03-23-2021, 02:08 PM
(03-23-2021, 07:10 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Can't we say that any third star would marginalize KP's touches? If Beal wanted to come here, do we say no because KP won't "get his"? If that is the standard, then I fear we will never land another 20-ish PPG scorer. Now, I absolutely agree that KP won't like it and I do have concerns about fit. What is interesting is KP is having his most efficient shooting year ever. His .586 TS% is .035 better than his previous best (last year) and way better than his pedestrian average in NY of .535. This is the first time in his career that his is better than league average at adding points through field goals attempted and adding points through True Shot Attempts made. And yet he seems unhappy (and is killing us defensively to the point we are not top 10, but 24th) I know, extenuating circumstances. But, if extenuating circumstances have crushed his defensive effectiveness until recently, how come he is career best in offensive efficiency?
Collins fell out of bed hitting over .600 in TS% (Career .633). He's been a plus to team scoring every year of his career. He is flat out a much better offensive player than KP and should get some of someone's touches. Atlanta is crazy to not give him more than 13 shots a game and he still gets them 18 a game (a Dirk-ish 138.6 points per shot attempt). I know your point wasn't about offense (and your defensive point is valid and I like the Capela idea). But my point is we will always be Luka and his band of merry 4th/5th/6th men if KP's feelings are the standard for adding talent.
A couple of points:
My concern with Collins offensive fit was less about taking away overall touches, and more about him operating in KP's space. Last year Powell clogged the paint and turned KP into a glorified 3&D center. It was not until Powell went down and we switched to 5 out that we unlocked his full offensive game. This is probably why his TS is a career high this year. In this sense, Beal is not a good comparison as he would fit perfectly with KP and Luka offensively (although he would present some of the same defensive concerns that Collins does).
I realize the offense operated even more efficiently with Powell (although there may be some sample issues with that assessment including most of Luka and KP missed time in second half) but at the expense of defense (as Collins would be). Not sure if there is a player out there that can play well at the rim, but not hurt you on defense with KP. Maybe Gordon?
Also, I am not going to argue which player is better offensively, but TS% is just one metric. It does not take into account things like the unique gravity of a center with a quality high volume 3 point shot.