06-08-2021, 11:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-08-2021, 11:47 PM by DallasBasketball.)
(06-08-2021, 02:02 PM)omahen Wrote: He still is all what you say related to KP against other centers. The problem is teams have figured out the key is not to defend him with center but a random wing or guard, and he is more or less cooked. For me this is the biggest priority for his offseason. Learn how to punish small guys. This way he will force opponents to guard him with centers, which will allow Luka/KP PnR or PnP to feast on them. Just imagine how Clippers series would look like if they would be forced to play Zubac.
Let's be honest, his technique and footwork is extremely poor in the post. His only move is to turn around and shoot a contested fade away jumper. He doesn't see help defense coming, lowers the ball and consequently often turns it over. He needs to work on this, whole offseason. Of course I see physical training as mandatory part of any offseason.
I remember watching Porzee in the Olympics for Latvia and thinking he was a good post player. Is it possible he was a better post player before he entered the NBA?
I hope a few things happen related to his post game;
1. I hope he works at it. Granted he’s finally healthy this may make a difference. And I’m hoping he gets back to where he can be strong backing a guy down with a strong dribble to take quality shots. Too much of the time when he’s posted this season the shot has looked like a bail out attempt after failing to get strong position or simply settling for an uncomfortable fadeaway. He should be a lot better at this.
2. I hope his shot gets back to where it has been in the past to combine with better quality post looks. The guy is a talented shooter. Has he really gotten worse or is this a slump from all the time off? Should I be asking if he is a hard enough worker?
3. I’d like to see Carlisle and Luka both make an effort to force the ball into KP with some consistency given that there are so many times he gets the mismatch in the post. The fact that we never do this seems to me like the cover of the book titled ‘KP is an afterthought’ and it’s not just a problem of Luka playing the drive and kick game, Luka tried forcing it into Boban at least a few dozen times and gave KP a chance a handful of times. This is not on Luka IMO, I think he sees what we see, which is KP sucks in the post. But he shouldn’t suck. He’s been good before. Or am I wrong?
I think the off-season could really be key in figuring it out. And if KP can be featured more in the post and produce, I think he’ll stay in rhythm better and be more of a contributor off the bounce and the catch n shoots. Or at least I hope.