12-02-2021, 03:55 PM
(12-02-2021, 01:55 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I'm not even sure I agree that Green is one of the best defenders on the team. I mean, he definitely has the physical gifts for defense and good instincts on that end, so the potential is there. But, I've noticed that most fans only evaluate the defenders who are guarding the ball-handler at the moment the shot goes up, generally. Imo, what happens leading up to that point, before their man gets the ball, is just as if not more important.
DFS, for example, is GREAT at ball denial most of the time. And, I believe he's the best at forcing the ball-handler towards the help defense. I would never dream of replacing him with anyone if my goal was to improve the defense. I'd aim to add other good team defenders to the lineup with him.
Maybe Green is farther along with those things than I realize - that's very possible. All I know is that Kidd has played Green less than Carlisle did, so far. So, that's two coaches who have transparently shown us they don't believe Green is quite ready to be depended upon during meaningful NBA minutes yet. I assume both of them really want him to help the team, and both had plans for the player to learn and grow into a role.
Carlisle is coaching elsewhere and some of Kidd’s rotations have got destroyed by opponents in recent games. I am not asking to give minutes to a player that we picked out of the G league. This was a relatively high first round choice who has shown an ability to play defense and a tendency to play hard. Some of those things seem missing from our starters on a night in night out basis.
I am not even saying he is a better player than THJ or Brunson. Just that what he brings is a better fit for us to start games. I do think as far as offense he has the potential to be better than Frank N if the team is not obsessed with 3 pt shooting. But again, it’s not like most on this team are firing on all cylinders anyway.