HOLY KRISTAPS: All Things Porzingis | TRADED to WAS

[StepBackJay]

https://twitter.com/NickVanExit/status/1...6794357762

Loved seeing the spacing last night. I have wondered why we don't see more of this type of spacing where you have basically 5 guys at the 3 point line. The Mavs have the personnel to do this. The Rockets do this all the time. When you have a talent like Harden or Luka that is basically unguardable 1-1 especially in space you can do a lot with this simple approach. Mavs do a lot of PnR and off-ball screens which is fine too but I like doing PnR with this spacing as well. For a team with a traditional big like Drummond, it's a real problem for their defense. You saw many easy baskets last night in large part to this approach. I hope we see more of this as the season unfolds.

[ThisIStheYear]

Shot 33% tonight and gave up the key rebound on the missed free throw that was the most important play of the game outside the Luka injury. He regularly misses a boatload of shots. The eye test and the advanced stats tell me he’s a below average nba starter at the moment.

[pedroffabreu]

https://prnt.sc/qb1cna

These are interesting stats. One good thing is that KP is a monster under the rim and shooting from the logo, the bad thing is that he is below average when he shoots from everywhere else.

It's a tough situation. On one hand, we need KP to be efficient, on the other he will not improve his shooting if he stops taking these shots. Having said that, I would not mind if KP just stuck to great defense, rolling under the rim and improving his exterior shooting. A focus on better shot selection and leaving the rest for pre-season workouts.

[SleepingHero]

Trying to find a silver lining in Luka's injury. This a perfect opportunity for KP to step up and try to lead the team now. 

What if we manages to go back to his former all-star self in this stretch and carries the team while Luka is out? 


Doubt it, given how he can't make a bucket right now, but a guy can dream.

[LukTheShadow]

Rehab on bigs take much more time. KP is not KP as it was yet, forcing him maybe is not the best way. He has to play and with every game he'll be better, but I don't believe huge step in his responsibility would be possible and good for him and mavs. But I'll more than happy if I am wrong on that.

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Quiet honest recap of his game:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73_jDgu9O6Q

[Kammrath]

This a perfect opportunity for KP to step up and try to lead the team now. 

Yep, this is an opportunity. HUGE opportunity.

[StepBackJay]

I don't expect KP to turn into NYK KP while Luka is out. I think he could actually look worse because his shots are going to be more difficult.

[Scott41theMavs]

I don't expect KP to turn into NYK KP while Luka is out. I think he could actually look worse because his shots are going to be more difficult.

I just want to see him be tough and aggressive as he so often has the last two games, and as he was not on that blockout on the Butler free throws.

[ItsGoTime]

I don't expect KP to turn into NYK KP while Luka is out. I think he could actually look worse because his shots are going to be more difficult.

I just want to see him be tough and aggressive as he so often has the last two games, and as he was not on that blockout on the Butler free throws.

Finally watched the replay of that FT. So many errors in that one play. Yes, it was absolutely mainly on KP for not boxing out. Kleber could have helped a ton more than he did with boxing out as well (he did on the next FT attempts). Powell could have at least tried to rebound the ball that fell on his side of the basket. 

Let me re-iterate, it was mainly on KP for not boxing out his man. We had 3 big men in the game, there should have been no excuse to let their undersized big get that ball.

[ClutchDirk]

https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status...6051246080

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https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/12...4451543046

[Benskix2]

My main concerns with KP coming into the year were his knee and his maturity/attitude.  Honestly he seemed a little douchy and possibly rapey and there were stories out of NY that tried to paint him as a primadonna, so I was worried he wouldn't like playing second fiddle to Luka and would sulk about the offense not running through him.   He has wildly exceeded my expectations in terms of saying all of the right things to the media, effort on defense and rebounding, and body language when things aren't going his way.  He also appears to have great mobility and no lingering effects on his athleticism from the injury.  I'm more impressed with what he's doing to integrate himself into the team and play winning basketball than I was with anything he did in New York.

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/MavsPR/status/1206782868506185731

[SleepingHero]

https://streamable.com/dmpt2


https://streamable.com/pk60y


Unicorn being a Unicorn.

[Benskix2]

I think he's a good post game interview too, he seems to be trying to be thoughtful and honest, similar to Dirk in that regard.

[BigDirk41]

Big time game by the Unicorn

[SleepingHero]

https://streamable.com/b0iw4

[iolide]

lol wtf is that? That's gold. They should play this at the AAC after every 3 he hits lmao

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/sdotcurry/status/120...8668461056

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https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1206802810123300865

[SleepingHero]

lol wtf is that? That's gold. They should play this at the AAC after every 3 he hits lmao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhSFKgMhlo&t=66s

That my friend is Latvian music gold.

[StepBackJay]

Man that was vintage Porzingis last night. I don't understand rotations at all especially last night on either side. It seems like KP sits for really long stretches. He is so effective when he's in there. Also I am willing to say he needs to take back to the basket touches out of his game. Back to the basket dribbling is dying and almost extinct anyway. Ya it was nice that Dirk could do it and there are still some guys that do it, it just isn't necessary and KP doesn't have the handles to do it. What happens every time is that these smaller defenders can disrupt his dribble. That doesn't mean he doesn't have handles. I love him getting the ball in space, even if its out on the perimeter he can take bigger guys off the dribble and do some amazing stuff. He can also try more face up stuff holding his dribble for the triple threat. Once he realizes that it's going to be a lot better. Last night he only tried a couple back to the basket touches and it didn't go well. Everything else was great. Man having Luka + KP is so huge, they are great compliments to each other. This team is not far away from contention at all. Think how far we have come so quickly.