Just to put things in perspective, we had geriatric Jose Calderon starting for us at point guard last year (quite possibly the worst starting point guard in the entire league) with a terrible and inconsistent Jerian Grant backing him up for most of the year (up until the end of the season when he finally started and showed some promise)
We were at a major disadvantage at point guard every single game and still managed to win 32 games.
Now add Drose and Jennings as our point guard tandem this year. Rose was the youngest MVP in the history of the Association and was once one of the few franchise players in the league--a player who is the face of your franchise and who you build around. The only reason we were able to get him in his prime on an expiring deal (28) is obviously the injury history and Chicago needing to hit the reset button and start over. If he can get back to being anything remotely close to the player he was prior to the injuries, (even 50% would be a major upgrade over Calderon last year), then our team is greatly improved.
Jennings also is a dynamic player with a lightning quick first step and uncanny dribbling ability. Prior to the achilles injury, he was a borderline all-star and upper-tier point guard in the league. The only reason we we able to get him on a one year, cheap contract in an overpriced market is that he's still working his way fully back from the injury. He proved last year, even not at 100% and fully recovered, that he could handle a reserve role and be a quality backup (although he still has the talent and skill to be a starter when fully healthy).
Here's what to love about these signings:
1) There is NO RISK involved to offset injury concerns. Rose is on an expiring deal and Jennings is on a one year contract. If it doesn't work out, then between the two we free up an additional 26 mill dollars in cap space for 2017, which is the best free agent class for franchise point guards (Westbrook, Curry, Paul, Lowry). Just on their expiring contracts alone, we could sign an elite pg to a max deal to replace them.
2) Both have major incentive and motivation to have great years and get back to playing at their former, high levels prior to the injuries, in order to get their next big contract. They are also both hungry to prove the naysayers wrong.
3) Both are still in their prime years (Rose - 28, Jennings - 26), which means they can bounce back.
4) Both are attacking point guards who go after defenses and create off the dribble for themselves and others. We had 0 of this least year with Calderon--the most passive and unathletic point guard in the league who couldn't create at all. Hornacek needs attacking point guards for his offensive system and thrived with them in Phoenix having Barkley, Thomas and Dragic.
5) We will finally play fast and push the pace. Rose and Jennings will push the pace and look to get fast break opportunities and quicker, easier shots, rather than always getting into the slow, plodding triangle. Jose walked the ball up the court last year and waited for opposing defenses to get set in order to initiate the triangle. Horny already said he wants to push the ball and the pushing will be unrelenting with either Rose and Jennings running the point. We had by far the slowest pace in the league last year; that will greatly improve next year.
6) Just on a sheer talent and skill level, Drose and Jennings are infinitely better than an aging Calderon and inconsistent Grant. Just on talent alone.
7) Calderon was the worst point guard defender in league last year being a turnstile and creating mismatches and help all over the court. Rose and Jennings are athletic enough when motivated to stay in front of their man.
We should be a playoff team next year based on the major upgrades at PG alone. This was our glaring weakness last year and what teams badly exploited.
