yoyoboy wrote:Vampirate wrote:yoyoboy wrote:I disagree with Lauri being the more difficult cover. Mitchell has the type of scoring ability and creation which only becomes more valuable in the playoffs. The Cavs needed that. Our offense would be far too easy to cover if Garland had to do most of the perimeter initiation. Lauri can create for himself to a decent degree now but he’s no Mitchell in that regard and he’s not a playmaker for others. Our offense once Rubio went down last year was horrible with Garland having to constantly try to create something out of nothing, and Lauri had all the opportunities to help us out there. I do believe he’s leveled up this year, and he’s a versatile offensive option, but he’s not an elite creator.
Mitchell is 7th in all-time playoff PPG and with his shooting off the dribble and off the catch, quick first step, strength, and ballhandling, he’s resilient to different types of coverages. The Cavs have the worst spacing in the league, employing three guys in the starting lineup who can’t shoot. And our entire roster is well below league average on open catch-and-shoot 3P% aside from Garland and Mitchell. Yet Mitchell is consistently able to barrel into a crowded paint and turn it into points or use his pull-up 3 game to counter.
I think Mitchell-Garland is a great offensive complement to Mobley-Allen and vice versa on the defensive end. The returns this year have already been good and the four won’t peak as a group for another, what, maybe 5 years?
Firstly, we are not talking about last season's Lauri, we are talking about this seasons' 25 PPG 50/40/88 Lauri.
This is all hindsight.But here's the question for you, in a playoff setting how on earth are you defending Lauri to begin with. He's way more agile, speedy for anyone his size and everyone else he'll just shoot over. You need a Mobley type of defender to guard him and that probably isn't enough.
Mitchell due to his size can be much more easily game planned on, sure he has great separation ability no doubt , however he has to work much harder to score simply because of size, especially at the rim (needs more moves, speed etc). To put it another way, it's most likely an easier cover for Mobley himself.
As for the Mitchell creating for other's argument, it's pretty balanced out with that Lauri being the better rebounder and most likely due to size the better defender.
You're also neglecting the fact to answer the fact that you'd have all your picks to upgrade the SG slot with another All Star, or being able to have the ability to trade for a real superstar should the opportunity arise.
Well I guess we’ll just have to see how Lauri does in the playoffs (if they get there this year) since you’re positive he’s a better/more resilient playoff scorer than Mitchell. We already know how Mitchell does - 32 ppg on 61% TS over the past 3 postseasons, and Mitchell is clearly better now than he was the past three years.
I think you’re focusing far too much on size when Mitchell doesn’t even play small. He has a 6’10 wingspan and he’s incredibly athletic. That separation ability isn’t just a minor caveat. It’s what makes him such an elite offensive creator, along with his shooting prowess.
And I’m not neglecting that. You would have to tell me what superstar SG we missed out on that would’ve just taken three picks likely in the 25-30 range plus Sexton (who’s honestly addition by subtraction) and Ochai Agbaji. I think people on this board overvalue late firsts like crazy. Your own GM refused to give up Anunoby for three picks that would’ve likely been in a better range, yet you think we could’ve gotten a high-level star with that package minus Lauri? Ainge clearly valued Lauri, so he was critical to the deal to actually acquire a star like Mitchell.
Well 3 things.
Firstly if the Cavs knew Lauri would turn into a 25 PPG 50/40/90 player why would they trade him with all the picks.
Secondly, it's all hypothetical, i'm theorizing Lauri's height would give him a great advantage in the post season. Pretty much 85% of MVPs are over 6"7 for a reason. However obviously Mitchell has the track record, hence my reputation point.
Lastly, this is a hindsight 20/20 thing.
There was absolutely no way the Cavs would have known Lauri would have turned into the player he did today, his time in Chicago and Cleveland was showing he was a role player not a potential All NBA player. If the Cavs could see into the future Lauri isn't being traded, period.Bolded for emphasis to get my overall real point.As for Mitchell himself, he's had some absolutely great playoff performances, but he's also had his stinkers as well. He's not in the Kawhi, Luka tier of playoff performers.
Mitchell may be 7th all time, but his Effeciency on his shots has gone from Superstar levels to below average levels in the playoffs. In the 2019 playoffs he averaged 36 PPG on 50/50/90 splits. Last year he averaged 25 PPG on 40/20/88 shooting.
As for Lauri we probably won't know for a while.
In terms of your group you're probably seen as a dangerous darkhorse in the future but never the favorites for the title. (Mobley's development may change this though)
Without the trade, provided again, the Cavs could see the future 1 year out, you are probably in a better position moving forwards to get a 4th All Star player (or 5th depending on how you view Allen) or maybe Luka becomes available then who knows.
