(09-15-2020, 01:04 PM)Mapka Wrote: [ -> ]I think playing "center" against the Rockets isn't a thing for AD 'cause he hasn't to defend a center.
I also think, when they're playing the nuggets they will try the centers again, so AD can save some Energy not defending Jokic.
Am I missing something?
No, I agree with that, and said so above. I do think the energy Davis has to expend on defense is a factor.
But, I think the spread pick and roll between Murray and Jokic is a much more lethal threat than Jokic simply getting post touches. And, I think that while Morris (for example) against Jokic in the post is slightly worse than McGee/Howard, I think Howard/McGee against that pick and pop game is even worse by comparison, and by a significant margin.
In other words, McGee/Howard playing drop coverage (they will have no choice but to do this because they can't blitz and they DAMN SURE can't switch onto Murray) against the spread pick and roll game is way, way worse than living with Davis (as much as possible) or Morris (doing his best, Kleber vs. Kawhi style) playing Jokic 1 on 1. It's my opinion, but I feel good about it.
And, I think it's important that we understand that the spread pick and roll offense is how Denver WANTS to play. If you don't take that away, we'll likely never see an adjustment that results in McGee/Howard getting to play 1 on 1 defense, anyway. I mean, look at how much more easily Denver just whooped Utah, once they got into a rhythm. Jokic has been good consistently, despite the presence of Gobert, but Murray was WAY better in round 1!!
Now, playing two bigs probably does get you an advantage on the glass, but if your defense (both transition and half court) is hapless, does it matter?
This is why guys like Giannis, Bam and Davis (if he ever accepts the challenge) are so valuable. They can do it all. Even Gobert, in my opinion, is starting to look out of place on the court too often. Don't get me started on Adams/Drummond/Whiteside types. They're just stealing money at this point.
From what I've seen, my opinion is this: to do for a team today what Chandler did for the Mavs in 2011 (almost a decade ago!!!) you have to be even more athletic than he was then. You have to be even quicker, ever lighter on your feet. The 2020 version of Tyson Chandler is like a Bam, for example, and to me, the same people who wanted Haywood playing more than Chandler back then are still about 10 years behind reality.
In 2020, "rim protection" is very often about the ability to recover from the three point line, chasing a guard into the paint in order to alter the shot. The days of having a big stay within 10 feet of the rim at all times (against a good team) are over.
Incidentally, what started me on this voyage of thinking differently about the center position and defense was the opportunity we had back in 2010-11, when in less than a year we got to see the same team and coach move from Dampier to Haywood to Chandler. All those dudes are similar in size, but with each progression, SOME (not all, but some) strength was sacrificed for speed, quickness, effort and basketball IQ. Each step in the progression raised the level of the team's play significantly on both sides of the floor, in my opinion. There's definitely a point where you get diminishing returns by pushing this thinking too far. For example, in 2011 Dirk wouldn't have been effective enough at full time center. He needed to play with another big in that era, but it had to be the right type. If Dirk were in his prime today, I'm all in on thinking he would be a center.
