01-24-2021, 07:00 PM
(01-24-2021, 06:41 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I humbly suggest that your view on how the offense works might need just a bit more nuance. No matter how good Luka is or eventually becomes, they will always need a guy like THJ, who is MORE than just a floor spacer. I mean, floor spacing is the result of him being out there, yes, but he's a threat, not just someone standing in the corner. He moves off-ball, can get shots off quickly off of pin downs, etc, etc, etc. This is a vitally important ingredient when Carlisle is cooking the stew.
I do totally agree on this. By far the best thing would be to have that guard next to Luka, that can defend as JRich, and same time do the things you mention on offense as THJ does, and even playmake as Brunson. We just don't have that. If we would find a way to clone and merge JRich/THJ/Brunson into one single player, this would be amazing.
I also see a lot of benefits with Brunson as the guard instead of JRich and THJ that even are both on the bench. Even this is a possibility.
It comes down to whether the extra defense they provide (Jrich/DFS) is more important, than that extra offense THJ provides. I think my impression is that the overall effect of the extra defense is more important. And here it is why I think so. It is because when Luka and KP are not doubled, I think they can carry the team offensively well enough, they are that great actually. Even this last game against Houston, we made decent offensive showing. With KP in there, and Luka, and better shooters, even if they dont do more than shoot, we will always have a good offense IMO. I might be wrong however, and THJ might be essential.
Seeing the effect JRich and DFS have on Lukas defense is termendous. THJ is great on offense, but he makes a weak defending team in general, and although I do agree he tries and does play defense, I think his mentality on defense is the actual weak thing, and I think having weak defenders spreads this to the teammates. For instance, Luka the defender in the lineup with DFS, JRich and Maxi, is simply not the same defender when teaming up with THJ. There is synergy here as well. When you have players as jRich and DFS that dont just try to follow the opponent and stay in front (THJ), but actually are hungry to do that extra, to take the ball away, block, steal, it just spreads to others, and then next thing you know is you have Luka doing the same.
This is the part of synergy and mentality of the team.
We only have two new additions, and we go from a bad defense, to a great defense. Its amazing how setting the tone, can make a difference on teammates.
With THJ, there is no defensive tone and mentality if you understand what I mean. He may stay with the opponent, and he does in most cases, but there is no tone, there is no message to teammates that spread in the same way as watching Maxi/DFS/JRich.
Ultimately, I honestly believe that we might win it all, even this season, if we surround Luka/KP with two way players. If we can get some two way players, that can do more than shoot, and also make plays, or create, this would not just make us contenders, but also favourites.