Before everyone freaks out, let me explain. I think Stew should start games with Cade, but still have <= minutes than Duren, and doesn’t always finish games.
Stewart is a better defender and shooter than Duren, and we need to see Cade in a lineup with spacing. By starting Stewart we have more options for the other starters around them. We could play Ivey/Ausar and not be worried about their shooting since there’s 4 other shooters out there.
I imagine a lineup of Cade, Ivey/Ausar, Tek, Harris, Stewart. Ausar could help with the lost rebounds from Duren, brings defense, and could play in the dunker spot. Ivey could get good minutes with Cade where not being closed out hard isn’t hindering the offense, and we don’t have 2 of our worse defenders out there. Or we could play THJ and go for a true 5 out starting lineup.
Right now our team has a lot of question marks around its shooting. Once/if some players(like Ivey) can become respectable shooters, then starting Duren wouldn’t be as big of a problem. Also, I like the Idea of Duren coming in against players in the second lineup. I think he would do significantly better on offense and be able to hold his own defensively better, allowing for more development. He’s still 20 and has lots of time to grow.
by ethzz4
13 Comments
While I think you make good points, I’d still start Duren, at least to begin the year.
You remember how different Cade started looking his rookie year when we traded for Bagley, aka a rim running big? Maybe Bickerstaff changes it, but Cade likes to run a lot of PnR, and having an athletic roller like Duren is another way to create “spacing”. When Duren rolls, defenders on the perimeter have to cheat in to help, giving more room to our shooters. A starting lineup of Cade/Beasley/Tek/Tobias/Duren would put an incredible amount of pressure on opposing defenses whenever a PnR is run.
I agree with your concern about the Ausar/Duren fit, and try to get Ausar/Stew tied at the hip. They fit so well theoretically, especially once Ausar improves as a screener. I think Ausar’s best role on offense, until/if he becomes a shooter, is similar to the one Draymond plays for GSW; just run around setting screens, cutting, and using his BBIQ to get into advantageous positions for him or his teammates.
Cade needs an athletic roll man much more than he needs shooting at the 5 spot. Cade lives in the PnR. Duren is an awesome lob catcher. Stew is great, but he is a terrible roll man
If Duren is still a sieve on defense, I agree.
Coach JB is gonna make everyone earn it
Too early to make that decision. I don’t think it’s a given that Duren starts, but I’m glad that it will be Bickerstaff’s decision.
Yeah if we playing Capture the Flagg. Either way I think our frontcourt is gonna be our downfall this season 🤷🏿♂️
Pels fan and I’d love Beef Stew as our 5
He’s not starting.
Cade + Duren + our 3 best shooters (Tek, Beasley, Tobias?). Fuck defense. Just put up buckets.
Stew and Ausar are the stoppers off the bench if/when the other team goes on a run. Ivey and THJ are our bench scorers. The hope is that Ivey eventually shoots well enough that we can swap his role with Tek or Beasley.
I get where you’re coming from and there’s an argument to be made for Stew starting. I personally would still go with Duren, as I think he’s the most beneficial for Cade. Duren is an elite rebounder and pick and roll rim runner. Cade’s strength isn’t breaking down guys in ISO, it’s having a good pick and roll partner to help him get into the paint and create for himself or others. Yes, Duren had a really bad defensive season, but he has the most potential, size, and athleticism, so I’d still start him over Stew given Stew’s major flaws offensively. Stew can space the floor decently, but he’s still relatively inexperienced there, so he’s only helping on truly wide open looks. If he needs to put the ball on the floor or try to make moves inside, it’s almost a guaranteed turnover. His shot is also not fluid and takes a long time, so he’s not providing the level of scoring gravity that even Muscala does (who is a 3rd string big at best). Unfortunately, we weren’t in the running to sign a quality defensive 5 (Claxton, IHart), so given the roster, I think Cade + Duren + 3 spacers will give us a better chance in the starting line-up. I also feel that Ivey and Ausar haven’t earned a starting spot (not saying they are bad and they can certainly earn it over the course of the season).
Delete this? Stew is one of my favs tho
If stew was legit just one more inch taller with a bit more athleticism he’d be a starting center in the league. I can see him taking huge minutes but a back up is perfect. Championship level role player.
I was ready to come in here swinging assuming that you were suggesting running him at the 4 next to Duren when with Tobias on the roster.
This, I don’t agree with it, but I do understand the vision.