re: Herb Jones Bandwagon

I’ve got my Foul “On Herb” shirts ready to print. This is going to be Willie’s biggest coaching challenge because this team is a fricking mess.

It is very typical for guys to have sophomore slumps. That’s why they call it that. Teams have now seen what these guys can and can’t do, and they game plan for them. Now they know they can leave Herb open, they know he will have his hands out on defense. They know Trey won’t move. But I will definitely admit, I am concerned.

Treye played 20 minutes last night and did not get a rebound. An athletic 6’10 guy did not get a single rebound. And his coach didn’t put him back in. These are the types of things that jump out at you.

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Problem is, Trey isn't any better. He just stands in the corner while covered 90% of the time

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there's a huge difference between standing in the corner with no one within 15' of you, and standing in the corner with a defender nearby at all times.
I'll gladly let Trey sit in the corner and not move while Zion goes 1 on 1 to the goal without help defenders.

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I do agree Naji should start. Really Naji or Trey just because of the spacing Trey can give offensively.

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Trey should start. He's better utilized with BI/Zion/CJ on the court. He doesn't have to create anything other than if he's run off the 3 point line, and i think he's done well finishing at the rim when he does that.

Naji is capable of creating offense, and we dont need any more of that when BI/Zion/CJ are on the court. We need it coming off the bench.

I feel like we should trade Herb now before his rep diminishes more.

But that will never happen. Willie loves him.

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I am of the belief that essentially every minute Trey plays should be when Zion is on the court.

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100% agree.
It's what he's on the team for, to create space for Zion.

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Eh, not wrong. I’m just saying he is slumping right now. 31% from three in January. Not a coincidence that coincides with Zion being out too, Herb much more of an issue thus far.

As an overall player, Trey does need to move better without the ball and his defense leaves a lot to be desired. I feel like he almost tries “too much” on defense. Constantly over running, over helping or leaving his feet. Might just take time.

I will be real curious what the Pels do and if they see these guys as tradable or untouchables

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Shooting slumps within a season happen. Trey should be close to untouchable in trades. 6'9 athletic wings who shoot near 50/40/90 are impossible to find.

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Dink was right, point Herb because he can’t shoot.

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Strange as it sounds, I'd guess that is one option they are probably considering, long term. Not a "normal" PG because Pels can't really use a normal PG. Just a bit more ball-handling, initiating the offense. He's actually not bad at driving to the hoop & is starting to finish a bit better but definitely needs to learn how to pass when penetrating instead of always looking to finish.

Bottome line...there are plenty of players in the NBA who can't shoot the 3 (assuming Herb gets no better at it) and plenty of ways to "use/hide" players with that particular weakness, especially if they have some other ways to contribute offensively.

DON'T JUST STAND AT THE 3-PT LINE !! Movement is good. I hate offenses with dedicated corner 3-pt shooters. Just too easy to guard & hurts the rest of your overall offense. By the way...Trey...if/when he is able to handle the ball & go to the hoop, needs to quit standing at the 3-pt line also, even though he can shoot the 3. Just waaay to easy to walk out there and stay close to Trey & keep him from shooting the 3.

Having said all that...at any time...IF the Pels decide Herb is NOT one of the top 5 wing defenders in the NBA...I could see them moving on...from the Herbster. But, I think that is a pretty big "IF"...JMO

Most definitely down with Herb. He’s in a slump shooting and it’s been at a time when the Pels in general have not been shooting well. But yea, let’s trade Pels best perimeter defender while Dyson’s out and we have, questionable at best, frontcourt defenders with limited rim protection.

I think we're all overreacting to what happens you have to ask guys to play above their pay grade. Herb will be fine. No he won't be the next Kawhi, but I think he's more likely to be a Jae Crowder than a Matisse Thybulle.

To me the key question going into the deadline is does this team need supplements/redundancy to its stars, ie Bogdonavic, or does it need compliments, like Anunoby would be.

I don't think any of us have much faith that these injury issues will go away which points to supplementary trades.