2019-20 Around the NBA: Archived

[SleepingHero]

Sorry, Kamm. I did not mean it as ad-hominem drivel, and I have the highest respect for what you bring to the board. Love your posts, generally speaking. I'm saying that many are convinced that Powell fails the eye test, especially on interior defense. I appreciate some of the arguments about Powell's offensive effect, although I think his 3-point shooting is pretty indefensible to the point that it's head-scratching that RC plays him at all when he likes to have five shooters on the floor if possible. As I said, I came around earlier this year to the intelligence of Powell's perimeter defensive game. That said, I have been watching Powell for the past six years, and if any numerical metric says his interior defense is better than abjectly wretched, I would die a martyr's death rather than accept that metric. Something is simply wrong with it. My eyes have told me consistently that Powell can no more defend the rim against any NBA player than Air Mantis could out-muscle Shaq. While others might not express it in those words, there are many people who know that Powell can't challenge shots close to the rim because they watch the games. I found your head-scratching over people's dislike of Powell in spite of the statistics a bit insulting, to be quite honest, because I thought it was self-evident that their own eyes had told them something different with a pretty enormous sample size.

I like you, and I like 90% of what you post, even when I disagree, but that doesn't mean two people aren't going to disagree strongly once in a while. Hope we're cool.

What scott said. We're all passionate fans. Sometimes sparks fly when there is a crossroads of opinion. Doesn't mean anyone is wrong. 

Funnily enough Kamm's devout praise to Powell has made me rethink how I see Powell and really give him a fair shake. If you told me circa 2016-17 I would be complentary of Powell I'd have call you nuts. He really is a fantastic offensive player. I just think he's a below average defender in the paint that makes him a weak point in any lineup he's in.