06-02-2021, 05:28 PM
(06-02-2021, 05:13 PM)burekemde Wrote: There is no doubt that there are elements of what you are writing here. I think the reason he is scapegoat is a valid one, in the sense that he was supposed to play a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot (at least 5x fold) better than he is right now. What is even worse is that he indeed has played a lot a lot a lot (3x fold) better for the Mavs previously, even in the same scheme that is used now. He was previously protecting the paint as the best of them in the NBA. He was way better offensively, and much more importantly he gave a much better effort than he is now and looked a better part of the team chemistry wise. He also looked more healthy and athletic.
Hence, I think the criticism is valid. He was supposed to be an all star, but he doesnt play like one. He gets the money of one. He doesnt play like one. He doesnt have the impact that was supposed to have and that he is payed to create.
That being said, the other extreme is also not true. Yes, we are better with KP than Bertrans, Powell, Boban, etc. etc. He does make us better. It is just not enough to meet the rather big expectations.
The by far the worst thing is that he has regressed. In the same scheme surrounded by pretty much the same players. He has lost chemistry with the team, effort, athleticism, stats, basically everything has regressed in his game. Hence it is not due to change in scheme, but simply something to do with KP himself internally. It might be injury, it might be mental. But the fact is, he has regressed. I think its valid that many fans are not happy. There are other reasons if we dont win the title this season, even several or many. But this might easy be the biggest one, the regression of KP.
He is still one of our best players, but due to hin not meeting the expectations, it plays a huge role of us contending or not. Most other players have improved. Starting from Luka, THJ, DFS, Maxi (shooting) etc. We finished the season better position than last season. We give more fight against Clippers as a team. But one player that did actually regressed in the other direction, that is KP.
Let me be clear...TOTALLY disappointed with the results of him, his attitude (seemingly) and just the overall season so far.
He definitely has regressed, but I think that is literally an inability rather than dogging it. I think the last injury, either he came back too soon coupled with the overburdening schedule, or he's just cooked from a lateral movement perspective, I don't know, but it is sad. Either way, you have to treat him like a big man. If he wants to get on the block, then why don't we run baseline screens in the paint, and help him get good position on the block? When he gets there, why don't we pass it? Why CAN'T our guards make an entry pass that doesn't make him move off the position he got? He's not great at the position but we can't do it timely or on target? Why is the only way he can get there is high screen, switch, pass through lane to corner the only way he gets the ball? Is that him or the offense? I don't know, but it's not working.
I just continue to push back against people who go "we can't try to integrate him" or like that is some burden on Luka...You have to integrate whoever...especially a big man. I think last year, he was more like a wing who was tall, and his lack of mobility has made him more of a big man, if he's going to be integrated. The problem is that he's not strong enough to be an Embiid...so I'm not sure what's up.
He's talked early in the season about seeing things and being a step slow and just can't get there on time...that's concerning, because it's more his body won't do what he wants it to do. Half a step kills on shot blocking, recovery, rebounding and switches defensively. The other night on the drive that Paul George got a foul on him, sticks out in my mind...half a step is the difference between that foul and a block.
It's just frustrating...
"There are no friends on the court." - Luka Doncic