First things first... What is Rivers?

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

no he hasn't, when they had joe johnson their lineup was bibby, johnson, josh smith, horford, zaza
thats when they were at their best, horford is a true PF.

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Might want to check your starting lineups.

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Cleveland Alonzo gee?
Detroit Singler just as bad on d as Aminu is on o without the athleticism
Memphis Tayshuan done
Milwaukee mboute or whatever is Aminu lite
Phoenix don't know why they not starting Dudley but Aminu way better than Tucker

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ill give u cleveland
ill call detroit a draw
tayshaun prince no, he was very good in their playoff game, if its a 1 season thing prince is still better than aminu is right now
ill call the bucks a draw
dudley was having hamstring problems and is by far better than aminu.

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Might want to check your starting lineups.

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that was their starting lineup, or atleast i thought. anyway point stands, horford is a true PF forced to play center like bosh in toronto

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

ill give u cleveland
ill call detroit a draw
tayshaun prince no, he was very good in their playoff game, if its a 1 season thing prince is still better than aminu is right now
ill call the bucks a draw
dudley was having hamstring problems and is by far better than aminu.

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I know Dudley better, but he didn't start and still played so you can't use him. But that's fine you undervalue what Aminu brings to the table especially playing next to Lopez.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

that was their starting lineup, or atleast i thought. anyway point stands, horford is a true PF forced to play center like bosh in toronto

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Atlanta starting five was Bibby, JJ, Marvin Williams, Josh, and Horford. From day one. And I would rather Horford, Duncan, Garnett, or Bosh at center before Lopez. Hell I would almost rather see AD take that beating on a nightly basis to get Lopez off the floor. ALMOST

Why do people keep saying Rivers is better suited at point? He is just a guard at this point with hopes that he can eventually be efficient at either guard spot. At this point right now he is better suited as a 2. Point guard is still a major work in progress, but obviously they are working on it.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Why do people keep saying Rivers is better suited at point? He is just a guard at this point with hopes that he can eventually be efficient at either guard spot. At this point right now he is better suited as a 2. Point guard is still a major work in progress, but obviously they are working on it.

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When I watch the games, I feel the answer to the first question. Different viewpoints mean different perspectives I assume though.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

When I watch the games, I feel the answer to the first question. Different viewpoints mean different perspectives I assume though.

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Exactly cause I think he better suited at the point. He still more physically overmatched at 2.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Why do people keep saying Rivers is better suited at point? He is just a guard at this point with hopes that he can eventually be efficient at either guard spot. At this point right now he is better suited as a 2. Point guard is still a major work in progress, but obviously they are working on it.

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Originally Posted by Austin Rivers

Am I a two-guard? Am I a one? I feel like all of those questions were answered," Rivers said. "I played best when I was a one. Moving forward, that's what I'm going to try to do. I've always played the two. I don't know what's going to happen going into the summer.

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http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ss...ie_aus_14.html

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

Rivers = Parker, Vasquez (quicker,please go to sonic boom) =Ginobli. Davis =Duncan.


Draft a C/PG

Snag Julius Randle next year.


DyNASTY :D

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You can't really believe this.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

If that really was the case, is Monty ready to stunt that development by bringing in another young guy to run that position for the next 4 years?

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Why should Monty care? Rivers brought it on himself to enter the NBA when he wasn't ready. He stunted his own development. That is not the Pelicans' problem. Rivers just gotta compete for his job like we all gotta do in life.

As long as Vazquez isnt in the starting lineup i couldnt give a rats *** lol. Im fine with Burke or a SF; it doesnt matter to me. I do think Rivers will be a future point; handles and quickness like his dont always come hand and hand. He needs to prove he has court vision, but I was encouraged by some of the things i saw from him at the point.

I understand all the responses saying "what's wrong with Rivers being a perineal 6th man candidate"...

But I do thing here is someone wrong with the Hornets in year 1 of a rebuild drafting a player with the intent of having him develop into a 6th man. If that wasn't their intent, then knowing he was raw when they drafted him, it's baffling that they would give up on him as this teams future PG. That's essentially what they're doing if they draft/sign/trade for a PG. It strikes me as Monty draft Doc's son because of their relationship and not having a real plan for him.

I'd like to hear Monty/Dell directly answer the question of what is the plan for Austin. They can do it in the press in response to a direct question, or they can indicate it by the moves they make this summer.

My only point, it's difficult to know what this team will do without knowing how they really view Rivers.

Maybe one day we'll find out. I don't think that day is today though.

