08-23-2022, 02:14 PM
(08-23-2022, 09:44 AM)mvossman Wrote: So to clarify, we watched Maxi anchor a defense as the lone big the second half of last season and during the playoffs. He played that role extremely well given he is a little undersized. My understanding is that Wood has not demonstrated the ability to effectively anchor a defense as a lone big (although that is where he is most effective offensively). When you say protect the rim, I am thinking anchor the defense. I'm sure he can get some blocks while he is out there, but I don't think we want he spending a lot of time as the lone big defensively.So, weak side shot blocker is what I think of with both Maxi and Wood, at least what they would/are best at.
I wouldn’t say Maxi was all that good with rim protection when he was the only one, but weak side? I think he’s deceptively good at that. I would want both he and Wood on the court playing weak side shot blocker while they are in with McGee. When both are in you’re probably right that Maxi anchors while Wood hunts. Then the moments 1 of them is in with neither of the other 2 they will be forced to play anchor. I don’t expect a lot of minutes of that last scenario, it’ll be more of an in game decision.
With Maxi’s age/back issues (or back expiration date) and with McGee’s limited optimal usage, I think Wood will find himself out there by himself much moreso than the other two, as I don’t think Powell will be more than injury insurance. So I expect that that is some of what Nico and Kidd are saying when they say he’s gonna need to prove some stuff to us.
To change the topic now since we’re talking about Maxi. I don’t see why Maxi at age 31 and with the injury issues he has when he is overplayed and the recurring back issues is worth close to MLE money going forward. He has been worth that money, but back issues never get better as a person ages and if you’re not gonna overpay Brunson, I think Maxi is a worse bet that he’ll live up to the contract than JB. If teams ignore that and are willing to pay MLE money for him, I think there would be better uses for that money.
Also, I’m a big fan of Maxi’s, so it’s not sour grapes, just what I believe is a fair assessment of what he’ll bring to the table going forward. First year in the playoffs Maxi hurt his back in the 3rd game and the difference in play was night and day. Second year he hurt his back just before the playoffs and wasn’t very effective throughout. This year he played what I think was an injury free playoffs and he looked really good. Just not sure what we’re gonna get with him year to year.
If MLE money can get us Bullock who can play 40 mpg as a starter in the playoffs, why are we messing around with paying that same money for a guy that can give you 20-25 mpg throughout the season on 3/4 of the games and be hoping that he gets into the playoffs healthy?