04-08-2021, 04:30 PM
(04-08-2021, 04:18 PM)omahen Wrote: I think this stretch was more about Rockets reserves being bad than Mavs lineup being so much better without KP. I think Mavs actually played good defense in the first half, with the exception of PnR drop coverage. They were forced (or just training time?) to switch to zone defense because of that.
I hate our PnR drop coverage. When you have Melli in KP you can switch everything and the defense looks a lot better. Let's face it the Mavs are going to morph into Harden's Rocket's team construction. The optimal situation for a Luka type player on a contender is a switchable defense and outside shooter. Melli is sort of a prototype of what might be the long-term plan there.
Rick doesn't want to play KP, Luka doesn't want to pass to him, it's maddening. I just think it's not a fit. Mavs will move towards more shoot (sorry J Rich you're out) and switchable defenders. They also want a secondary ball-handler which makes sense but it needs to be a guy that can co-exist with Luka.
One big issue with Harden is that they tried two alphas (CP3, Westbrook) next to Harden which didn't work out chemistry-wise in the long-term. They almost made it work with CP3 but he got injured in the playoffs one year. They also held onto Capella too long. Mavericks have hindsight on their side to sort of perfect the Houston model.