MAVS NEWS: Grimes Trade Completed | Luka "Ecstatic" About Klay

[Chicagojk]

Thank you. Agree 100%.  We get wrapped up in lusting for players who can do everything, which takes them away from where they make the greatest impact. So many C's want to develop skills to play the perimeter, and they drift. And we ooh and aah at the skills. But do we want the world's tallest SG or the world's best interior dominance in a big man?

I like the Tyson Chandler example - he would hit his one to two shots a game from the elbow, which would allow him to impact how he was defended as he set screens. And then he would pound the rim. That's what they have been teaching Lively (and I suspect Gafford will end up in that school as well).

I agree.  I have said this several times.   I see the appeal to being a good three point shooter.   I get that.  I assume it will come eventually.   But if I was a defense, I would gladly take him standing outside the three point line launching 4-5 threes a game vs what he can do playing off of Luka constantly going to the rim (same with Gafford).

So a legit three point shot is not in one of my top 3 things for him this offseason.  I think the hidden gem is if he can do more playmaking.   He makes really nice passing.  Can he make more difficult passes?  Can you run some offense through him besides just him handing the ball off.  If he can do this, then a whole new thing opens up.  Especially with the more recent additions. 

Second, I want to see him learn ways to punish teams when they go small or when they put a small on him.  I think for the most part him and Gafford did this.   I don't expect Lively to be Senguin in the post, but can he make it almost impossible for teams to survive with a smaller non center on him?   I am sure more teams will try this.    Most teams don't have the personnel to do this.   Some of the really good teams do.

Lastly, I want to see him continue to grow as a leader.  He may be one of our top 3 leaders already.    If he is viewed that way with the rest of the team, than that is something really special.