05-16-2021, 05:15 PM
Let me address the issue of Defense:
The concern seems to be that our currently Defensive Rating of 15th isn't good enough. But if we remove the early season injuries, fat Luka and Covid and start the season March 1st, we have the 8th best D-Rating in the league (6th best O Rating and 6th best Net). I don't think I'm overly cherry picking the data. Its not like all has been perfect since 3/1. Maxi has been pretty bad and we've had plenty of games where we rest guys or the whole team doesn't wake up until the third quarter...and we are 8th in the LEAGUE in D-Rating despite all of that.
I don't think you can argue that Collins is worse defensively that the current version of Maxi...not the idealized version of Max Maxi from days gone by. But the Maxi who has played since 3/1. Like I said, Collins is the 6th best D-RPM among PF's this year for those who like that metric. I will admit that there are other metrics that show him to be below average also.
I'm not sure I buy that KP forgot how to play D or is too injured to play D. He's having his most efficient offensive season of his career, so that part isn't broken. Part of making Collins work has to come from KP becoming KP again (Plus, if we end up doing the F Gump version of this, THJ...arguably our worst defender, won't be here any more).
Collins is the best of Powell and Maxi offensively. He can hit 3's and post up and PNR and Pick and Pop. When in with KP, he can do the Maxi thing and let KP "get his" at the five. But, Collins will require much more attention than Maxi because he can do MUCH more than Maxi. Collins can also do the things Powell does. The variety of looks we can throw at a team offensively would be pretty incredible. Other than Embiid/T.Harris, it is hard to think of the current NBA front court that can do as much as a KP/Collins combo and STILL keep the lane open for Luka.
The concern seems to be that our currently Defensive Rating of 15th isn't good enough. But if we remove the early season injuries, fat Luka and Covid and start the season March 1st, we have the 8th best D-Rating in the league (6th best O Rating and 6th best Net). I don't think I'm overly cherry picking the data. Its not like all has been perfect since 3/1. Maxi has been pretty bad and we've had plenty of games where we rest guys or the whole team doesn't wake up until the third quarter...and we are 8th in the LEAGUE in D-Rating despite all of that.
I don't think you can argue that Collins is worse defensively that the current version of Maxi...not the idealized version of Max Maxi from days gone by. But the Maxi who has played since 3/1. Like I said, Collins is the 6th best D-RPM among PF's this year for those who like that metric. I will admit that there are other metrics that show him to be below average also.
I'm not sure I buy that KP forgot how to play D or is too injured to play D. He's having his most efficient offensive season of his career, so that part isn't broken. Part of making Collins work has to come from KP becoming KP again (Plus, if we end up doing the F Gump version of this, THJ...arguably our worst defender, won't be here any more).
Collins is the best of Powell and Maxi offensively. He can hit 3's and post up and PNR and Pick and Pop. When in with KP, he can do the Maxi thing and let KP "get his" at the five. But, Collins will require much more attention than Maxi because he can do MUCH more than Maxi. Collins can also do the things Powell does. The variety of looks we can throw at a team offensively would be pretty incredible. Other than Embiid/T.Harris, it is hard to think of the current NBA front court that can do as much as a KP/Collins combo and STILL keep the lane open for Luka.