EVCat wrote:
(here's where I piss off both sides)
The truth seems to lie somewhere in the middle here, as with most things...
97Cats...I don't know you. I just read your stuff from time to time and you are clearly both connected and knowledgeable about the game. But it is clear personal knowledge of what Ramon did in handcuffing Miller with threats of transfer colors your view of PJC. We were both high on Thornton, and I think re-classifying and moving across the country to play in a meat grinder with a head coach who is a CEO these days chewed him up and spit him out. I still think he could be very good. And our pursuit of him and any PG seems to have been chilled by the actions of PJC's family, of which you know a great deal. I think it is fair to say this helped cloud your view of PJC's upside. And if I have accurately summed up what you know, we should all be angry with that family, because we really needed PG play, especially last year.
But PJC has shown signs, before the ankle injury (and, quite frankly, in his first games back from the injury where he played even more in control and like a true point, maybe because of his limited mobility), of being a good enough PG to take this team places. He will never be an elite PG, and if his shot doesn't materialize, he needs to stop jacking up threes (I know he was thought of as a good perimeter shooter coming in, but unless last weekend is the expectation going forward, he needs to be more of a distributor). But when his wheels are there, he does a very good job of finding Dusan in the post (there seems to be a connection there), and his court vision seemed about 10X better in transition this year. He is not the best PG in the league, but he is the best we have, no matter the reason, and he appears to be improved and ready to win both at home and on the road. He is rarely the worst player on the court.
thx for the post and thx for taking the time.
i have no personal problem with him or his dad. i look at Cartwright as the player ONLY, and i think hes best suited as back-up and if allowed to be that back-up player who can get comfy in his role and find his rhythm, he can and will be productive.
my position is hes not a a starting caliber 30+ mpg leading player for Arizona -- cut it however you want, i dont think he is, thats it. i know its just my opinion, i understand that and others disagree.
however, IMO, Cartwright isnt best utilized as the primary starter at PG, hes not made up for it and its not natural for him, at least not up to this point.
now with Trier back, Allonzo alleviates so much pressure on everyone, including Cartwright, who can come off the bench with more confidence and be successful the majority of the time, as a back-up
prior, i felt like he was being forced into a position where success was going to be very difficult to achieve, and as ive said many times, thats not the kids fault.
*** question *** who was the worst player on the floor vs USC????
