05-29-2021, 04:09 PM
He is just not a fit for this team, in terms of mentality, chemistry, toughness. It's completely obvious, there has been an issue between him and other teammate/s earlier in season, and Rick. It was between the lines in all of the statements made by Rick, and also by KP. The matter has since then been "solved", but only temporary (IMO judging by his expression on and off the court). He will IMO get traded after this season, unless he starts to play well and we make a run.
He has many of the skills we need, and even the bbIQ. He is a better player than what he plays at this moment. He is however lacking some of the skills to be truly elite. He cant hold onto the ball and he cant bully defenders like you want for a big guy as that.
My problem with KP is not the skills. But the mental and physical part. He seems to have a weakness in both areas, and is not a fit for this team.
However, I dont think we should be too quick to count him out. Mental parts of the game can sometimes quickly be fixed. He did had more chemistry with the teams in stretches last season for instance. The physical part can less be fixed, but this is more a matter of how to use KP. In that sense this can also be fixed. Dont play him in high post, as he cant bully anyone back to the basket. He is not good at this. Use him inside in different ways. He is great making the dunk.
If Mavs make a serious run and he improves his game, many of the things can be fixed. If he does not improve on his attitute and commitment to this team, it is obvious he needs to be traded.
Bottom line is, he can and will play a lot better, if the chemistry and the way we use him improves. KP is in control of some of the mental part, but Mavs are in control of some of the part of how we use him.
The best part of KP is last season, how he defended that rim. It was awesome and that part is compeltely gone. That is way more important than his offensive contribution. At times with him and Maxi, going into their paint, you just didnt do that without getting blocked. All that rim protection is completely missing right now. That is mental part and about chemistry and effort. This is on KP IMO. On offense, its mainly more on our coaches, but to some degree also on KP.
He has many of the skills we need, and even the bbIQ. He is a better player than what he plays at this moment. He is however lacking some of the skills to be truly elite. He cant hold onto the ball and he cant bully defenders like you want for a big guy as that.
My problem with KP is not the skills. But the mental and physical part. He seems to have a weakness in both areas, and is not a fit for this team.
However, I dont think we should be too quick to count him out. Mental parts of the game can sometimes quickly be fixed. He did had more chemistry with the teams in stretches last season for instance. The physical part can less be fixed, but this is more a matter of how to use KP. In that sense this can also be fixed. Dont play him in high post, as he cant bully anyone back to the basket. He is not good at this. Use him inside in different ways. He is great making the dunk.
If Mavs make a serious run and he improves his game, many of the things can be fixed. If he does not improve on his attitute and commitment to this team, it is obvious he needs to be traded.
Bottom line is, he can and will play a lot better, if the chemistry and the way we use him improves. KP is in control of some of the mental part, but Mavs are in control of some of the part of how we use him.
The best part of KP is last season, how he defended that rim. It was awesome and that part is compeltely gone. That is way more important than his offensive contribution. At times with him and Maxi, going into their paint, you just didnt do that without getting blocked. All that rim protection is completely missing right now. That is mental part and about chemistry and effort. This is on KP IMO. On offense, its mainly more on our coaches, but to some degree also on KP.