2021-2022 MAVS NEWS: 4th in West | WCF loss [ARCHIVED]

[KillerLeft]

I mean, we're getting more wide open shots.
We're getting more open shots.
Our better shooters are also getting more open and wide open shots.
We have upgraded some of the positions with historically better shooters.

I can get behind the math of the above, and trust that you've checked it. The only resistance my mind offers to this line of thinking (even if I partially agree) is that my eyes aren't noticing an increase in possessions that end with shots I like. Again, I'm not disputing the info you've provided, but also not feeling like a wide open Powell corner 3 is the yardstick of an offense that's functioning with method and purpose (I realize this is an oversimplified argument - just using it as an example to make a point).

I'm definitely seeing MORE method and purpose than I did during the first few games, that's for sure. So, there is reason for some optimism. I just don't think I'm quite ready to go all in on the idea that this is all going to click and work perfectly at some point. At least, not yet. I realize that this isn't strictly what you're suggesting, either. 

To me, this part of the reason that I'm not panicking AND it's also why I think this part of the schedule was an excellent time to experience these adjusting issues.  Couple that with the fact that at least to the eye test, I think we are better defensively.

I think there's evidence of defensive progress, FOR SURE. I don't think they have solved the Porzingis pick-and-roll issues yet, and if I were Kidd that would be causing me to miss sleep. 

I'd expect the rest of the season to get better, and I think Kidd is on the right track and I also think KP isn't trash and we don't need to blow the team up and go lottery, like a lot of impatient and unwise fans suggest.

Totally agreed on the "blow it up" part. Blowing it up means trading Luka. There's really nothing else here to blow up, unless I'm misunderstanding the term. 

KP has been performing pretty well offensively - better than I ever imagined he would again. I still don't like the midrange stuff from him, but the deep paint catches have been good. I think he needs to roll more. You know, get going downhill before he gets the ball. I've seen him make some plays recently out of short rolls I didn't know he was capable of: passes to the corners off of the dribble and such. 

So, Credit to Kidd (or Korkoskov, or both) for getting this level out of him (and to KP, too, of course). BUT, it's still not as good as what we're used to seeing back when everything was about Luka and everyone else was either a roller or a spacer. While I'm up for changes that diversify that, for a number of reasons, I can't help but wonder if those changes aren't only additive, but also making it harder for Luka to do what he has done in the past. If that's the case (too early to tell) then I'm not sure it's a step in the right direction, personally. Heck, maybe some of the confusion of all of this is even on Luka. 

Defensively, KP has policed the paint strongly, lately - when he's in the paint at the same time as the ball. That's good, because he didn't do that well last season, really. He has done ok at times on switches (in iso), too. Well enough, anyway. It's the pick-and-roll stuff, man. I just don't think he has the agility needed to handle that stuff effectively. By the time he realizes which of the 100 variations of that attack is happening, it's too late. Lob pass over his head, open pull-up on the baseline, step-back, etc, etc, etc. 

I'm cautiously optimistic. Not ready to panic, but not feeling über confident this is the right path, either.