02-24-2024, 12:00 PM
(02-24-2024, 08:53 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: I brought up Gordon either before or right after the trade was made. I hedged saying I wasn't really sure of PJ's game and I thought Gordon was a little bit bigger, a little more skilled, and a little more athletic.
Gordon's stats are nothing special...especially considering who he plays with. 30% from three. 14 points per game. 6.5 rebounds. But he has found a role and plays it well for one of the best teams in the league. I don't know if Gordon is considered the 3 or 4, but he is a good match with Porter. Both guys are big. Porter is more of the wild card. A guy who can get you 30 with some really tough shots. Gordon is more of your guy who does a little bit of everything and fills in when needed. Can PJ do that with the Mavs?
I disagreed strongly with your Aaron Gordon/PJ comparison at the time of the trade.
Thus far, PJ's defense has been much better than I anticipated.
We will have to see if he keeps it up though. I still find it troublesome that PJ played out this year at Charlotte essentially not trying on defense. He was a negative defender on DPM and LEBRON prior to the trade. He's been amazing since the trade though. My concern is that defensive intensity might drop at some point. So far though, so great.
His ability to handle and finish at the rim have also exceeded my expectations. We'll need him to shoot better from 3 but the shot looks fine and the sample size is really low.
That's looking like a winning move thus far even though I still believe we should have better protected the 2027 pick.
Grant Williams has played well for Charlotte since the trade as well so I believe both teams love the trade thus far.