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Originally Posted by FlyGirl

Maybe one day we'll find out. I don't think that day is today though.

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Definitely not today.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

I understand all the responses saying "what's wrong with Rivers being a perineal 6th man candidate"...

But I do thing here is someone wrong with the Hornets in year 1 of a rebuild drafting a player with the intent of having him develop into a 6th man. If that wasn't their intent, then knowing he was raw when they drafted him, it's baffling that they would give up on him as this teams future PG. That's essentially what they're doing if they draft/sign/trade for a PG. It strikes me as Monty draft Doc's son because of their relationship and not having a real plan for him.

I'd like to hear Monty/Dell directly answer the question of what is the plan for Austin. They can do it in the press in response to a direct question, or they can indicate it by the moves they make this summer.

My only point, it's difficult to know what this team will do without knowing how they really view Rivers.

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they didnt draft him to be a 6th man, it just appears it might be his best role, he is a combo guard and he will continue to get minutes at PG and SG and they will watch him develop and see what becomes of him. in the draft we go BPA regardless.

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

It could be argued Lopez was our worse starter this year and should be the first one replaced.

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It's tough to decide who was the worst between Vasquez, Aminu or Lopez but I think all 3 of them would b great bench players. I hope the plan is for Davis to eventually add enough weight to be our starting C, with Anderson the starting PF. Lopez would be an ideal backup 4/5 in my opinion.

You let Rivers tell you what Rivers role should be on this team or if he should he here at all. If we do draft Burke/McCollum/Carter-Williams there's nothing Rivers has done to reserve a spot.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

76ers (if u dont wanna count this because of bynum ok he never is healthy and will be gone this year)
celtics (would be much better with KG at PF not C)
Spurs (same as celtics but with duncan)
Cavs (varejao is never healthy)
atlanta (same as spurs and celtics but with horford)
bobcats - lopez > byombo
heat - (same as celtics, bosh is a PF)

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I think it's proven they are better with him at Center

As far as the sidetracked discussion, the difference between Aminu and Lopez is I think Lopez has already reached his ceiling while Aminu can still get better. They're both quality players (starter argument aside) with unique abilities and glaring weaknesses.

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Originally Posted by donato

As far as the sidetracked discussion, the difference between Aminu and Lopez is I think Lopez has already reached his ceiling while Aminu can still get better. They're both quality players (starter argument aside) with unique abilities and glaring weaknesses.

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I agree with all of this. It just aggravates me when people always trying to upgrade GV and Chief while always giving Lopez a pass like he some top 5 center. "He was serviceable or he was efficient or he is on a cheap contract" so what! Thats just a nice way of saying he didnt suck but he not that great. he is not the starting center of a championship team so getting the center of the future should be on the list too.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

they didnt draft him to be a 6th man, it just appears it might be his best role, he is a combo guard and he will continue to get minutes at PG and SG and they will watch him develop and see what becomes of him. in the draft we go BPA regardless.

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Based off of what? His first season where he was gearing up to play BACKUP point only at the last minute to be forced to play STARTING SG for half the season? We saw the improvement by Rivers after Gordon came back and he started to finally get some minutes at the position he was drafted to play. We drafted a 3+ year project as was stated when we drafted him, and then what's the first thing we do? Make him go up against starting SGs. And then based off of how bad he played (which should have been expected because of the raw deal he got), now his ceiling is only a 6th man?

Dude AT BEST got half a season at the position he was drafted to play, in his first year of a multi year project but people are ready to wash their hands on his potential already. You know what I saw? A guy that could get to the rim at will and has amazing handling and speed. I see a guy that when he gains some weight and gets an NBA body he's going to be a great finisher. The fact that he showed those flashes in his first season undersided and outmatched encourages me that he has the skills needed to be a great player. Tbh, my biggest concern is that his head isn't messed up from how bad people dog him. Should he have come out? No. But he did and we drafted him and after seeing him play in the NBA I think Monty was right to want him.

Rivers is a PG.

I wish Rivers could turn into our PG of the future because of his skills (ball-handling, quickness and moves around the basket) a la Tony Parker. I truly think this his ceiling.
The thing is he was drafted for his scoring ability but he hasn't shown it much yet! I'm not worried at this point because he wasn't NBA ready. Right now he is a player that can create his own shot and dish some nice dimes at the NBA level and that's not negligible.
He has to show us what he is better suited for. I believe he could be a 1 but if he turns out being a better player of the bench creating for others and giving some lethal scoring with Ryno. I'm fine with that.

