01-29-2024, 05:02 PM
(01-29-2024, 04:33 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: What is everyone's thoughts on Maxi best position for this team? I think it is PF. I would like to see him get some run with Dwight if he is healthy and productive. Maxi had some great moments as a 5, but I don't think our current team is set up for that. I think DFS made that lineup work. He was near a 40% three point shooter and could use his quickness to not allow teams to put centers on him. I think if we would put Maxi at 5, teams will put their center on Grant. We will see if Grant can look pretty mobile as he did last game. Jones Jr is someone teams don't think they need to guard either. If it if is neither one of those at the 4, than we get even smaller. Hardaway at the 4...barf....and we get killed on the glass.
So I think I like him at the 4 playing with another center. We will see if he can stay healthy and what position and matchups Kidd plays him at. I wonder what a lineup of Dwight, Maxi, Josh, Exum and either Kyrie/Luka looks like. Dwight, Maxi and Josh are close friends. Josh and Exum played together on the national team. Might be a good pairing to give Luka extended rest. Outside shooting could be a concern.
My thoughts on this have been on file with the home office for years.
Tough to tell what Kidd thinks, since Kleber and Powell haven't had much availability overlap this season. All we can reasonably glean is that when Powell is unavailable, Kidd thinks Kleber is the best option at backup center, and I certainly agree with that.
I'd be in favor of trying some lineups with Powell and Kleber, sure. I'm sure we'll see them if/when everyone gets healthy. I'm frankly much more worried about finding a way to make Grant Williams' minutes work at this point (if he's staying past the deadline). In theory, BOTH Williams AND Kleber should be able to punish opposing centers on offense. Both have to be playing well and in rhythm to do that, however.