10-28-2019, 10:39 AM
(10-28-2019, 07:50 AM)DanSchwartzman Wrote: I wasn't a fan of the way Wright and Brunson were used last night. Their time off the court should have probably been swapped. If Brunson can run the second unit against a good team, then Luka wouldn't have to play nearly 38 minutes. Wright's D is supposed to be better and his 2-man lineups with Luka are +11 while Brunson's 2-man lineups with Luka are -1. Wright should have closed the game and there is certainly an argument he should start. But, Wright's best game came as a backup. At this early stage, we might have two guards who are best used off the bench (Wright and Brunson). Getting the whole Wright/Curry/Brunson rotation right is an early challenge. I agree that Curry deserves a bigger role.
If we're going to compare how everyone pairs with Luka, it's only fair we see how everyone pairs with the other side of the coin: Porzingis.
Wright and Porzingis are supposed to be our elite defenders, right? Together they're at a -14.2 net rating!!! That is by far the worst significant pairing that doesn't include THJ.
Brunson + Porzingis is at -3; Kleber + Porzingis hasn't been as ideal as, they're at -5.5!
Delon's defense has not been as advertised. His defensive rating is at 110 while his counterparts have fared much better: Brunson is at 99; Seth is at 99; and DFS is at 98.
Porzingis' defensive rating is at 112, which is also not good. Is his offensive burden sacrificing too much of his defensive duties? POR seemed to score at will last night near the rim.
Who knows what side is up or down this early in the season but these are fascinating things to keep an eye on going forward.