04-02-2021, 10:25 AM
(04-01-2021, 08:24 AM)Dahlsim Wrote: Great stuff ML. Consistent MVP writeups!
Thoughts that jump out to me on this one (this Melli throw-in guy btw looks like he could be a fun story but another day, give him time).
Luka ! Despite the poor stretch with turnovers, I think we're watching this young super star in the process of ascending to another level when it was already at the franchise player and NBA Allstar level.
He said he was going to focus on his shooting, especially his 3 point shot as an area of improvement and incredibly you can see him trying to get into that extended range, step back, Curry, Dame range with some degree of accuracy. Just turned 22!
Becoming a threat out there takes his offense to that continual MVP candidate level we're really seeing for the 1st time this season. Brad Stevens and the Celtics clearly treated him with defensive respect of a guy they see as the key to the game when he's on the floor. Stop Doncic and worry about everyone else later.
Agree that Luka's becoming a shooting threat should cause the rest of the league to lose some sleep.
Fortunately everyone else included a capable team with a guy named ...
Jalen B. ! If Luka is a 1st name only needed guy, Jalen maybe a guy that needs only an initial added. (There was that Jalen Rose guy that also pops to mind ...). I've said the gem of draft pick from Villanova might have Chris Paul light as a ceiling. I'll admin that does seem a bit exaggerated, after all he's not an NBA Allstar, yet, but really, how good might Brunson get if he continues on this pace? He's a little older on the young player curve at 24 but his BBIQ makes him fun to watch his growth.
Yes, I have been very impressed with Brunson's development, especially this season. Due to his size, I still doubt that he is a guy who can be on the floor for heavy minutes in the playoffs or against physically large teams. But even with those limitations, we saw a guy with similar size disadvantages play a key role in a championship with JJ Barea.
KP ! The KP thing is fascinating to watch for me because it goes directly to observations I and others have made about the quirky brilliance of Rick Carlisle and the very specific mindset he applies to his basketball system. I've pointed it out as it particularly affects the BIG men on his teams, most specifically the 5 position.
Fitting with Carlisle ball as a 5 requires a very specific beast and the Unicorn probably sits right at the edge of acceptability because no matter what a center can do offensively Carlisle thinks 1st in terms of who does he defend?
I made this point ad nauseum as it relates to Boban, whose career looks to be pretty much ending effectively in Dallas in the bench cheerleader role primarily. KP who is a star player and a giant in his right just like Boban, still must be able to guard someone effectively at all times. No matter what the score is.
We can all see that if the Celtics were super small they would be a problem for KP or any giant sized Mav or even just a BIG Mav to guard.
At the same time, the mismatch on the other end should mean they have major problems guards a giant Mav near the basket, right? The losing team has to get stops more so than the team with significant lead right?
Carlisle ball doesn't have that mode, despite the fact that he is known for his brilliant offense. Its the defense that dictates there. As Coach Stan Van Gundy pointed out, this is the way NBA coaches are trained, and its why a Boban can't get minutes in today's game, although he is an extreme case.
Rick won't close the game by holding a lead with using an offensive scoring mismatch. The team has to defend well, no matter what the score says or logic even would seem to dictate in terms of winning the game.
I agree that is not his style. I rather thought that KP's benching in the fourth would raise your blood pressure.
Thanks for the good observations, Dahl.