BTW, since I'm sure people think I'm the anti-Buddy (I'm not), here is the argument for Buddy and his time/shots, because he's still a relatively inefficient player, but not as much as he was:
- Buddy isn't the one putting our lineups out there or picking the minutes.
- He's now right at his career numbers for FG%, 3PT%, eFG% and PER. He's moved in the right direction this season. Those numbers aren't all world, but they are fine for what we can expect.
- In his last 9 games, he has hit 50% or more of his threes 5x. He has a few iffy games in there, but let's be real, even if those are against some mediocre or bad teams, he's still putting in the work.
- The disparity in FGA/game has gone down between the guys that shoot the most on our team.
- AG continually goes rogue on offense. This cannot be understated. When we get a rebound and Kadary is calling for the ball and then you see AG ALSO CALLING FOR THE BALL so he can just go up, dribble, dribble shoot, I am cringing.
- Q has looked shook and is passing up shots. Q is, by far, my biggest worry on the team now. If he regresses, we are cooked. Someone has to fill up the scoring that he was doing.
- I'm guessing if you gave Kadary truth serum and asked whom he trusts to pass the ball to the most, it would be Buddy.
- Even if he isn't the greatest defender, putting him out there with Kadary gives us serious height up top.
- His back down and/or dribble into the lane leaves a lot to be desired against competent teams. He gets caught a lot. It's not great. But sometimes it's what he has to do because if JGIII is out there locked up, AG is calling for the ball to shoot a 35 footer and Q is shaking in his boots, what else is there? He cannot blow by his guy like LeBron so he does what he can. Is what it is. If he even got a little hesi move and some lift, I would like to see him with a mid range J there instead of having to back down his guy or dribble head down.
I don't need Buddy's counting stats to prove his worth. His counting stats leave a lot to be desired when you look at efficiency.
BUT, he can go NBA Jam from three. He plays well with Kadary. He isn't showboating for the NBA like AG and he isn't shook like Q. Competency and awareness matter.
There are times where it looks like the only guys we have that don't get scared when we go down is Buddy, Kadary and Bras. Nerve when the going gets tough matters.
I just want to see what Buddy/Kadary can do from the get go. What damage can we do if Kadary is breaking down guys off the dribble and Buddy gets open looks from the tip.
He is not All American and that is ok. He is not the most talented player on the roster and that is ok. He isn't an elite shooter, but he can get hot, and that is ok.