ROSTER TALK: Mavs favs for Vogel if no HC job exists. Kyrie handshake deal?

[dirkfansince1998]

I would argue the biggest reasons KP didn't work here were his limited availability, chemistry issues, and unwillingness to P&R while pushing for stupid post ups. 

KP was ok defensively last season.  He did require drop coverage, but the numbers don't really point him to being some catastrophic impact on defense:

The team defensive rating was better when he was on the court than off
The team was top 5 defense when he was on it, and middle of the pack after the trade
The team was middle of the pack defense in the playoffs

McGee will require drop coverage as well, but he has been significantly better on defense the last couple of seasons than KP.  He is a much better rim protector, rebounder and post defender.  I would be willing to bet for minutes that Maxi is not on the court, the defense will be better with McGee than without.

That´s not really the full picture. Over the entire season KP´s impact was barely positive. The defensive rating peaked when KP was out. Was great in the first games after the trade. Went downhill in the last month.
More about fatigue and injury problems. Maxi with his usual nagging back/achilles injuries. DFS and Bullock looking tired. Luka coasting.

And it´s not like McGee had outstanding defensive impact numbers. In 9 out of his 10 last seasons the team defense was better without him on the floor. He was a net negative on defense. I am not sure if he is any better than KP. Would argue that he is worse. And as most of you know I really wasn´t high on KPs defense.