Handlogten's Heros
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Not cool story bro at all... I think a lot of the problems with this team are mental... I been preaching that we need an ******* for a couple years. You can call it an enforcer if you want but I think the best/most competitive teams have that guy. It can burn you up or it can bring out the best in all of these types of guys. Its why I've move from "we need a disruptive perimeter defender" to "we need a good perimeter defender who is a competitive *******". I think all the guys can feed on the energy and effort of that guy. If you get a Marcus Smart type who is basically going to fight everyone and die out on the basketball court it feeds everyone... he can call out everyone cuz its just "Marcus being Marcus".On the one hand, we have two dudes that have all the appearances of leadership but don’t actually do it (Donovan and Quin), and on the other we have a dude that’s awkward and passive-aggressive but at least tries (Gobert).
Somewhere in between we have Conley who preaches calmly and quietly, opting more to lead by example, but won’t hold people accountable or raise hell if it’s needed.
It would be great if we had anyone that checked all the boxes, but we don’t. It would be great if each of their leadership shortcomings were filled by the strengths or efforts of others, but it appears that they don’t (which is probably why the disconnect is as destructive as it is). Of all three styles, I rank fake leaders (Derek Fisher types) last.
This is a very “cool story, bro.” post. You’re welcome.
I'm not a huge "intangibles" guy in part because of the fake intangibles guys like Fisher. Guys like Smart, Tucker, Green, Crowder, Jimmy Butler, CP3, Pat Bev.... that are going to grind, fight, cheat, agitate to find every advantage really bring teams an edge that is needed... we have a huge void there and I think the other good qualities of the guys mentioned might really start to pop if we add that ingredient.
The math on a Marcus Smart deal probably doesn't make sense... Locke basically kinda held his nose at the idea a little and thinks his contract is yucky... he isn't a guy that will shine in the efficiency models... but he's been a winning player since like day 1 and he's a guy that will fight everyone... and lack of fight is a nebulous intangible problem we have.