01-12-2020, 11:46 PM
(01-12-2020, 05:54 PM)DanSchwartzman Wrote: Interesting conversation, but I have a question. Is it right to compare Powell to centers? I’d argue that KP, Powell and Maxi are all PF’s (ESPN lists them that way on their RPM rankings). KP is more of a C on the defensive end. Does that make Powell the C on offense? How many other centers have Powell’s mobility on offense?
The point is if we are saying Powell shouldn’t be the starter on a championship team, then the question really should be how he compares to the second best “big” on good teams.
BTW, I’m not so myopic to say Powell is irreplaceable in the starting lineup (I was a Powell critic a couple years back when he had a horrendous November and Mak blindly continued praising him). I just think that finding a replacement starter that moves Powell to the bench will be harder to find than some think. What I object to is people saying Powell is “worthless” or has to be traded. That’s just ignorant and ignores a mountain of data that says the team plays very well when he is in the game (and has for quite a while now).
If the question is whether Powell can guard Anthony Davis or KAT or Jokic one on one. The answer is no. Does that make him “worthless”? Also no! Is it his fault that he’s asked to do that? Also no. The team decided to start the season knowing he couldn’t guard those guys and started the season this way anyway (and when everyone is healthy, it was actually working pretty well).
Damn Dan, stop it with the measured takes! I want my reactionary posts calling for everyone to be traded!
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.