CoP wrote:nikster wrote:CoP wrote:Luka's offensive gap is only significant as a passer. Both are three-level scorers with the ability to get to the line. Scoring volume difference is due to FGA/g. DRB the same. TS% about the same. Accounting for Tatum's better defense and playing more games, it comes out about even.
Luka fans were drooling over the prospect of Kyrie coming to town. Many had penciled him in as the MVP favorite when that move happened. Then they fell off the cliff.
Meanwhile, the Mavs dump Brunson and Brunson leads the Knicks to the cusp of the conference finals while having his best season ever. KP goes to WAS and his numbers improve. Wood comes to DAL and his numbers decline.
Maybe it's less that Luka is carrying everyone else and more that Luka's playstyle suffocates others somewhat.
And then in the playoff there is a massive difference in scoring. Punctuated by the fact that Luka creates far more of his shots himself, making him more resiliant in the playoffs. In the playoffs about 50% of Tatums field goals are assisted, Lukas 20%. Luka is a far superior offensive player in the playoffs....and its not even close. Wonder how many more offensive collapses you need to see from the Celtics
Kyrie didnt decline or get smothered at all (Tho the team fell apart due to horrible roster construction). Woods points per 100 possession is actually a career high. He's just playing less because he's not very good. Kristaps only improvement is staying healthy for the most of a season. Brunson has a case...but he was one of the highest usage players in the league this year. Im sure Brunson would fit better with Tatum, but im also sure Brown is a better fit with Luka then he is in Boston.
Playoffs? Luka couldn't even make the playoffs with Kyrie this year. Harp on the Celtics' offensive collapses all you want, at least they happened in the conference finals or the finals. Luka didn't even make the play-in. Does that matter at all, or nah? Luka, Kyrie and some role players couldn't do better than an OKC team that was 2 games under .500?
JB would languish alongside Luka, just like nearly every other SG he plays along that has to watch him dribble it around for most of the possession before either shooting or kicking it with little time left on the shot clock. Middle of the league in offense this year (16th), bottom third of the league in offense last year (24th), and middle of the league in offense the year before that (17th). I'm sure, according to Luka fans, this is none of Luka's fault and Cuban just has to build a better team around him.
Ok so lets go with this lineup:
Powell
Bullock
Tatum
Green
Irving
You think Tatum could do better playing along side Dwight Powell, Reggie Bullock, and Josh Green?