09-09-2021, 07:24 PM
(09-09-2021, 06:52 PM)Tyler Wrote: I see it as a matter of player development. Rarely is the most efficient usage of individual talent immediately evident, especially when multiple variables are involved in a team environment. Sometimes there are growing pains that hurt near-term efficiency but are hugely helpful in the long run.
An extreme example would be never playing Green because the stats say that the team isn't very efficient when he's on the court. But the effect is that he never develops the necessary skills to fit the current paradigm and the team never takes the time do discover his best usage. And the end result is that you waste a good long-term talent in the name of maintaining the status-quo to maximize near-term efficiency.
The KP situation isn't quite like that, but I do think that the team got a bit lazy last year when it comes to putting him in a position to succeed. All I'm sayin' is that I'd like to see what happens when the coaches actively try to build him up rather than force him into a box. IMO, the guy who encouraged Giannis to embrace playing like a PG rather than forcing him into the post is a particularly interesting person to take on the KP challenge.
Interesting. With KP having been in the league for so many years, and even having been an All-Star, he wouldn't usually be considered a prime candidate for needing much development, normally speaking, I would think. But of course, even the best players can always improve or add certain skills.
Do you have certain skills/development in mind that you think he should emphasize? Setting better screens? Overcoming his propensity to pop instead of roll? Developing the ability to take advantage of smaller players guarding him? I could see any of these, or other skills, working advantageously. I start running out of so many ideas when I think about the defensive end. Anything you think they should do, in particular? Things the coaches should help to be more effective, in addition to using him differently?