(01-15-2022, 02:39 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Let's just look at 1/1 til now. Below are raw numbers for Brunson, for Luka and the combo in a series of games where the combo total is -5.6. Yes, it is a small sample size, but we did go 6-1 during this stretch with an average margin of +9.7.
Team JB Luka Combo
1/2 W (+9) +0 -4 -20.0
1/3 W (14) +10 +25 +47.3
1/5 W (+17) -2 +2 -32.6
1/7 W (+24) +31 DNP NA
1/9 W (+14) +3 +26 +19.3
1/12 L (-23) -19 -24 -35.6
1/14 W (+27) +12 +12 -6.8
Turns out a couple of good games (Games Luka was really positive) are lifting up the number (to -5.6) rather than one bad game dragging down an otherwise good number. Yeah, I thought you might have made a good point about the really bad performance in NY, but the Luka/JB minutes were really bad in wins against OKC and Golden State. Even in last night's game the combo was -6.8.
I feel like this is too small a sample to derive too much from yet, but we only a few weeks more sample before we have to make a decision on Brunson. If he really is not a good fit with Luka (which is not surprising because they are such similar players, neither being particularly good at catch and shoot or defense which the other needs to complement them) then it probably makes sense to move him.
Personally I like the idea of combining Brunson with THJ and sending them out for a player that basically combines them (can be a secondary distributor and a catch and shoot player). The two guys I can think of who make most sense are McCollum and Hayward, but I don't really see either team wanting the THJ/Brunson package.