04-19-2024, 11:21 AM
(04-19-2024, 10:48 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: The thing is, Luka is still better than Brunson with the ball. Why would you actively want to give a guy who is worse with the basketball more opportunities?
That's like saying "No Mr. Magic Johnson, you're not allowed to handle the ball the next 3 minutes because we want to give former all-star Norm Nixon more chances."
It's silly. Brunson was a significant asset. It was a mistake letting him go. No he wouldn't have reached these heights had he been here, but because the Mavs wouldn't have needed him to. Brunson made the best choice for him and it paid off. I find it weird that you're framing this as Luka is the one "refusing" to lower his usage when in reality he's just a better basketball player than everyone and the Mavs coaching staff WANT him to have the ball.
I'd rather find guys that can empower our 1 of a kind superstar and his strengths vs. stifling him in order to give a worse player more opportunities.
LeBron used to be the best on the planet and he never dribbled the air out of the ball for 20 seconds a possession like Luka did for at least 3 full seasons(19/20, 20/21, 21/22).
Its not a fun style of basketball if employed for a majority of the regular season. Im not opposed to it in the Playoffs at all. And...Im not a Luka hater.
Just like I critique THJ shot selection and not passing...Im very against Helio-centric offenses for fans sake and for teammates of Harden and Luka.
Its an interesting idea and worth trying out...but think its bad for basketball on a regular basis, imo. In Playoffs...got no problem with it. Here and there during the regular season...got no problem with it.
Its a team game and way more fun when the tempo is up and ball movement is used and everyone eats.
Yes...its a job first and foremost. Yes...Helio-centric is beautiful concept math wise. Yes...if you have the Star to execute Helio and you think that offense style can win you a title...USE IT IN THE PLAYOFFS. Yes...you have to tinker with it during the regular season to iron out kinks with new personnel that come and go. But use it 85% of the time in games for 85% of the season? Boring as hell. Even with Luka putting his wizardry on it.
My opinion is that if there are offensive players in the league that feel they could be held hostage to that style of play for a majority of the season...they will look elsewhere first.
Im not into the "he's the best player in the World, no one else deserves to hold the ball". Not saying you mean it that strictly...but its an unreasonable take win discussing a team game.