2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[TXBamanut]

Yeah, I agree there was a tug-of-war here. 

The thing is: I happen to believe Carlisle was right (I get that you disagree). I just don't see many people this side of Jokic and Embiid living in the post much around the league, and they're both AMAZING players. KP hasn't really been very good with the ball in his hands here, and it seems like everyone has been trying to tell him that, from Carlisle's comments to Luka not passing to him, on down the list. 

Ironically, before everything hit the fan, Carlisle was very complimentary of KP's exit interview, saying things like "he finally understands how modern centers need to play...can't just back off in deep drop..." etc, etc. I have no idea if this was sincere excitement or just political posturing meant to send KP off for a good summer of work with the right attitude, but I'm a little disappointed that we might have just started this whole "teaching KP" process all over again. 

But, none of that is to say that I believe Carlisle was 100% in the right about this. Obviously, the KP situation, no matter where your mind goes to examine the problem, IS a problem, and one that's holding the team back. It was SOME combo of the player himself, his injury/rehab stuff, the coach and staff, the player's fit within the coach's system, the player's desire to fit into that system, his relationship with Luka and/or other players on the team, Luka's experience level playing with someone like KP who thinks of himself as a huge deal, the fact that KP had just gotten his max extension (that he was clearly worried about in NY), etc, etc, etc. 

I sincerely hope they all get on the same page and get it right. I really, really do. At this point, it's really the only way forward. Not to succeed with KP would mean more pain ahead.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want him getting 15 touches in the post, but I think there's got to be some effectiveness in the midpost to the post to maximize him.  With the way our offense was so stagnant when Luka went out, because our offense was Luka dribble around until someone gets open and without Luka, that doesn't work, they've got to find some other options there, and KP just jacking 3s or driving left (why not right) won't get it.  

My hope is that he works on a post/midpost go to and driving right (among other things) in this off-season to help it out.