HOLY KRISTAPS: All Things Porzingis | TRADED to WAS

[windjc]

Methinks you assume that no one watched THJ play basketball prior to this year, when many here have followed his career as NBA-wide fans. Oh, and Mavs fans got to see a fair amount of him last year prior to his injury. His reputation as one of the absolute worst chuckers in the league was rotundly well-established from the time of his departure from Atlanta until the beginning of this season. To say otherwise is a bad-faith revision of historical reality.

That said, I appreciate greatly that THJ has the humility and intelligence to adapt as a player. If he's the guy we've seen the past five games (and no, Luka, not "since the beginning of the season" - that's magnanimous, but it's also horse puckey), then he will be worth his contract (!!!) and a player who should stay here a while. My problem is with the manure you're spreading, not with THJ.

As for KP, people are willing to give him time because 1) he is coming back from a major injury, 2) his play on the defensive end and rebounding (especially compared to past years) is close to being above reproach, and 3) if he is long-term garbage on offense, then the sky will have indeed fallen, because we've committed $150 mil to him and he'll be untradeable for the comparable talent we would need to get back, which probably snowballs eventually into Luka demanding a trade. I would think we would both agree that KP needs to spend a Dirk-load of time in the gym working on his offensive game. I think it's clear watching the games that it's 80% or more mental. Players outside of Markell Fultz don't struggle that way if that's not the case.

Weren't we all under the same understanding that THJ would be more efficient in a reduced role rather than the go-to scoring ones he had in NY and with us second half of last year? You know like the one he had in ATL?

That's what we hoped for and we got it; thus far it's paying dividends for THJ and the Mavs. But it's still not enough for some "fans."

Many of us, including me, called his contract one of the worst in the league based on his earlier play. Right now, he's still overpaid but it's far from one of the worst. It's only two years left and he has a player option next summer. KP, for instance, you admit is not living up to his contract on the offensive side. But I don't see anyone saying he's overpaid. I guess everyone is still infatuated with "potential." I prefer results. 

And mental seems like a good excuse for any player struggling. Thanks, I'll start using that one more often.

How was Paul George the first season back from his injury? 
What's wrong with people on here. KP is a max player for sure, with the potential to be ALL-NBA during his career. Heck, Kellerman talked about this just this week.