01-14-2023, 11:26 AM
(01-14-2023, 11:07 AM)mvossman Wrote: There is no question they screwed the pooch from an asset standpoint with Brunson, and we really miss him when Luka is not on the court. But a lot of the complaints folks make about Dinwiddie could apply to Brunson as well. He could be a bit of a ball stopper on offense and his defense is even worse than Dinwiddie's this season. He has the worst D rating on the Nicks. He also would not be putting up these kinds of numbers with Dallas because he would spend too much time on the court with Luka.
Brunson is the kind of player that needs the ball in his hands to be most effective, which means he was always going to be somewhat constrained playing with Luka on the court. Unfortunately most really good offensive players need the ball in their hands, and it makes it tough to find high level players who both fit well with Luka and would want to play with him. I think that's why folks are so interested in the Toronto guys. They are all good defenders who are used to sharing the ball with other creators, and all of them flourished next to a superstar on way to a championship.
I don´t buy this ball in hands and want to play with BS at all. Just an excuse for the owner and front office.
Guys want to be paid and win.
We have never seen Luka play with 2-3 truly elite offensive players. Yet Wood is having the best offensive season of his career factoring in percentages. Dinwiddie is having the best offensive season of his career factoring in percentages. They are basically scoring a little less, but on much higher efficiency than they did as #1 options on loser teams.
Brunson was getting better every year in Dallas and I´m sure he could have made another leap this season, too. The only reason Brunson is not in Dallas right now is Cuban.
If you put Lillard or Lavine on the Mavs they´d probably average 15PPG on three point shots alone playing off Luka. Those 25 shots Bullock, Dinwiddie, THJ, Kleber and Bertans hit at a 36.6% clip you can bump to 40%+ easily. And the roleplayers shots would be even easier playing off Luka and a 2nd offensive star. Luka becomes even more un-guardable and more rested.
Actrually think they´d have an outside shot this year, if that clown at the top just paid Brunson. Somehow Cuban won the worst signing and non-signing in the same off-season.