IZTOK ON KIDD'S DEFENSIVE SYSTEM AND THE ROSTER

[mavsluvr]

The real issue though is this. All teams that have transcendent stars do things to hide their defensive weaknesses and maximize their offense. That is on the coaching staff.

This. 


No one is asking Steph Curry to stop running around attempting threes and protect the rim instead. A book's worth of analysis was devoted to the compensations the Nash Suns team made for Steve. Transcendent stars have to devote a great deal of effort on the court, and conservation of energy is a skill like any other. Squandering energy in efforts that can't achieve material results is not heroic -- it's dumb. 

If they want Luka to address deficiencies, it probably makes more sense for him to practice shooting (for example) than to devote his energies to trying to be a stopper or trying to sculpt his body to resemble Trae Young. 

Luka may actually have it in him to be a truly great shooter, if he works his craft. But he's probably never going to be the guy who locks down the paint and also closes out on shooters, all in the same possession. Similarly, even if he lost a third of his body weight, he still wouldn't be the gazelle twinkling down the court before you can blink an eye. He doesn't have an ectomorphic body, and all the effort in the world won't give him one.  

Not to say Luka should refuse to play defense, or spend his evenings eating chips and drinking beer. But in terms of prioritizing his energy on improvements, he should be encouraged to devote his energy to goals where he can get the most bang for the buck, not places where a great deal of effort will make only a modicum of difference. There are other players in the league who can help the team by being agile defenders or running fast. But hardly anyone can do what Luka does well. 

It is on the organization to develop systems and assemble players who complement Luka's strengths and can help compensate for his weaknesses. They shouldn't demand that he cover for all their failures, and if he doesn't, shame him as a slothful and obese slacker.  Imho, anyway.