How should Boston handle KP going forward??

[playa-hater]

I think I made only 2 threads in 5 years, but here goes.

Is it just coincidence that Boston seemingly plays better without KP then with? I don't do numbers, but since his return their seems to be some evidence.

Do we stay the course? Lessen his load on offense? Is it possible to lessen his load or will KP just keep doing what he does??

Bring him in as 6th man? (side note) I would start Kornet over Al in that case. Kornet playing better than Al and stays inside near the Rim on offense. Defense similar for me between the 2.

Is my theory of too many mouths to feed legit? I mean Tatum sometimes barely gets it going when we are fully healthy. Was tonight against the NYK just a coincidence for Tatum?? what about White and even Jrue getting more opportunities.

KP is still the best rim protector. Would KP blow a gasket if he was told to be the 6th man??

Would Joe even have the courage to ask??

Can we consider starting KP on a game-to-game basis depending on matchups??

What will give us the best Chance to win 19??

Opinions ??

[redslastlaugh]

It’s noticeable that KP needs a lot of touches and doesn’t gel all that well, especially this year, with the other main guys. However, the playoffs are a different beast. We actually lost the Luke minutes alltold last year, even going 16-3, Luke didn’t hold up in every situation in the high leverage settings. And Tillman is way worse than he was last year. And Horford is showing his age.

So, it is noticeable, I agree, in regular season basketball that the flow/teamwork/defense is better without KP a lot of the time. I think we’re really gonna need him still in the playoffs if we’re gonna repeat.

So I’d keep KP as the starter and hope his chemistry with JT/JB gets back to last years level.

[Bar Fight]

I think part of it is JT needs to be more aggressive offensively even with KP out there. He should always be our first option, regardless of who's in the lineup/who has a mismatch. Let KP and everyone else play off of him

[Fierce1]

I think part of it is JT needs to be more aggressive offensively even with KP out there. He should always be our first option, regardless of who's in the lineup/who has a mismatch. Let KP and everyone else play off of him

That's easier said than done.

I think when KP is in there, KP should be the #1 option.

The adjustment KP needs to make is if he doesn't have a good shot, pass the ball immediately.

It's when KP holds on to the ball for too long that kills the offense.

[playa-hater]

I think part of it is JT needs to be more aggressive offensively even with KP out there. He should always be our first option, regardless of who's in the lineup/who has a mismatch. Let KP and everyone else play off of him

I have wanted this for years, even early going. It just seems like he sets the tone for Boston better when he does that.

[Riverwalk2021]

KP is a change up you use to keep the defense off balance, not a #1 option. He’s too soft and not a consistent enough of a shot maker to be a #1. He also doesn’t have a feel for the game and very robotic. Slow processor of the game and not a good passer.

He has looked very poor on defense since he’s come back. Stats are stats but the eye test tells you more.

Tatum is probably the most versatile and well rounded player in the game. That’s the #1 option.

[Fierce1]

KP is a change up you use to keep the defense off balance, not a #1 option. He’s too soft and not a consistent enough of a shot maker to be a #1. He also doesn’t have a feel for the game and very robotic. Slow processor of the game and not a good passer.

He has looked very poor on defense since he’s come back. Stats are stats but the eye test tells you more.

Tatum is probably the most versatile and well rounded player in the game. That’s the #1 option.

I agree with your assessment of KP.

But Tatum is more adaptable.
And they already did this last season.

Just give the ball to KP first then go from there.

If KP has no shot then JT gets it back and decides what to do next.

It's not necessarily KP as the exclusive #1 option.

Just let him touch the ball first.

[Riverwalk2021]

KP and JB need to fit around Tatum, and be compliments on the same level of White. White isn’t the ISO scorer on the level of either but he’s become a very good shot maker and has always been an elite decison maker. Then you have a third level for guys like Pritchard and Jrue would need to have their touches but in moderation. Jrue excels in slower low scoring affairs like the POs where physicality rules, while Pritchard is better in faster tempo situations and smaller defensive teams. They both make plays on the margins that are huge but are more matchup dependent. If there was hierarchy, this is the best imo.