I think he deserve a chance.

I would draft Burke at 6 because he will be the BPA if he is there.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

I understand all the responses saying "what's wrong with Rivers being a perineal 6th man candidate"...

But I do thing here is someone wrong with the Hornets in year 1 of a rebuild drafting a player with the intent of having him develop into a 6th man. If that wasn't their intent, then knowing he was raw when they drafted him, it's baffling that they would give up on him as this teams future PG. That's essentially what they're doing if they draft/sign/trade for a PG. It strikes me as Monty draft Doc's son because of their relationship and not having a real plan for him.

I'd like to hear Monty/Dell directly answer the question of what is the plan for Austin. They can do it in the press in response to a direct question, or they can indicate it by the moves they make this summer.

My only point, it's difficult to know what this team will do without knowing how they really view Rivers.

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I think they always wanted him to play the point eventually, and probably realized that he wasn't ready to contribute much at all early, let along having "run the team" on his plate.

Honestly I think they took him because they saw a raw kid at a position of need, one with good measurables that Monty already knew had a good head on his shoulders and would work extremely hard. That last part isn't a given ... it's what makes or breaks most guys of relatively close athleticism.

if we draft burke him and rivers will be the same age and rivers will have a year of experience under his belt, cant wait to see them battle for the spot if we do take burke.

I really don’t have a problem with keeping Gordon, Vasquez, Rivers and Burke (if we draft him) on the team. I can work. It would definitely create some competition, depth at PG & SG and solidify 3 positions on the team (PG/SG/PF). I say… draft burke if he is available at 6. If he is a starter by training camp, then you have a Rivers and Vasquez coming off the bench as our backups. You would split the minutes amongst all them thus keeping everyone fresh, including Gordon, throughout the season. How is this a bad move?

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Originally Posted by Nola Hornet

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ss...ie_aus_14.html

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Yes I've seen that quote already. Just because he says that doesn't make it reality. He got better attacking the rim before his injury, but as far as running the offense, he's got a very long way to go. However, his attacking the rim will only get better as he puts on weight.

From what he's shown being a 2 has less ?? than him running an NBA offense effectively.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Yes I've seen that quote already. Just because he says that doesn't make it reality. He got better attacking the rim before his injury, but as far as running the offense, he's got a very long way to go. However, his attacking the rim will only get better as he puts on weight.

From what he's shown being a 2 has less ?? than him running an NBA offense effectively.

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Actually the offense ran smoother with him at pg cause he kept the ball moving and there was less ball pounding. He runs the pick and roll adequately and obviously he can break down his man for the drive and kick without the screen.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Yes I've seen that quote already. Just because he says that doesn't make it reality. He got better attacking the rim before his injury, but as far as running the offense, he's got a very long way to go. However, his attacking the rim will only get better as he puts on weight.

From what he's shown being a 2 has less ?? than him running an NBA offense effectively.

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Every indication from the staff to the player has pointed to him developing as a PG. Until they come out and say that they're going in a different direction, We shouldn't assume otherwise. You can ignore the signs but they are there.

if we dont take burke id let him develop at PG if we do id give him the majority of the backup minutes at the PG and SG and one day u could either trade him, keep him as ur 6th man, or if gordon is gone and after a few years rivers puts on some weight and can play the SG u leave him at SG. i see a ton of potential and versatility in Rivers.

Rivers and burke on the floor at the same time will open up a lot of things for the offense, same as burke and gordon, all three of them can shoot, break their man down, create for themselves and pass.

maybe he could develop into a non-traditional pg like George Hill, if he worked on his shooting and bulked up a bit, but honestly i dont hate the guy i just dont see much there.

Maybe he'll magically grow 3-4 inches, then voila! We have our SF!

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Actually the offense ran smoother with him at pg cause he kept the ball moving and there was less ball pounding. He runs the pick and roll adequately and obviously he can break down his man for the drive and kick without the screen.

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I don't think you really watched enough games. There were games I went to personally when Monty had to yank him out of frustration and went with Mason running the point. There were multiple games where he had back-to-back-to-back turnovers and couldnt get the offense going. Those moments occured more than the good ones. Running point in the NBA is a steep learning curve if you are not used to playing the position.

Since the off-season began, can you pick even one quote from Dell or Monty on the prospects of Rivers at point going forward? It's not like they haven't had the opportunity to talk about it, and when they have, it's been about surrounding GV with more talent if anything at all. No mentions of Rivers running that spot full time.

