12-14-2021, 04:16 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-14-2021, 04:18 PM by BasketballJones41.)
(12-14-2021, 03:06 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Offensively, too, tbh.More fair points as usual. Here’s my counter.
What did KP hate about the past couple of seasons? Being only a floor spacer.
What is Turner talking about being annoyed with now? Being only a floor spacer.
It's not a "Carlisle thing" in either case. For the Mavs, the point was to create space/lanes for Luka. Since this approach has stopped, everyone is suddenly disappointed in Luka's play, to some extent or another. It's possible there are other factors at play with that, but transitioning to a more KP-friendly system is unquestionably involved. For the Pacers, Sabonis is GREAT in the post. Turner has to space for him, obviously. I'm sure Turner would love to run some pick and roll (like pre-injury Powell) but there's Sabonis, in the paint.
KP wants the ball more, not less. Sabonis wants the ball more, not less. One of them would be asked to do something they absolutely hate, offensively (probably Porzingis). They both want to play the same, exact role within the offense.
Adding Sabonis (or Turner, for that matter) to KP would be adopting the same issues that have held the Pacers back for years, imo.
Now, replacing KP with either of them is something that could be interesting to think about.
Right now KP is starting next to a non-shooting big. And it’s not like Sabonis is a liability in that department. He may not be a knockdown shooter but he has an OK jumpshot that he seems to hit when he’s open.
I don’t see any reason that KP and Sabonis couldn’t each get a satisfactory amount of shots of playing next to Luka for 30 minutes a game. Likely either Hardaway or Brunson would be outgoing in the deal so that would open up a lot of shots anyway.
Sabonis would actually help KP do a lot of what he does best on offense. For whatever reason we just don’t commit to him and Luka running the pick and roll. So KP is at his best only doing that a few times a game. It seems to me what he prefers is to mix it up a little bit. A pick and roll here and there. Cutting off the ball and attacking the offensive glass. And getting a few post ups. All of those things would be strengthened with Sabonis here particularly with Dom being such a good passer. I think there would be enough opportunities around for everybody to eat.
And again the possibility remains that he and KP would not be a good pairing and I’m aware of that. My point is, and I think you’ve already agreed with this, is that when you have the chance to grab a 25 year old Allstar you do it. If it doesn’t work can you trade one of them later. Right now I think KP‘s trade value is climbing and no doubt Sabonis would put a big numbers playing with Luka. So I think in the off-season you could get a nice haul for either one of them.
One other thing that might help KP is Sabonis being such a good rebounder. That would take an enormous load off of Porzingis and further reduce wear and tear and injury possibilities.
I’m completely in favor if this move is a possibility.
I know the NBA has changed a little bit but let’s not forget that KP was his best self playing next to Kantor in New York.