03-22-2021, 10:55 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-22-2021, 09:56 PM by dynamicalVoid.)
(03-22-2021, 10:38 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: That's good to know.
I really think people are just coming to grips with the idea that KP isn't who we all hoped he'd be, exactly, and that we're all doing it in a variety of ways. It's a tough thing to swallow.
For me, the make or break issue is defense. If he can play defense AT LEAST as well as he has over the past three weeks or so (hopefully even better as time goes by) I can handle the offensive disappointment. Just because he's nowhere near the same class as Dirk (who he's being compared with by the people here, whether consciously or not) doesn't mean he's not incredibly useful on that end. If he can just learn to punish teams for guarding him with forwards, somehow, then having him pull the opposing bigs out of the paint will be difference-making on offense whether he gets shots off or not.
But, I'll say it again: you cannot have a good defense if your center isn't a good defender. I like what I've seen from him on that end more lately, but it's still not where I hoped it would be on the day they traded for him. He has bought a little hope from me that he's improving though. My mind is a little more open about it than it used to be.
I think KP can be a bigger threat on defense than what is being shown. I could be wrong on this.
Just like our offense isnt showing what they are fully capable of night in night out(I assume saving tricks for the playoffs)...I think KP's paint defense might be way better than advertised.
I see plays where KP could have easily slid over to help Maxi in the paint but doesnt. You can say that why he sucks. But I think he is holding back...just like our offense. I say this because these are professionals...making millions...you know better than to just stand there and not slide over to help in the paint. It takes literally one step for these guys in the paint.
I keep saying it and no one responds...but I know our offense isnt showing 100% and I think the Mavs are bluffing on their paint defense for the playoffs too.
Not saying we need to keep KP if he doesnt fit right or is bad on defense...just that I think we see a better paint defense in the playoffs...with or without KP.
I dont know how we can say our offense or defense is or isnt good when they dont show what they are capable of often. Unless you are an insider and know what elements of the offense/defense the Mavs are working on from game to game or players the Mavs are working on from game to game....it seems like it is would be hard to evaluate how good or bad this team is right now. Maybe closer to the end of the season...not now with all the experimenting.