06-07-2021, 06:23 PM
(06-07-2021, 06:08 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: How many great defenders are there that will contain Kawhi and PG? The league is geared towards offense. All you can do is play with force and hopefully tire them out a bit. Hopefully. To me the 3D types like Bruce Bowen and Danny Green were always a bit overrated. They played on very good defensive teams that made them look better. Klay is the gold standard for me for 3D because he was a phenomenal offensive player.
This is an offense first league now. Teams that pose trouble have multiple ball handlers who can create a shot for themselves and their teammates. You are correct though that a 3D guy might be easier to find than playmakers who can defend a bit. My feeling is don’t waste years. Prioritize correctly and move heaven and earth to fill what you prioritize than just compromise year after year.
Kawhi against the Mavs: 32.1ppg 61.2% FG, 42.5% from 3, 89.8% FT, 67.5eFG%, 72.3% TS
Only four player in history scored 200+ points on 60% + shooting in a playoff series. Shaq in 2000. Kareem in 1984. Bernard King in 1977.
Even better. 2nd highest eFG% for a player that averaged 30+ in a playoff series in the last 55 years. Behind Curry in 2017 (against SA).
No one even tried to contain him. 1vs1 he was getting to the rim whenever he wanted. Against the zone he created easy midrange shots.
Already mentioned it the Mavs had a solid 116 O-Rating in the series. Terrible 122 D-Rating. Allowed the Clippers to score at near historic 61% TS.
Yes playmaking is a problem as well. But it is only one of many. Not possible to fix everything in one offseason. Especially because they have to clean up the mess of the last few years. I get that some people priortize playmaking. It was painful to watch DFS as the decision maker after the trap. But for me it was even more painful to watch a team that is beyond hope on defense. So desperate that they decide that one of the most efficient shots in basketball, the open corner 3, is a better option than giving up 70% in the paint.