MKG

[omahen]

I made it over to the AAC for the first time since the free practice formally known as Fan Jam. I watched the Mavs plaster almost 140 on the T-Pups without Luka and KP playing their best, cheered for wolves to miss free throws so I could have some free Chik-fil-a, AND thoroughly enjoyed watching MKG play defense. 

There is nothing like watching defense live. The camera just doesn't allow you the freedom to follow a guy around the court since it just follows the ball. 

The dude smothers people. He just swallows players whole. One on one, a ball handler squares him up, probes in a couple different directions, notes that the dude in front of him isn't letting him go anywhere, and passes the ball along. 

And he was moving and engaged the whole the shot clock. What a fun watch!

I am jealus

As far as MKG goes, I have to say I noticed more his negative sides. His offense is just non existent. Defense can simply move away from him and opposing center would have absolutely no problem guarding him. He is too small for a PnR. As long as this is as it is, he can only be used as a specialist who is thrown in to cool down an exceptionally hot player.

Besides, defense is a team play and Mavs one remains horrible until further notice  Atomic offense was saving the day since the all star break. Mavs are just switching everything, which I don't think is smart with their 5 out strategy. They can't allow KP to be switched on a shooter, as no one else can help under the rim. Transition defense is really bad. A lot of misscomunication, with players just taking opponent closest to them, ignoring miss matches. I saw it gazillion times a center taking best opposing shooter (who promptly scores a three), despite our guard standing near to do the job. Lack of defensive communication seems to be a problem too. 

While our offense is really a thing of beauty, playoffs will show limits of this team. Can they step it up a couple of notches?