Quote:
Originally Posted by Dallas41
You might be the only guy in this entire thread that pointed out his ability to pass
I don't think anyone has noticed beyond KP and Luka this team lacks good passers or guys who can actually find open shooters or cutters.
KP had 4 assists in game 3 Luka was the only other guy on the team who really had assist.
What does that say about the rest of team?
Mavsmoneyball touched on it we have too many guys with tunnel vision (shoot 1st mentally) and if they can't get off a good shot they are basically stranded and it results into bad possessions often.
Brunson is good at driving but when gets stuck in traffic you'll notice he's not really good finding open shooters which is why his assist totals are always low for a PG
But my biggest gripe is KP just seems to get less shots than half the other starters and even some bench players at times. I've rarely seen throughout these playoffs after watching all the other teams play where the teams 2nd leading scorer only gets 10 shots and goes 5 minute stretches pretty often without taking a shot.
Now maybe it's KP just not being aggressive enough looking for his shot but it just looks like as a team outside of Luka no one else really passes the ball to even get him a shot but KP will pass the ball often himself.
He just might have to play like THJ and just let it fly every time he touches the ball instead of looking to swing the ball so often.
Game 2 was a blue print as to how he can get involved inside and out but it just looked like in game 3 it was every man for himself on offense.
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I've always said that KP is an underrated passer, and I'd like to see some offense flow through him similar to what Denver does, but the 5 out isn't conducive to this. Also, people point out that KP is not good in the post. Well, to be frank, our offense rarely gives him opportunities in the post, and he's still a young guy, but I don't exactly see where the focus on developing this part of his game is going to come from if not from the coaches. A guy standing on the perimeter jacking 3's may not be required by the coaching staff to work on backing down players while in the post. Yes, KP has a responsibility in his development, but the coaching staff doesn't get a pass.
Has everybody already forgotten how the Mavs' coaching staff was copying plays from the Lakers because they were having trouble integrating him into the offense? I sure haven't, and those very same issues are still present.
My fear tonight is that RC reverts back to his small ball tendencies thinking he can better counter the Clippers smaller lineups that way. This is going to be a disaster if he goes this route. Powell, Brunson, Burke, THJ are all poor defenders, and RC's small ball lineups tend to have at least 2 if not 3 of those guys on the floor at the same time. It'll end up being a layup drill, and the Clippers will destroy the Mavs with an inside out game.
My typical answer that gets mocked is a zone with Boban in the middle. Hell, play Boban and KP together. KP typically stands around the 3-pt line on offense, so keep the bigs in the middle of the defense and make the Clippers beat you shooting while eliminating the layup drill.
On offense KP is going to be standing out by the 3-pt line anyway.
2nd unit, throw Maxi out there with WCS. Nice size with some shot blocking presence.
I'd flesh out the rest, but it's a waste of time - never going to happen. Chuckers gonna chuck, and go smaller when possible. :-/
Tonight I think the Mavs get physically dominated. :-(
I hope I'm wrong, but I've been watching this crapshow for too long to believe otherwise. All the Clippers have to do is take THJ out of the game and let Luka get his 40+. Stats will look great for Luka and the Mavs will lose unless KP steps up, and he's just not integral to the offense the way he is utilized, regardless of how many minutes he plays.