07-17-2024, 02:34 PM
(07-17-2024, 01:37 PM)audiosway Wrote: At times I think he will. He still can. Just not for entire games while also being the 2nd option on an offense predicated on movement. But, while he is in the starting lineup he'll have no problem slowing small PGs. He essentially bullies them. Most of the time if Klay is guarding a smaller player he will body them up. The reason is due to his size. When he is right up on them they have trouble seeing over him to pass out of it and they can't just go around him due to his quick hip switch. If they do somehow get by him it's normally close enough to the rim that he's able to recover with length and block or effect the shot or just guide them right into the rim protector.
He's never been quick footed but has a quick first step when players start to drive. He also has a tendency to put his leg around a screen making it so that the opposing guard has a hard time shaking him around it. Most of the time I think they will have Luka guarding either a wing or in the post (3-4). Kyrie will probably be used similar to Steph on defense. If he got on a guy that was trouble for him Klay would switch over quickly with Steph.
It will actually work well since Klay will mostly be shooting spot up. He will be able to be fresh on defense. With Klay as the second option in GS he was having trouble playing 30+ mpg, shooting well, and guarding the other team's best perimeter player. GS's system is like running a track meet. They never stop moving.
So now with Klay being the 3rd option it's going to make it so that he looks closer to 85-90% of his prime self since he won't have to move so much. Offense with Klay will be way less movement on him. He will also have much more open shooting. If not, Luka and Kai will be destroying teams inside.
I also think that Kidd will stagger minutes during the game to make sure that there is always great defense on the court. So, Luka, Klay, and Kai will start and finish games. But, during the games they will be staggered quite a bit with Gafford, Grimes, Naji, Exum, and Hardy. I have a feeling that we'll see Kidd run that top 10 most of the time for the season. That way he can trim it to 8 in the playoffs with the option of 10 deep depending on matchups.
All of this said, if I'm being very nit picky Klay does have the tendency to space at times on defense. It's normally during the long season. So, he will have some lapses here and there. That's just that he doesn't lock in for all 82 games 48 minutes. He will also have some poor shooting nights. Nothing like THJ but it does happen. Steph even has them. Normally if you see Klay go 3-10 from 3. Expect his name game to be 6-10. He doesn't do it back to back and it doesn't happen often or a lot. Even though he is a top notch defender still and one of the best shooters of all time he's not perfect. Just keeping it real.
Hmmm. I have heard of smaller guys using strength to guard up, but I have not heard of bigger players using strength to guard down. I guess we will see. I think its reasonable to have concerns that he will be able to play that role. I do agree that he will likely be staggered with Luka and Kyrie so it shouldn't be much more than 10 minutes a game.