The Rotation (2020-2021)

[Jason Terry]

Interesting tidbits all around. 

Dan makes a good point that i think gets to the heart of it: “ it was the coaches decision to run the action through powell and have KP stand in the corner” 

What are the requirements for a big to play next to KP? This is the key

I want KP on the perimeter similar to Dirk offensively. His game there is a matchup nightmare for all teams. Defensively KP is the rim protector. Essentially a 4 on offense and 5 on defense. This setup allows: 1) KP to do what he does best 2) minimizes wear and tear on KP(hopefully)

Therefore our big next to KP needs to be able to do everything else. Pick and roll is a must (It’s easy buckets with Luka). Passable 3 pt shooting and scrappy offensive rebounder(KP is on the perimeter so someone else needs to crash offensive boards). Also needs to be able to set screens for Luka.  Defensively this player needs to be able to switch and guard players on the perimeter. Essentially a 5 on offense and 4 on defense. 

Powell checks all the boxes if he comes back healthy. I see it less of a starter position and more of a conga line of scrappy players who can throw down ally’s from Luka. The most physically demanding position on the team. Ideally, DFS and Maxi are versatile bench players. DP/Johnson/New Player is the starter. The Johnson contract would be outgoing in any trade situation

This ignores everything that happened when Powell went down. Also the Dirk era basketball is long gone. KP is not Dirk, he's more like a Dirk/Chandler hybrid and the NBA has changed. Dirk used to set up in the post a TON. Now Rick doesn't like post-ups and KP isn't particularly good at them anyway. The problem is that KP doesn't have as much to do when Powell or any other non-shooting big is out there bc the big is setting screens, not KP. If Powell is anywhere but the top of the key, the defense will ignore him. When you pair KP with a big that can shoot then you have options. That is to say a Maxi or Johnson can set picks or they can stand at the 3 point line.

Powell can move his feet and plays okay team defense but he doesn't block shots or make steals. He doesn't even really bother shots. The Powell as starter era died when he blew out his achilles and KP found his unicorn magic as the true 5 on this team.

Everything after Powell went down was more necessity than indicative of what the future holds IMO

What KP is is just what we both describe: hybrid Dirk/Chandler. The Dirk Era IS the new era of basketball. We have been playing new style ever since Nellie ball. It just seems different since everyone else stole our formula. I rarely remember Dirk having anything resembling a traditional post up game. It was more a midrange game disguised as post up. Everything was based on using his large frame to gain an advantage using angles. KP can do the same even though he’s nowhere near the all time great level of shooter.

I just don’t get how it’s a “problem KP doesn’t have much to do if another big is out there setting screens”. That’s not a problem to me, it’s the solution. KP setting a million screens = short career