07-06-2023, 01:10 PM
(07-06-2023, 12:56 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Maybe we’re overthinking this. Here are some simple thoughts:
1) we know they like to start games with 1-5 spread pick and roll, establishing how the defense will approach that before moving on to counters. I doubt that will EVER change, as long as Luka is the driving force of this team. Lively can do that at a passable level right away, I think.
2) we know they want to play a little more drop coverage and protect the paint/defend the rim better. It’s a stated priority. These are Lively’s strengths, and why he vaulted up draft boards. He’s probably not to his final level on this stuff, but they are his strengths.
3) the biggest issue on defense for young bigs is that they’re foul prone. Assuming that will be an issue with Lively, and that they’re planning to play him at all, would you rather those fouls come at the beginning of halves, or later, when the free throws have a chance to sway momentum?
It’s possible that Lively will ONLY get that McGee stretch in the 2nd quarter and not even play in the second half, I guess. But, I actually wouldn’t be totally shocked if he started the first and third quarters, 3-7 minutes in each, depending on how things go.
This is a lot of the same stuff I was thinking. His main problem at first will be foul trouble. But, that's something that can be worked with. I would much rather give him the room to grow than to bring in a guy that will slow down his development and tie up additional assets.
He came out slow early on last year and as the season went on just got better and better. He is a perfect fit for what Dallas wants to do. So, personally I would be inclined to roll with him being that you have Kleber, Powell, McGee, and Holmes (in that order) as a safety net. I don't think the 5 spot is possibly as bad as it may seem right now.
We didn't make the cut but thanks for all the support!