HAWKS 113, MAVS 87

[hakeemfaan]

Have we considered the idea that KP doesn't WANT to do that? Or even that he flat out WON'T? I don't know that this is the reason, but it's getting more and more plausible, at least to me. 

Also, can't really run two-man stuff with Luka and KP with Powell on the floor - too easy to commit an extra defender to support, even on the weak side. Even if Powell is as far away as possible, his man will not be, because the GOAL of the defense in that situation will be to shut down the action with Luka/KP (and their preferred outlet) and force Powell to brick a 3. That's what they want. 

When they announced Powell as a starter I was open to it, because I thought that meant we would see a return to the Luka/Powell pick and roll game  with KP spacing (HE can shoot). As @"DanSchwartzgan" tells us about once a week, this was the foundation of an all-time great offense. Now, I'm fine with ANY other plan Kidd has, too, but I'm with @"burekemde" on this one: if Powell is NOT going to be the first option in the pick and roll game (something we know he's elite doing) then WHY ON EARTH is he out there?

If KP has some issues with it then as a coach you either get him to buy in or force him to or sit him out. That’s what a coaching staff is supposed to do. 

The Powell stuff for me is irrelevant. He is a fringe player. If he doesn’t fit what Kidd wants to do with KP and Luka, Powell will be spending time on the bench as the season goes along. 

Whether it was KP not listening or Luka not listening or the coaching staff not committing to find a scheme for Luka and KP to play off one another, to me the fact in year 3 we are still debating how best to play them together has been the biggest failure over the last two seasons for this organization.