The way I see it
Every team has the challenge of finding the right mix of talent; the optimal mix of offense & defense, size, etc...
When we analyze our roster, and take the data from the ladder part of last season with STAT & Melo, we can conclude:
1. We lacked size in the middle, thus we performed poorly on defense and on the boards; partly due to our size, and the consequences of our system.
We addressed this deficiency by signing Chandler.
2. Our system resulted in being 2nd in offense with STAT & Melo among the league leaders in scoring- obviously. Scoring was never the problem. Either by design, or virtue of chucking up a volume of shots, we scored.
Now with our current roster, and taking into account the many variables such as: players are more familiar, shortened season with many back-to-backs
...and with our front court set
we really only need to decide the right mix in the back-court.
Yeah we hope it's B-Diddy running the point, if not we have short-term options. That leaves us with the two.
Landry brings rebounding, spacing, and passing, but is limited in on-ball defense, shooting, and he has an average handle. His success came on put-backs, the occasional kick-out three, and drawing fouls while driving.
If we could design the prototypical two for us with TC-STAT-MELO-B. DIDDY we would have to include some of what Landry brings, namely his overall hustle as most of the primarily important duties should be handled by the four mentioned above. But we would also HAVE to demand spot up shooting and something else Landry lacks... DEFENSE!
Yes we've addressed our size issue. But now the tweaking has begun. With Shumpert, if he can prove his shooting prowess; if he can mimic or eclipse Field's bball IQ (rebounding or not), he adds an element we need in my opinion...
PERIMETER DEFENSE. That's where defense starts, on the perimeter. Playing the passing lanes, thwarting penetration, help defense ALL HAVE TO BE INCORPORATED if we want to transform into a quality defensive team. Neither of the four-horsemen can do this. Fields cannot do this.
The issue isn't if Imax can do this... the issue is, is that the best decision for our success. Whatever drop-off that may result from replacing Fields, should be negated with what Imax brings.
Why would we leave an athletic defender on the bench for spot duty while missing one in our starting back-court? Field's skill set is perfect for a bench role. In a 66 game season, allow a confident, athletic freak hit the ground running. Allow Fields to settle into his new role. Stop forcing the round peg into the square hole.
START IMAX and watch him cause havoc on the perimeter.
We had the lead in many games last season... Imax can make sure we keep it this season.