind-numbingly weak list of players.

I looked at that and thought could we really have that crappy of a bench?

I went with Semi. And I don't even think he's an NBA level talent.

Then I thought can we get rid of that whole bunch? I'm still hopeful for R Williams, but the rest don't even make a good G-League roster.

What a wake-up call.

I'm sure Danny will shake this list up.

Semi is as good a choice as any because he is likely to get some minutes as will Gwill. These rotation guys will have limited playing time to make their mark. Miss a couple of shots and it will be a trip to the bench. This poll is about offensive scoring. Who is going to knock down shots for us off the bench better than they did before the shutdown.

NYCelt wrote:That is one mind-numbingly weak list of players.

I looked at that and thought could we really have that crappy of a bench?

I went with Semi. And I don't even think he's an NBA level talent.

Then I thought can we get rid of that whole bunch? I'm still hopeful for R Williams, but the rest don't even make a good G-League roster.

What a wake-up call.

I'm sure Danny will shake this list up.

Are you giving up on all the young bench players or do you think some may still have potential?

The thing is....they have to get a shot at getting in the game. I just do not see Brad relying on Waters in the playoffs. If Romeo had had a little more time he probably would be the best choice other than Williams. It is just, when a game is on the line, the confidence has to be there.

cowens/oldschool wrote:

NYCelt wrote:That is one mind-numbingly weak list of players.

I looked at that and thought could we really have that crappy of a bench?

I went with Semi. And I don't even think he's an NBA level talent.

Then I thought can we get rid of that whole bunch? I'm still hopeful for R Williams, but the rest don't even make a good G-League roster.

What a wake-up call.

I'm sure Danny will shake this list up.

Are you giving up on all the young bench players or do you think some may still have potential?

Hey Cow; I hope all is good.

I guess you might say I'm just following that "eye test" fans often refer to.

I'm not trying to be super negative or overly critical of this group of young players, just making what I consider a matter-of-opinion statement. Based on observation, I don't think any of them can help the team. I really think several just aren't NBA players. You could accurately say that's behind my 'crappy bench' comment. The exceptions, to my way of thinking, might be R Williams if he can stay healthy, and maybe a very outside chance Langford can develop into something.

I also don't think that view, if correct, is a killer for the team's chances going forward. Filling bench spots outside the rotation is normally a revolving door. I believe we just need to filter more through.

other than Semi and Wannamaker, Kanter, no one came in off the bench did they? RW did not play. Oh, Grant did get in for a few minutes a couple of times, those other guys, nope. I just cannot see them getting much if any time unless it is garbage time, whether we are up or down. This is why I wondered aloud why Danny did not just bring in one guy (who will remain nameless because we have harped on it enough) A shooter, since Kemba has some question marks around him. One guy, that is all.

I guess we could have had a 'NO ONE' option. I am going to stick with Romeo because I think he can outscore Grant if given similar PT.

gyso wrote:I voted for Romeo Langford.

He had such an inconsistent season, he cannot help but improve his offensive numbers.
He is already ready to play defense.
In a wing-centric league, he will be the first wing off the bench not named Smart.

Next player to play above his average: Semi Ojeleye or Grant Williams?

I'll go with Semi.  He has the experience edge and it looks like he may have found his shot.

With Romeo Langford out with a wrist ligament injury, I changed my vote to Semi Ojeleye. I almost went with Robert Williams but I am not confident that he has Coach Brad Stevens' trust as of yet.