2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[dirkfansince1998]

KP's entire career can be summed up as blue balls because he always gets injured before anything can really happen.

So to answer your question to what is KP? I don't know yet. In his time for DAL there has been growing pains, but with him the Mavs have posted historically efficient offenses. In the playoffs with a largely injured roster last year the Mavs almost played spoiler with KP playing very well until he got injured. This year's playoffs, KP isn't producing in the counting stats department but his presence has been largely positive and the Mavs are once again playing well in the playoffs with him at 2nd fiddle.

PG has had the better career so far, no arguing that overall. But there's a reason why he's called Pandemic P. Or No OT tonight P. Dude has consistently laid eggs when it matters most. IND was happy to get rid of him. OKC had 2 unremarkable playoff runs. Now in LAC we see PG underperform last year and while he's playing much better this year it's not leading to wins. 

So I'd take KP over PG since we've seen KP average 30/10 and play great defense. The potential, as always with KP, is too tantalizing to pass up on. Meanwhile we know what PG is. A top 20 guy that may or may not lose you a game in the playoffs.

KP has some unflatterting nicknames as well. Just like PG he had some off court issues and it´s not like the Knicks wanted to keep him. KPs presence this season hasn´t been largely positive. Clutch just used the +/- of the last two games to make a case for KP. For the entire season he has the 2nd worst +/- among all rotation players.
Agree that KP was really good in the bubble (including the four games he played against the Clippers). But the 30/10 you are using is  based on a six game sample size. Paul George on the other hand averaged 28/8/4 for an entire season Playing elite defense and leading the league in steals.

Again PG had some bad moments in the last couple of years but overall he hasn´t been as bad in the playoffs as people are making him out to be. The entire PG choker narrative is more about his incredible stupid post game interviews (see yesterday). By the way. I remember a certain player from Wurzburg with a similar reputation. George was really good in Indiana. Lost against peak LBJ and the Heat. Indiana wasn´t happy to get rid of him. He wanted out because they couldn´t get him any help. Reminds me of a few other players (inlcuding KP in NY).

PG is simply a better player. KP has never been a top 20 guy in his entire career. At his best he was a borderline allstar in NY. Looked like an allstar for ten games in the bubble. You mentioned it. KP is all about potential. Right now he is not even the 2nd fiddle on the Mavs and with all the injuries he is probably worse than he was last year. We are comparing a legit top 15-20 player that has been on that level for nearly 10 years to a player that might be something if he can improve and stay healthy.

Side note: I hate that I have to argue in PGs favor.