01-14-2021, 04:37 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-14-2021, 04:53 PM by KillerLeft.)
(01-14-2021, 04:10 PM)Kammrath Wrote: RC said in the post game interview that they had talked to KP and told him he was going to be playing more 4 than last year and RC specifically said that was even before DP and Maxi were out. He seemed to imply that the intent is to split KP between 4 and 5 (he said he would be playing some 5) and my read is that KP might play slightly more 4 than 5 this year (at least that sounds like the plan they will explore). RC said again that WCS has earned the right to start and that the evidence going back to last year is that they are a much better defensive team when WCS plays.
I heard the same, and I DO agree that he'll play some 4 and some 5.
I think connecting those two ideas into one (KP playing 4 some and WCS earning minutes) is slight confirmation bias on your part. But, we'll see.
When asked the same question, KP answered that (paraphrasing) it didn't really matter, but that he felt he was most effective in "trail position." I took that to mean he prefers NOT to run to the rim in transition, but rather to essentially be the last mavs player onto the offensive side of the floor. This can create mismatches on the perimeter with or without another big who IS running to the rim, and it puts him in position to run actions with Luka above the break much earlier in the shot clock. It has the added benefit of not requiring him to run the last third of the court twice (once to the rim and once back). I believe that this points to him thinking that he'd prefer to play with a Kleber/DFS type, as they're much more ideal spacing offensively if KP is involved as the main screener.
Regardless, I often think there's a huge disconnect between what reporters mean when they ask these questions and what the coach/players mean with how they choose to answer them. It's such a complicated sport, and I think it's common for communication to completely fail without either party realizing it.
Again, I think that KP/WCS CAN play together. Now, we know they believe that, and we know the coach does, too. You were right about that. I will have to see like 20-30 games before I'm a believer in it as the Mavs' REGULAR approach, and not just alternative, bigger lineup. Frankly, I'm skeptical that the pairing will get significant time (starting or closing) in that many games TOTAL.
EDIT: I'll go as far as to say the tandem worked well enough to have me reconsidering the idea that starting Kleber might be the answer. I was previously loathe to imagine taking Kleber away from the bench group, as I valued his shooting and versatility as a weapon in waiting, ensuring the team could play effectively through the entire game. But, with the knowledge that WCS/KP can play some together, we now know that WCS can spell EITHER KP or Kleber effectively, so to me, that opens up even more options, including starting Kleber. I hope that makes sense. I have a tendency to use too many words to make a point.