TDL Archived: The 2nd Rnd Pick Yankee Swap

[F Gump]

This, to me (and with respect), makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever. 

It makes me think you believe the center position is somehow something reserved for truly special defenders. I don't see it that way at all. 

I think the reality of the game today is that the spread pick and roll is king, meaning that the center, practically speaking, is almost always the worst defender on the floor, from a certain perspective. 

Playing Wood together with another big basically gives the opposing offense even more opportunity to exploit your lack of speed/agility in space, which is absolutely what they hope you'll give them. 

It certainly doesn't help hide him from a matchup perspective, either. Would you rather Wood be matched up with Nurkic, or with Jerami Grant? I'd say we got the answer to that one the other night. 

Now, does the center position (when they're "low man" which is far from a guarantee today, with the sophistication level of these offenses) come with a unique and important requirement to read screens and see things developing? ABSOLUTELY! But, EVERY position has an important role within the defense, so why on Earth would they spend time trying to get him to learn how to defend by playing a position for which he isn't suited in the first place???????

Two bigs is more difficult, not less. Not only can Wood not function adequately trying to learn a position he can't possibly learn, but he's simultaneously making things more difficult for the guy who's playing the center position.

I really don't agree with any of this -- I don't agree with the idea that Wood will suddenly be better defensively if only switched to a different context, nor with how you say Wood HAS been used at all, nor for the excuses you give for him. (Nor do I agree that your center can be your worst defender. Ouch.) I do think all players have to defend (even if not expertly), or else their role is going to be limited, regardless of their offensive skills or position.

I'll just leave it at that.

I hope he learns. And quickly. But I'm not so naive to think the Mavs will find some secret formula that no other team has tried, that will be the magic switch -- imo it's whether he gets his head on right, or doesn't, and I have to be aware that his incentives are as high now as they will ever be. But ....