IMHO, Dragic was not propared to deal with hyperspeed point guards. In 2009 -10, few teams were able to put their top on-the ball defender on him because they feared Barbosa. Once Leandro was traded, Dragic's weakness at hanging onto the ball or panicing became apparent.
My suspicion is that Dragic might actally be better suited to playing the #2 position along side a better ball handler. But this was not what the Suns needed.
George, Barbs only played in half the games(44) and short minutes at that - seven less that his career average. Besides if you'd watched the games you'd know Leandro was not highly effective that year. For example 32% on threes and career low in assists, too.
Last summer, as soon as the Suns didn't resign Amundson I predicted that Gentry was likely to discard the practice of having a second platoon and the effect of that on Dragic would be to make him revert to prior behavior.
Goran was the leader of second unit (along with Lou) and they could move away from 'Nashball' - and clearly he thrived on that. Hell, every backup we've had for Nash has played like crap - worse than they played in any other circumstance. On that basis alone I thought Dragic's demise was quite predictable. As was his resurgence with the Rocks.
Brooks may do considerably better as Nash's backup this year, given a training camp and a full recovery from his ankle problems. I don't see his game as being all that dependent on the offensive style he's playing - whatever it is he's going to be a relentless shooter. He also thinks he's a great player - an illusion but, at least, he won't suffer from lack of confidence. The other guy, for similar reasons, that I think would do well as Nash's sub is Jimmer. (This is not a complaint against our draft choice.)
Zabian Dowdell didn't do badly and if Gentry et al. think he's progressing well enough, they might pass on Brooks even if his offer isn't prohibitive. I don't think Brooks is our PGOF so I'm good with that.
Sorry i couldn't resist.
