03-19-2024, 01:45 PM
(03-19-2024, 12:49 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: The value of Lively potentially shooting 3's, in my opinion, isn't to further muck up the works by playing him with another center, it's to give the offense a sense of versatility and unpredictability by creating space inside, not only for Luka and the ball-handlers (in a 5-out sense), but also just so there's room inside for guys like Washington, DJJ, etc. That way, they can play the kind of "in the paint" ball they seem to want to play regardless of what pre-switches the defense employs. Small guy on PJ? No problem, just pull the opposing 5 out to the perimeter (because Lively has become a shooting threat), get PJ the ball in the paint and prosper.
The best part, however, will come into play as Lively ages, way down the road. Once he stops being able to space vertically on every play, he'll still be a difference maker on defense, at least in a drop-coverage way. Being a threat as a shooter, at that point, will extend his career significantly. See Lopez, Brooke.
This was my gut reaction to the conversation, but you articulated it as I was unable to. Brilliantly said!