Klomp wrote:urinesane wrote:Absolutely, we've become a society of instant gratification and perceptions ruling the day. The teams that have had the most longterm success have also been the ones that have stayed the course, even when many were probably calling for change (often for change's sake).
When it comes to talking about Jokic, Embiid, and KAT people always point to how Jokic and Embiid have continued to develop throughout the years, now being at MVP level. They've used this argument to diminish KAT as if they are all occurring in a vacuum with the same variables at play (outside of Jokic, Embiid, KAT).
Now, I am not saying that KAT is currently on their level, but the main thing those two have had the benefit of that KAT has never had is consistency and continuity within the organization. In addition to that consistency, Jokic and Embiid haven't really been asked to change their games for the benefit of the team. KAT has not only had inconsistency in every aspect of the organization, coaches, players, but he's also been asked to be a different player in many of these different situations. All things considered, he's done a pretty good job, but in order to be an MVP, I believe that you need consistency AND years of being able to craft your game down to the tiny nuanced details.
When you are asked to play a game you aren't used to it's difficult to carve out "your game" because you're busy playing with the team's current variable in mind, not necessarily how to best maximize your personal skillset.
Obviously it can't be guaranteed, but I think a lot of the criticisms of KAT wouldn't hold up if he'd been in Denver or Philadelphia all these years. He'd have had more winning pieces around him, consistent coaching, and a franchise willing to build around him (rather than trying to accumulate talent and throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks each year). The adaptability of KAT is impressive, but it spreads him too thin IMO. The KAT that everyone has hoping he could be can only exist with consistency of the franchise, team, and his role.
Both of those teams still had to make moves in order to get where they are.
Denver had to trade for Aaron Gordon.
Philadelphia traded for James Harden. And earlier Jimmy Butler.
And both front offices made coaching changes along the way.
Teams just don't traditionally develop straight into a title contender. Significant changes have to be made along the way.
Malone is the only NBA coach Jokic and Murray have ever had. His first year was Jokic's rookie season. Murray joined the following year.
