(06-08-2021, 01:27 PM)Kammrath Wrote: He stays thin and works on his agility to play PF and welcomes another big like Richaun Holmes to play C next to him.

(06-08-2021, 01:43 PM)TXBamanut Wrote: I'm not flaming you, but don't suggest that anything about this team needs to change except trade KP for a Coke machine and we'd have won the championship (That's hyperbole, btw for the dude in the back who can't recognize the difference between "hyperbole" and "straw man argument".)

"I figured it out." - James Harden

(06-08-2021, 01:52 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: To me, this is the worst possible scenario. As @"vfromlmf" said the other day very well, "if he's a PF, there are two dozen PF's I'd rather have than KP." 

You, @"Kammrath" made a great point the other day about the Clippers' smaller lineup when you pointed out that their rare length at most positions means they're not actually that small. 

To ME, that is the benefit (in theory) of KP. He's a unicorn, but only at the 5, where (again, in theory) he has physical advantages in terms of speed, mobility and skill. At the 4, his length is uncommon, yes, but all three of those other things are huge, huge deficiencies. 

Like the point you made regarding the Clippers, the UPSIDE to KP (in theory) is that he's faster, quicker and more skilled than other centers WITHOUT giving up any length. He's a small ball center, without being a small ball center. Is he a little too weak? Yes, but I think mostly he just looks that way because he played so soft this year. And, frankly, he looked too slow to play the 5, NOT like he had an advantage there.

EDIT: In my opinion, this whole thing revolves around whether or not the Mavs believe KP can learn how not to get played into being a negative as a DEFENSIVE center. If they can figure that much out, I have a fair amount of faith the offensive end will click, eventually. If they think he'll always be a negative as a DEFENSIVE center, then the whole operation is just a waste of time.

(06-08-2021, 01:52 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Like the point you made regarding the Clippers, the UPSIDE to KP (in theory) is that he's faster, quicker and more skilled than other centers WITHOUT giving up any length. 

(06-08-2021, 02:01 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote:

(06-08-2021, 01:52 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: To me, this is the worst possible scenario. As @vfromlmf said the other day very well, "if he's a PF, there are two dozen PF's I'd rather have than KP." 

You, @Kammrath made a great point the other day about the Clippers' smaller lineup when you pointed out that their rare length at most positions means they're not actually that small. 

To ME, that is the benefit (in theory) of KP. He's a unicorn, but only at the 5, where (again, in theory) he has physical advantages in terms of speed, mobility and skill. At the 4, his length is uncommon, yes, but all three of those other things are huge, huge deficiencies. 

Like the point you made regarding the Clippers, the UPSIDE to KP (in theory) is that he's faster, quicker and more skilled than other centers WITHOUT giving up any length. He's a small ball center, without being a small ball center. Is he a little too weak? Yes, but I think mostly he just looks that way because he played so soft this year. And, frankly, he looked too slow to play the 5, NOT like he had an advantage there.

EDIT: In my opinion, this whole thing revolves around whether or not the Mavs believe KP can learn how not to get played into being a negative as a DEFENSIVE center. If they can figure that much out, I have a fair amount of faith the offensive end will click, eventually. If they think he'll always be a negative as a DEFENSIVE center, then the whole operation is just a waste of time.

(06-08-2021, 02:03 PM)TXBamanut Wrote: Vague quotes from smart people --- the last vestige of someone who is busted and they know it.  #strawman and #hyperbole are different.

(06-08-2021, 02:02 PM)omahen Wrote: He still is all what you say related to KP against other centers. The problem is teams have figured out the key is not to defend him with center but a random wing or guard, and he is more or less cooked. For me this is the biggest priority for his offseason. Learn how to punish small guys. This way he will force opponents to guard him with centers, which will allow Luka/KP PnR or PnP to feast on them. 

Let's be honest, his technique and footwork is extremely poor in the post. His only move is to turn around and shoot a contested fade away jumper. He doesn't see help defense coming, lowers the ball and consequently often turns it over. He needs to work on this, whole offseason. Of course I see physical training as mandatory part of any offseason.

(06-08-2021, 02:07 PM)Kammrath Wrote: I can get on board with this, ONLY if he becomes a rim runner and strong roll man. Luka NEEDS that from his center. KP as a C is a total non starter if he won't set good screens for Luka and roll strong to the rim.

TOTAL NON-STARTER.

(06-08-2021, 02:32 PM)HAguiar95 Wrote: Just give him DeAndre Ayton tapes from this postseason. Guy has been a beast doing simple work. I'm sure Luka could find him like CP and Book are finding Ayton.

(06-08-2021, 02:11 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: It's kind of to the point where KP NEEDS to post up smaller guys in order to be viable in the screen game.

(06-08-2021, 02:34 PM)Kammrath Wrote: But DP doesn't have to post up smaller players to be an effective roll man.

(06-08-2021, 02:39 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: True, maybe. 

I'd love to find out if they switch on Powell/Luka screens as much as on KP/Luka screens. I don't have a strong feeling for that, but I would point out that we haven't really gotten to see the Powell/Luka action in the playoffs much at all. It's possible that the Clippers WOULD have made taking that away a priority, and then maybe thing WOULD still have devolved into Luka going 1-on-1 after every screen. I don't KNOW that, just playing devil's advocate. 

(06-08-2021, 02:39 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I'm 100% on board with your assertion that for MAX money, Luka/KP two-man game needs to be a focal point. It's great that he can also be a spacer, but max money is too much to spend for that. 

AND, BECAUSE DEFENSE

(06-07-2021, 10:33 PM)Kammrath Wrote: Didn't do an exit interview I don't think.....

(06-08-2021, 12:37 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: Say you do nothing but add DeRozan to the mix. Then all of the sudden you have a Doncic - THJ - DeRozan - DFS - Porzingis lineup that is much more formidable for teams to defend. DeRozan would feast in the paint without a shotblocker ... Mavs might just simply outscore teams with offensive force.

(06-08-2021, 07:39 AM)omahen Wrote: Here I would open this dilemma - do we repeat Wright and trade him for whatever we can get probably spending assets along the way or we invest effort and try to make it work better? He would only have one year left and his contract could come more handy later.

(06-08-2021, 10:22 AM)TXBamanut Wrote: The only way to get a guy to the post is not for him to set a screen.  That just shows how stat conscious you are, but not basketball savvy.  For example, one of the games...screen set FOR KP, crossed to the Low block, pass in from DFS, jump hook score.  Clean as a whistle.  The ONE and only time I remember that play being run in this series and honestly FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON.  Dirk got on the post with the help of a screen for him ALL THE TIME.  He was not exclusively set a screen for JET and then go post).

For example...why do we never see this run for KP?  Everyone just goes "He can't set a screen so he can't get open"....