06-20-2021, 03:25 PM
(06-20-2021, 08:32 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: Funny to read all these analyses of Simmons and KP that focus on offense. Simmons is a great defender. We saw the numbers above about how he’s handling Trae (who’s about as bad a matchup as possible and still has been reduced to a mere volume scorer against Simmons), and we all know how Luka, one of the best offensive players I’ve ever seen, struggles against him. You are trading for defense. The offense is a bonus. KP’s claim to fame is that for a guy his size, he’s an average perimeter offensive player. He shoots about the league average from the three for his career. It’s interesting to see a tall, lanky dude make threes at about the league average, but the NBA doesn’t grade on a curve. Average is average. His defense though used to be well above average. Now, it’s terrible, so he’s borderline unplayable with Luka. Thus, the trade of a bad defender for a great defender. The offense just doesn’t factor in that much to the decision making. And Simmons has enough offensive skill to contribute on that side anyway. Plus, KP isn’t a guy who’s likely to stay healthy. He’s headed down the Ralph Sampson path. So, what are you really giving up?
100% agree. Simmons defense would be welcomed on this team. He´s incredible on that end. But with Luka and THJ I don´t think the way to success CAN be through defense. We´ll never be a top3 defense that wins games on that end. So would he help tremendously against Kawhi, Lebron, Durant, Young whoever? Of course. Can the team defense improve as much as the offense would suffer? I have serious doubts. Luka´s whole game would be messed up. The argument "Luka would still eat offensively and defensively we´d be much better" can not be applied, as Luka needs space to operate and it´s underestimated generally, how instrumental KP is for that.