11-21-2024, 11:07 AM
(11-21-2024, 10:39 AM)mvossman Wrote: I feel like Grimes may have already reached that level of trust. After averaging roughly 10 minutes a game (including a DNP) for the first 10 games, he has averaged over 25 minutes a game over the last 5. His three point percentage is up to 40%, he has one of the best net ratings on the team (something I think they look at) and one of the best defensive ratings on the team (which matches the eye test). And I think he is just getting started. His three attempts per 36 is well down from his career average which I think is a sign that he is not fully comfortable yet. I expect that number to continue to rise as he gets more comfortable. My expectation is that he remains a mainstay in the rotation at 20+ minutes and that continues into the playoffs.
I'm a huge Maxi homer, but I think its getting really difficult to call him a two way player. He was always limited on offense to mostly a 3&D player, but its getting harder and harder to call him that. His points, attempts and three point attempts per 36 have all been falling to the point where he hardly ever takes a shot, and when he does shoot he hasn't hit 35% in 3+ years. Between this limited offensive impact and his injury history I think he needs to be looked at more as a situational player than part of the core playoff rotation.
As for secondary playmaker, I feel like this is mostly a concern when Luka is off the court. I'm not worried about Luka as the only true playmaker on the court for the 8 to 10 minutes Kyrie is off the court in a playoff game, especially given how much more offensively skilled the support players are now. As for when Luka is off the court, I hope Naji does pan out in that role. Otherwise, I'm afraid its going to be Dinwiddie. In a truly tightened playoff rotation, ideally I see Naji generally subbing for PJ and Luka, and Grimes subbing for Klay and Kyrie.
Great, interesting thoughts, as per usual!
I hope you're right about Grimes. I don't trust anything until after the All Star break, but I agree - the past few games have been an indication that he and Kidd are getting closer to understanding how he can fit here, and he's starting to do his part by helping the team win. Let's hope that continues.
Totally valid point regarding Kleber. Yes, he must be a threat on offense, or his defense won't matter, and yes, that's the secondary concern, after the obvious "when will he get hurt again" concern. His shot hasn't come around yet, BUT, I have seen him do some things during this stretch on offense in transition, off the dribble, after offensive rebounds, on cuts, etc, that I haven't seen him do for YEARS. I totally agree he's not doing those things enough, and that he needs to be a corner shooter threat, but there's something about the way he's moving this year that has me feeling hopeful. There have been times during these past couple of seasons when he was "healthy" enough to play, but not healthy enough to play WELL. It had reached the point around here where many had started to write off the rest of his career, and I was slowly drifting towards that mindset. He has made some defensive plays recently that remind me of the old Kleber. It's a long season, but my hopes are officially up, I'll admit.
"In a truly tightened playoff rotation, ideally I see Naji generally subbing for PJ and Luka, and Grimes subbing for Klay and Kyrie." ---- This is absolutely the way I hope it shakes out, too. Marshall (and PJW) have to be willing to shoot for this to work, but that's a team who can play defense, Kleber or no Kleber.