(01-29-2020, 02:25 PM)Kammrath Wrote:(01-29-2020, 01:27 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: Just put WCS in the starting lineup and roll.
I am inclined to agree. I don't trust the Mavs with KP as the only big. My intuition just says it isn't the right way to get long term winning results.
For now, yes. Longer term I think KP needs to be a center. He's already the center on defense, but clearly KP could use someone next to him who can bang a little. Kleber and KP may be too similar. They're both good rim defenders, who don't bang or rebound especially well. The fact they're getting pummeled on defense when they play together is a bit odd, but as always, defense in the modern NBA is about team defense more than just having good individual defenders on the floor. One could argue Kleber and KP are both better individual defenders than Powell, but that obviously doesn't mean the team defense is better when they share the floor. Rebounding matters.
Regarding offensive fit, it would be great if KP were the next Dirk but I'm just not seeing it yet. I can see lowering his usage and turning into basically a modern version of Tyson Chandler (in terms of defensive impact). KP can stretch the floor as a shooter but I think he can also learn to roll and add some vertical spacing to the offense, like Chandler did. He's already a game changing rim defender.
I haven't heard the Chandler comparison much, which I guess just underscores the expectations on KP's shoulders, since coming to the Mavs as a 23 PPG scorer. Tough to see him scoring at the level here. But maybe he looks better next year. We'll see.
I assume long run they'll want a powerful wing / forward next to him. Not sure I loved the Powell/KP fit or if WCS/KP will be any better. KP is such an unconventional player and really Doncic is too, especially at his size. It will take some creativity to make it all work.