HumbleRen wrote:OakleyDokely wrote:Scottie is very athletic. He couldn't do a lot of the things he does if he wasn't. His lateral movements, his vertical, his co-ordination for someone his size, are all elite.
Too often people conflate blow by speed with athleticism when that's only one aspect of it.
It's like saying Kawhi isn't athletic because he doesn't explode to the basket like Ja. There are different types of athletes and Scottie is very much a high-end athlete in much of the same ways Kawhi is.
Kawhi is still much more athletic than Barnes, even with his failing knees.
I also think you’re underestimating on how truly fast and quick Kawhi was when he was younger, dude was blowing by Lebron on face up possessions.
Barnes is very athletic in his own way, very coordinated and mobile for a guy his size, which is a form of athleticism on its own.
What made/makes Kawhi great is his coordination and size combined with his ability to get to his spots and shoot it over people efficiently. That's what took him to another level and that's what Barnes will need to develop if he wants to get to that elite level.
When you are as big and coordinated as guys like Kawhi and Barnes, you don't need to blow by guys because you can just shoot it over them, even when crowded. Nobody can body them out of a spot or block their shot and if even the defender makes them uncomfortable, they're strong enough to accept the contact and finish around the basket.
These guys aren't guards and they don't need to play like them. They have huge wingspans, they're built like tanks and they're athletic guys who move very well. It's all about creating space for yourself so you can score efficiently.