I don’t like getting guys early touches. You’re negating your greatest strength, the best and most versatile starting 5 in the NBA.

[Marvel]

Sit him till the playoffs. Rack up the Ws. Championship. Rinse, repeat, 3 peat.

[Jellybeans]

OMG here we go again.
There is nothing to handle.
Making problem out of nothing.
Like we dint see what they where doing last season

[GrandTheftRondo]

Leave as is.

Seriously.

They were dominating with him last season. He’s been a little disjointed this year yeah but so has the team.

We need him to beat Cleveland. We definitely will need him to beat OKC.

If you’re worried about offence, it needs to lie with Tatum to be more aggressive offensively. There’s no reason for him to not play like he did tonight every night. Porzingis is a complimentary player. Not the main guy. He’s there to play off Tatum and also a break in case of emergency option when the offence is struggling.

[ThePigeon]

Just move and do back screens or something when KP or JB get the ball
The problem is that when both get the ball and start working, all other 4 players on the court are stagnant. Just stand and watch.
There is the P&R between JB and KP to a dunk that Scal calls Cookies & Cream. Do it. Keep moving and the ball will find you (JB is better at it than KP).

Also, when playing with KP we need someone to be at the dunker spot. 5 out isn't working so great this year. This will open the play and the movement I talked about above.

And final point, KP needs to cut his logo 3s
Shoot it in the flow of the game when you are open. Not from the logo after 2 seconds to kill the momentum

[ConstableGeneva]

They need to play well with him. Our best version is still our top five playing well together. Starts with running offense better with all three of JT-JB-KP on the floor. Often their mismatch hunting just burns clock and turns into stagnant possessions and/or one-pass possessions.

Currently +12.5 w/o KP. Only +2.0 w/ him.
21-5 w/o KP. Just 16-11 w/ him.

Aren’t you grateful we have the trio of bigs behind him, incl. the maligned Kornet and geriatric Horford? Without them, we would’ve lost even more games.

[phincsfan]

I think part of it is JT needs to be more aggressive offensively even with KP out there. He should always be our first option, regardless of who's in the lineup/who has a mismatch. Let KP and everyone else play off of him

That's easier said than done.


It's when KP holds on to the ball for too long that kills the offense.

That's easier said than done because KP is naturally slower than molasses.

[meatball sub]

Feels like KP is just playing really soft this year, perhaps trying to save himself for the playoffs. We ran through the rest of the league last year with the way he played before he got injured.

He’s noticeably softer this year which definitely has to change come April

[playa-hater]

OMG here we go again.
There is nothing to handle.
Making problem out of nothing.
Like we dint see what they where doing last season

Making a problem out of nothing? I thought this was a message board to discuss things.

I did leave an option for stay the course.
And that's all you would have had to say.

[playa-hater]

Feels like KP is just playing really soft this year, perhaps trying to save himself for the playoffs. We ran through the rest of the league last year with the way he played before he got injured.

He’s noticeably softer this year which definitely has to change come April

Well, you might say everyone is playing softer with the exception of Brown who is still posting up and going strong to the rim..

[bfchs123]

Not too concerned, playoff basketball is a completely different beast. Game slows down a lot and you're going to need a big who you can hunt mismatches with. Think game 1 vs. Dallas when he came back and started shooting over everyone

Yes Luke and Queta had great games yesterday which is great for the regular season but they will get exposed playing anymore than 10-15min a game in the playoffs

[bisme37]

Has KP been playing every other game? (I don't remember it that way but I'm half asleep haha)

I don't think that's the case, and until last week and a half we'd been losing every other game.

I kinda just think the whole team was loafing through every other game and then are really good at bouncing back from a loss.

If there's a KP connection it may just be random?

[playa-hater]

Has KP been playing every other game? (I don't remember it that way but I'm half asleep haha)

I don't think that's the case, and until last week and a half we'd been losing every other game.

I kinda just think the whole team was loafing through every other game and then are really good at bouncing back from a loss.

If there's a KP connection it may just be random?

I think kp plays every game with the exception of back to backs