07-05-2021, 11:37 AM
(07-05-2021, 11:21 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: I agree with his takes here. There will always be an injury concern with him so I will never argue with someone who says we need to dump him ASAP.But that leads us right back to the elephant. He´s not Reggie Miller, Rip Hamilton or Tyson Chandler. Have you ever seen a 7´3 player used in such a manner?
Personally, I think a lot of the names I see in trades for him are guys that don't really matter in the end. KP play last year didn't matter but I believe the best of him is a guy who matters. There are not many guys (40? 50?) of those in the league. Can you find that again?
I agree that more motion is needed for this offense. I have been focusing on another creator and I think KP could really flourish here. He may not ever be a great pick and role guy with Luka as your offensive staple, but can you get him moving? If he will never punish smaller guys in the post, have him coming off screens midrange and shooting over smaller players. Then off that you can build off a pump fake and drive. There are a lot of options I think you can build off him in mid range. I envision getting him 4-5 baskets at the rim, 4-5 free throws, a few mid range shots, and 3-4 three attempts. That right there puts him above 20 points a game and keeps him engaged. The big question is his defense. His play this year didn't give a lot of confidence there.
I´m absolutely 100% with you that would be the best use of Porzingis, but that also requires a heavy 7´3 player on bad knees to run around relentlessly (just on offense/don´t even mention defense), work around screens, make coordinated catch and quick release jump stops and make well-timed cuts to the rim. More distance covered, more energy used, higher fatigue levels, higher risk of wear out and contact injuries.
I think you get a legit 2nd option and then you use Porzingis in pick and pop situation and as a spot up 3pt shooter, but he needs to learn to shoot over these smaller guys. He´ll never be able to consistently outrun them to an open spot, so he has to find ways to simply not be bothered by their presence.
The one thing I have 100% never understood, is why they didn´t use the Dirk trail three a 100 times. Let Luka drive and kick it back to the top, because that has multiple positive effects. Porzingis doesn´t have to run as far up and down the court and he also doesn´t have to run back as far to play defense.