Thankfully come season start we'll have a rotation set where he wont be playing his pick'n'pops with Russell Robinson or boxing out with Daryl Watkins.
Do people realize how much this statement nails down the situation?
That game I saw on Wednesday was absolutely painful for me when Z was in the game with all the scrubs. They were all stupid and didn't know anything about getting into sets, and that sadly includes Jawad out there. And a great reason why I feel Andre and Russ no longer deserve any contract here. He even threw the mouth piece, it was that obvious.
People have to realize that Z is still a high level player, but not when Mike Brown forces him to stay out there with stupid people. You could even see him pointing that to the staff. While Z can't create his shot like he did back in 2006, he has some ability to post up if you give it to him in the right situation. But the pick and pops are critical to getting him and using him correctly to win games. Boobie, Moon, even those guys were showing competence with those plays, and they aren't even close to point guards. Mo, Delonte, Anthony, and especially LeBron should be able to also get him those looks.
Besides that, we have to trust the fact that a Hickson, a Darnell, even the occasional Andy will help to allow him to box out as usual. They can't double him that way on the boards. Additionally, if the defense on the pick will play their role like they should (not like those garbage patch idiots), Z can still show, but also contest the shots and force the ball to be re-directed to some extent.
But Z will be able to work with the best, as long as we don't force him to re-live 2003. I know this because when he was paired with competent guys like Andre Miller, Matt Harpring, Clarence Weatherspoon (when he was still fairly good), etc., the team went 15-9 with him in the lineup in the old 2000-2001 season.
He just needs to keep adjusting to bench play. He's a patient guy. He'll get it worked out.
Meanwhile, they're surviving just fine with Z out there with guys like KURZ and ROBINSON. Replace those guys (and Karl) with regulars like Andy, Delonte, and the like... and voila!
Ok, go back to your complaints now...
