01-02-2024, 01:10 PM
(01-02-2024, 01:01 PM)Winter Wrote: That's an interesting question. I often wonder if players like Kyrie simply don't have the impact because of factors having to do with a Luca-centric style of basketball. Many of the assets needed to compliment Luca are really redundant with another ball-handling guard. Instead, the better combination I think is with bigger players who can rebound, defend, and roll toward the basket. But if that's true, that's something the FO should have known years ago.
Luka adjusted a lot in the season start. Offense was way less Luka heavy than previous years. Luka also greatly improved his catch and shoot. We need guys who can do stuff on their own, one player can't carry all the burden. Way to predictable. What Mavs lack for years are two way players, who are possibly as good defenders as possible next to Luka and Kyrie. Exum is close to that, thats why he had so much success.
Defense was decent without Kyrie, because the team can survive a couple of bad defenders (Luka, THJ), but again just fell apart against Utah as defense with Luka-Kyrie and THJ will never work. That was just difficult to watch, how many times defense completely fell apart. Sure, there were additional factors. Luka was obviously not right, that injury must be bothering him. He was static on defense and settling for difficult shots on offense. The whole team looked kind of lost.
Luka can play some decent man to man defense, but he is not really helping with rotations. I think THJ has been really bad on defense this season, other than some highlight offensive fouls he is so good at forcing.