Pointguard01 wrote:Passing is a problem, but not te only. Our defense is still very weak and I dont see it getting any better with Kidd. Team defense gets better, individual defense gets worse. We still have Dirk/Damp working the pick and rolls and trying to help when the Pauls, Nashs, Williams, Davis' drive inside, and I'd much rather have Harris quickness than Kidd's rebounding. I just dont think the team defense will be as big a factor (on this team).
That's true. The problem you mention, though, can't be solved without upgrading our C position to guys who better defend the pick-and-roll. I don't think Kidd affects that much.
But as I've said before, our offense (or lack thereof) adversely affects the defense, and vice versa. As a local columnist wrote recently, our wing defenders (Jones, Hassell, George, et al) aren't as effective because there's nobody creating open shots for them. And if they can't get open shots, they're worthless offensively. And if they're worthless offensively, even a positive defensive impact is minimized, leaving their overall contribution something equal to or less than zero.
So, which player (Harris or Kidd) would help those guys contribute more offensively, thereby allowing them to stay on the floor? It's easily Kidd. Harris doesn't help those other guys one bit offensively. Thus, you could argue that Kidd's indirect impact might really help the defense.
Offensively, if we had guys like Amare/Marion, or Jefferson/Carter that can get to the basket reguarly, then I'd be a little more excited. But all I see is more jumpers from Howard/Terry/Dirk. Granted, they may be more open jumpers, but none the less more jumpers. And we lose any type of consistent driving ability inside with Harris and Kidd's shooting/scoring is a considerable downgrade from Harris.
But we also miss a TON of open looks inside because our PG doesn't have court vision. So while he creates easy looks (usually for himself), he also misses opportunities for others. Everyone on the team does that, though.
Still, the jumpshooting is a problem. Strange, though, it's only a problem when we're not making them. Nobody complains when Dirk shoots 4 three-pointers in a row and they all go in. Anyway, you need a diverse offense to be successful in the playoffs. We don't have that Harris, so if we don't have it with Kidd, it won't make much difference.
We should still be looking to diversify offensively, though. If Josh Howard will get back to being GREAT moving without the ball, he'll flourish with Jason Kidd.
Since you brought up athleticism, let me mention one other thing briefly. The consensus on the Nets board seems to be that athletic players without reliable jumpers (like Carter and Jefferson) actually HURT Kidd's production more than help it. Just an FYI for the group.
It could would, I just know that this is far from a sure thing and the consequence of it not working is way too big of a risk that I dont want to make.
What are the consequences of Devin Harris not working out for us? And how is it any worse than if Kidd doesn't work out? I'm not sure that one is worse than the other.
