02-28-2021, 01:54 PM
(02-28-2021, 12:49 PM)DrMav Wrote: If he's frustrated with Luka, then that merits more watching. If there is something for him to be frustrated with, there has been a pattern this season of Luka driving and KP's man collapsing from the 3-point line to help leaving KP wide open at the top of the arc, but Luka not finding him. There was definitely one of those in the game and a bit later on is when the chair-kicking talk started.
What JVG said was KP was frustrated with Luka for not giving him the ball and then calling him over to a PnR. We didn't see the chair kick because he and Mark Jackson were yucking it up on screen going into the commercial after a stoppage at 2:12 in Q2. After getting six shots in 8 1/2 minutes in the first quarter, KP was hardly touching the ball in the second. Here are the possessions and the KP involvement from the point he reentered the game around 6:38.
6:21 KP gets a touch almost immediately and makes a nice assist pass to a cutting DFS (feels like a continuation of the first quarter)
5:52 Luka fast break assist to THJ (KP doesn't touch the ball, but hard to get mad about that)
5:26 KP gets a touch in the post and is fouled by Harris
5:20 Luka 1 v 1 contested 3. KP open at 3 point line
4:50 KP gets a meaningless early offense touch at top of key...just part of the initiation of the play. Maxi hits a 3 on Luka assist.
4:22 THJ miss, but is fouled on a 3. No touch for KP in this possession
4:00 Luka goes one on five for the layup. No touch for KP (or anyone else) on this possession
3:21 KP calls for the ball and Luka waives it off and directs him to set a pick. Missed shot, no touch on possession for KP
3:07 TO on pass to DFS. No touch on this possession for KP
2:38 Luka goes Luka v the World again. No touches for anyone on this possession besides Luka
2:24 Luka gives ball to KP, who isn't open, still standing in the logo. Luka expects to get the ball back, but KP launches a passive aggressive garbage shot to signify he isn't happy.
2:12 Brooklyn TO and chair kicking incident.
I don't think this has to necessarily speak to their relationship...it might, but it doesn't have to. As JVG said, it's about the ball and KP perceived he should be getting it more than he did. I didn't like the passive aggressive action on that shot before the kicked chair. If you watch some second half possessions, KP stops trying to be ready near the 3 point line and just drifts several feet behind the line completely unprepared to be part of the play. I can't imagine it is easy to be (or think of yourself) as a superior offensive player next to Luka when Luka decides it is time to get his. But, KP isn't exactly being the grown-up in the room either.