Jjforprez wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
You're right, somebody has got to teach these guys how not to fold under pressure...
I think we we are folding more on the defensive end. Granted we hit tough streaks offensively, and ever player has a bad game, but it's the break down under the basket on D that has me concerned. I said this on another thread: Smoove is an outstanding shot blocker, but we need someone to watch his back when the defense is spread out over the floor, and to sure up the middle when Smoove is resting.
A not-so-great Kings team got a lot of easy baskets by simply passing inside to any player who jogged to the hoop. Zach Randolph too, took us apart. I think we need a big, utility shot blocker with some weight on him. I love Diop for that job and he can actually get up and down the floor well for his size. We can sub him in whenever the opposing team gets on one of those runs so that he can disrupt their offense, and then go back to the bench. I know NJ is interested in keeping him when he goes into free agency this summer, but they also have three other adequate to good big men on their roster, and I think we could out bid them for Diop and still get him at an affordable price. I'd be open to other role playing defensive big men though.