GDT: Clippers (16-10) at Mavs (16-10) 7:30p

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I still give Luka a free pass because he has to do everything. Expecting him to play top notch defense at the minutes he is playing isn't realistic.

Without Luka, we're a 10 win team.

I agree with this. Its just that if he isnt leading by example while Lively and Kyrie are out, he might as well sit tough games too because him being a sieve on defense isn't working regardless of the offense he provides.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

I agree with this. Its just that if he isnt leading by example while Lively and Kyrie are out, he might as well sit tough games too because him being a sieve on defense isn't working regardless of the offense he provides.

Listen, I won't defend Luka's lack of defense, but he was playing it well early on this season. But no player that isn't known for D is going to play it at 40 mpg.

The person responsible for the lack of defense is Kidd. None of our defensive guys are playing it which means it's a system problem.

Like Grant Williams for example. His D has been pretty crappy. I don't believe he just suddenly forgot how to play it. I don't think he is being held accountable for playing it.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Listen, I won't defend Luka's lack of defense, but he was playing it well early on this season. But no player that isn't known for D is going to play it at 40 mpg.

The person responsible for the lack of defense is Kidd. None of our defensive guys are playing it which means it's a system problem.

Like Grant Williams for example. His D has been pretty crappy. I don't believe he just suddenly forgot how to play it. I don't think he is being held accountable for playing it.

Im buying all of that. I also blame FO/Kidd for accepting DP as our main guy coming into the season since no one knew Lively would be ready yet.

Grant has been a down grade from DFS after the 2/3 week honeymoon phase. Furthermore, as a whole we are dogshit at double teaming on defense.

I realize its a tall task to ask Luka to be Kawhi for even a game or 2. I'm only talking about the difference in the effort he was giving before Lively and Kyrie went down when we had a nice stretch of games where we looked solid on D. Luka has been playing heavy mins even before losing Lively and Kyrie. I'd just like to see him get back down the court, get in position on defense and not accept getting blown by so easily. Again, it's more about the leadership than it is being a lockdown defender every posession.

[Melonhead]

Luka out vs Rockets (quad)*

*aka rest

If one of Kyrie or Lively doesn?t play you can add that to the loss column.