03-23-2021, 04:13 AM
After a very convincing W I don't want to be the party pooper but Luka's domination is not sustainable in the playoffs. Luka's a nightmare for any defense - he needs to get doubled and I fear this is what is going to happen in the playoffs. Also some playoff opponents have guys like LeBron himself or Kawhi to throw at you (show Luka's greatness when only those to come to mind). I agree that Luka can punish almost anybody on the inside and he should do it. But when he gets doubled consistently, we are in trouble. We saw this to some extent already in the regular season. Boston did it for example.
That's why you need a second star at least, and that's where KP comes into play. I like him as a player and I was sure he had sueprstar potential whilst in New York. I still see it, but I don't think it is going to be in Dallas. He still feels like a foreign body in our offense - even if he's on fire (don't get me wrong, his play is okay for his standards right now and I see signs of improvement still) and drops 25+ it doesn't feel natural. it's him hitting difficult (and sometimes awkward feeling) shots. If he does, great, if he doesn't, he gets you 12, like last night.
He just does not seem involved, he just doesn't fit somehow and why is a mystery to me. On paper, he should complement Luka almost perfectly, yet he is not involved most of the time.
In another thread, Kamm and Killer were talking about how maybe Luka does not feel that he is good enough to justify more consideration in the offense. Luka will make the play and find the open man. You only change that it you have a better option per se (e.g. star player x) than player y being in a good position.
I think there is some truth to this and coaches seem to be unwilling to impose something else on Luka (like special treatment for KP). Theri two-man-game got a little better over the last couple of weeks but they don't use it consistently as it looks out of sync.
I don't mean to be a downer but that's what I see and it's a huge red flag.
Other guys really improving lick JRich for example, Timmy getting his rhythm back and I think Maxi has just been amazing as a role-player.
That's why you need a second star at least, and that's where KP comes into play. I like him as a player and I was sure he had sueprstar potential whilst in New York. I still see it, but I don't think it is going to be in Dallas. He still feels like a foreign body in our offense - even if he's on fire (don't get me wrong, his play is okay for his standards right now and I see signs of improvement still) and drops 25+ it doesn't feel natural. it's him hitting difficult (and sometimes awkward feeling) shots. If he does, great, if he doesn't, he gets you 12, like last night.
He just does not seem involved, he just doesn't fit somehow and why is a mystery to me. On paper, he should complement Luka almost perfectly, yet he is not involved most of the time.
In another thread, Kamm and Killer were talking about how maybe Luka does not feel that he is good enough to justify more consideration in the offense. Luka will make the play and find the open man. You only change that it you have a better option per se (e.g. star player x) than player y being in a good position.
I think there is some truth to this and coaches seem to be unwilling to impose something else on Luka (like special treatment for KP). Theri two-man-game got a little better over the last couple of weeks but they don't use it consistently as it looks out of sync.
I don't mean to be a downer but that's what I see and it's a huge red flag.
Other guys really improving lick JRich for example, Timmy getting his rhythm back and I think Maxi has just been amazing as a role-player.