07-09-2021, 02:53 AM
(07-09-2021, 01:26 AM)Mavs2021 Wrote: 3. If Batum is the level of player that makes playing Porzingis a match-up problem, then we should get rid of him right now.
It's not the level of player, it's the archetype.
6'6-6'9 forwards that have a perimeter game and are switchable on defense gives EVERY big in the NBA fits. The only 2 that have shown they can consistently handle that type of archetype are Jokic, Bam Adebayo, and Deandre Ayton. Anthony Davis had issues against Mikal Bridges. Joel Embiid got nearly played off the floor against Cam Reddish and Deandre Hunter (before he went down).
Rudy Gobert who many here would give a leg for got destroyed by Terrance Mann and yes Batum. It's less about the individual matchup rather than the overall game plan.
All 3 put up big numbers individually but they all had issues being able to switch effectively/consistently on the defensive end.
All 3 are as elite as they get for big men in the NBA. All 3 got sent home packing by small ball. So no. Batum being able to matchup well against KP is not an indictment of him as a player. The only way to beat small ball is to match it or make sure your big man is varied enough on both the offensive and defensive end to make it a matchup nightmare.
KP nearly was that last series. He was still a net positive this year as well. That's why I have hope he can bounce back in a fresh system and full offseason of training with no injuries.
By the way, before you say AD and Embiid were injured and it obviously effected their performance, both of them are apart of the rare group that can't stay on the floor more than KP.
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.