04-01-2021, 02:15 PM
(04-01-2021, 02:07 PM)Kammrath Wrote: https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status...0703504387
Not intending to come down on the side of not playing KP in that situation last night, but I will say that decisions like that one would probably be easier to make in his favor if he actually had an inside game that punishes smaller players. I assume it would've been Tatum guarding him inside, and I have absolutely no faith in KP's ability to produce clutch baskets going against Tatum 1-on-1.
And then, if missed shots had led to KP having to guard Tatum sometimes at the other end? Yikes.
This isn't intended to slight KP, either, as I thought his first half was EXCELLENT, and Stevens probably went small as a way to neutralize KP at the Mavs' defensive end. He can't defend the paint if he's at the 3-point line, face guarding a much smaller, faster player.
What the Mavs did last night instead of playing KP wasn't exactly a great solution, so I hope both he and Carlisle are working together to be more prepared to counter the small ball strategy next time.