MAVS 120, HORNETS 96

[burekemde]

Sabonis was played off the floor in last years play in game and locked down by our very own "bad" defender Luka in the olympic qualifier. People that did not like KPs defense last season will be suprised that it can get even worse. Just as slow on the perimeter with even less rim protection.

I didnt pay attention to his defense, that doesnt sound so good. But next to KP, that is maybe acceptable.

However, on offense side, he has the tools to transform our offense. He sets screens even better than Powell, which is crazy improtant. Then, he positions himself after pick and roll even better than Powell. Not rim rolling, but in position to get the ball and finish around the rim. Luka would exploit that sixth sense of positioning Sabonis can do. Next, he finishes around the rim at an elite level. its crazy to say this, but in the modern NBA not many can do that, and the entire league could do this until the modern day of 3 ball. It's such an important skill that is undervalued. Maxi, KP do not have that elite touch around the rim to finish and layup. Powell has some of it and Bobi as well, but not close to Sabonis. WCS is strictly horrible in this sense, I wouldnt even trust him to make an open layup, he could miss it.

Finally, a skill that Sabonis has, and that none of our other players have with Luka and JB as exceptions, is driving to the rim. If you pay attention, when he gets the ball in the high post, he is really great driving to the basket and finishing.

All of that make him a player that would add skills to our team, that we either dont have, or lack. I do see Luka fitting perfectly well with Sabons in pick and roll as well with KP, and I do see fit with KP as well.

If his defense is not top notch as you say, then it does put some extra pressure on KP to be at elite physical level, which is I guess a disadvatnage of going for a big that is not defensive minded. But he has a crazy fit on offense.