His best projection right now is as a combo guard but not as a full time traditional point man.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

I don't think you really watched enough games. There were games I went to personally when Monty had to yank him out of frustration and went with Mason running the point. There were multiple games where he had back-to-back-to-back turnovers and couldnt get the offense going. Those moments occured more than the good ones. Running point in the NBA is a steep learning curve if you are not used to playing the position.

Since the off-season began, can you pick even one quote from Dell or Monty on the prospects of Rivers at point going forward? It's not like they haven't had the opportunity to talk about it, and when they have, it's been about surrounding GV with more talent if anything at all. No mentions of Rivers running that spot full time.

His best projection right now is as a combo guard but not as a full time traditional point man.

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I watched a lot and Monty pulled everybody out of frustration this year it's not just Austin. And I can remember watching many games and saying the offense ran more smoother and ball movement was improved with him out there at 1. Maybe because he wasn't always running up to people to take the ball out their hands like GV. I'm not saying he is a finished product but he is learning and needs more reps to get better. We don't know what his best projection is till he is given consistent time at pg. But what is very obvious is that his aggressiveness is not the same when he is at 2.

The more I watched Rivers, the more I came to believe he is best suited to be a PG. He gets to the basket and slices through the lane extremely well, he just needs to be a better finisher. I honestly want us to trade GV and start Rivers. Who cares if we lose for one more year? A parker or Wiggins would make up for it, and Rivers would gain a lot more experience.

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Originally Posted by spacejesus

The more I watched Rivers, the more I came to believe he is best suited to be a PG. He gets to the basket and slices through the lane extremely well, he just needs to be a better finisher. I honestly want us to trade GV and start Rivers. Who cares if we lose for one more year? A parker or Wiggins would make up for it, and Rivers would gain a lot more experience.

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I wanted that this year. But I guess they figured he wasn't ready for that. Hopefully they feel differently now.

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Originally Posted by spacejesus

The more I watched Rivers, the more I came to believe he is best suited to be a PG. He gets to the basket and slices through the lane extremely well, he just needs to be a better finisher. I honestly want us to trade GV and start Rivers. Who cares if we lose for one more year? A parker or Wiggins would make up for it, and Rivers would gain a lot more experience.

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agree

I still think rivers is one year out from starting, especially at a position he only has 1/2 a season experience with. My concern is if we start Rivers too early people are not going to realize we are developing him and just think, "omgez he sucks. Draft the next hot ticket PG from this year's draft."

Basically, I wouldn't be against him starting, but I think it would do ore harm with the fanvase then help.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

I still think rivers is one year out from starting, especially at a position he only has 1/2 a season experience with. My concern is if we start Rivers too early people are not going to realize we are developing him and just think, "omgez he sucks. Draft the next hot ticket PG from this year's draft."

Basically, I wouldn't be against him starting, but I think it would do ore harm with the fanvase then help.

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This may be true, but what is also true is Monty don't give a damn about the fanbase thinks.

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

This may be true, but what is also true is Monty don't give a damn about the fanbase thinks.

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Agreed, i think after a year of rivers learning the NBA and an entire offseason of training we should make him the starter and let him take his lumps, who cares about the fan base, i think if he starts this season and next season by his 4th season he will be pretty darn good, plus having a healthy gordon will make things a lot easier on him.

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

I wanted that this year. But I guess they figured he wasn't ready for that. Hopefully they feel differently now.

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They figured he wasn't ready for it because his actual play at the spot said so. I was one of the folks on here who was hoping Rivers would show enough last summer to start at point, but that was only becuase I knew what we were in for with GV starting there. It became obvious why GV was our best option at PG last season when Rivers had to run the show. There were flashes here and there, but if you had your eyes open, those flashes were buried by constant mistakes and TOs. There is also a court savvy field generalship you need at that spot that Rivers never showed, and the reasons for that is obvious. He was never groomed to play that spot until last year.

I can pretty much guarantee that Rivers is gonna blow people back with how good his performance is this year, he learned the game at the end of the season, it finally slowed down to him, he was a great scorer and defender, he has all off season to work on his left hand and get stronger, this year dude is gonna be much improved, i can see him averaging 13-3-3

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

I can pretty much guarantee that Rivers is gonna blow people back with how good his performance is this year, he learned the game at the end of the season, it finally slowed down to him, he was a great scorer and defender, he has all off season to work on his left hand and get stronger, this year dude is gonna be much improved, i can see him averaging 13-3-3

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That must be off the bench.