05-22-2021, 09:13 AM
(05-19-2021, 07:23 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote:
"There is only one JJ in Dallas...RC calls him Redick"
This was a good listen...thanks for posting it.
Two sections struck me. There was a conversation about starting around the 29:00 mark. Tim says something like "I really don't care at this point for the team THIS YEAR" and then goes on to say we've all had to stay flexible because of COVID. It kind of struck me that this has been kind of a throw-away year. This is kind of backed up by the way we sat people this season and just basically gave away games in an effort to just get this thing over with and get to the playoffs. I've contended we are better than our record/numbers show. But the only way to know that is to look at the games where we were all-in. But, even that doesn't work because often the opponent was sitting people and wasn't really all-in.
The other thing I found interesting came around the 25 minute mark. Tim and JJ were talking about role. When he does start, it is next to a guy "who needs his shots" and is going to get them like 70% of the time and a second guy who needs his shots and is going to get them 20% of the time. He then goes on to describe DFS and Powell and what they can do in the offense. The point being there isn't much of a role for him with that group. Then he says "when those guys go out, that's when our time, Jalen Brunson and me...can be more in attack mode and put our foot on the gas when those guys go out". Redick then backs him up talking about rhythm and the confidence you get in every shot when you know there's another one coming your way.
We tend to assume (and Donnie sells this idea) that people want to come here to get open looks from Luka. That may be true of non-creators. But, if I'm DeRozan or Conley or Norman Powell, playing next to Luka (and KP to a lesser extent) crushes my opportunities. Yeah, I get to be the focal point for a few minutes each half when Luka sits, but that's it. Point being, it is going to be a challenge to get a "third star" whose value is derived from scoring alone. The "other" big here has a limited role with KP (either stand in the corner or be a rim runner). The "other" guard has a limited role with Luka (guard the point of attack and create...often with KP...when the primary action breaks down). There is a chance you get a guy like that (clearly we tried to get Walker), but there will need to be an understanding that he will "get his" during certain parts of the game and will not be a co-alpha with Luka when Luka is in.