02-15-2023, 12:10 PM
(02-15-2023, 08:54 AM)omahen Wrote: As you say, offense was never really a problem. Lukas high usage was a problem and minutes without him were a problem. Kai solves that. I think Luka has showned plenty of willingness to divert to Kai. He only took one shot in Q4 against Minny (hot Kai took 12) and his usage (33% in last two games) is lower than it is his season average. It was posted a day or two ago how number of passes have increased since the trade. Kai is far from reduced to stay in the corner and watch Luka do his thing. Despite all the talk about the offense, it has been actually great in this first two games (of course it can always be better).
The problem is defense.
The big question is, if he is the right one. Brunson was not (they were not prepared to pay him more) according to Mavs, because he was small and limited defensively. Now the star they got is exactly the same on that end. Better offensively, no doubt, but very same way limited regarding building the defense around Luka.
If Kyrie re-signs, I hope the eventually the offense is less about not diverting and more about using each other. Kyrie is already really good off the ball. Luka needs to get there. If Kyrie is here in the future, Luka has to add the ability to catch and shoot...and maybe it's more the willingness and readiness to do it. Kyrie is also adept at cutting, and that is another area Luka can improve offensively.
Anytime I think about areas Luka can improve offensively, its actually scary the possibility to get better even exists because of how good he already is.
They have got to get a paint defender and a big wing defender in here this offseason. I don't know how they do it, but the defense is absolute trash (Luka's last game was pathetic). Scoring will not be a problem as long as Luka and Kyrie are here.