shangrila wrote:Domejandro wrote:Note30 wrote:
I don't know if that's true. I think a more apt comparison would be around the systems the two players have. Shai is a facilitator, he has a lot of weapons around him he can use.
I am standing very firm on this take, the gap is significant. People don’t realize how good SGA is.
Yeah, I'm with you on this one. It doesn't diminish Ant's abilities, nor are we (I assume, don't want to put words in your mouth) saying Ant can't get to that level eventually, but SGA is on a different level right now.
And the league will never be officiated "fairly", so that's an absolutely stupid argument for anyone to make.
This is true. Shai is the 2nd or 3rd best player in the league after Jokic and maybe Giannis.
We all hate the flopping and foul baiting but Shai both has more in his bag and plays a much better overall team game.
That's not to say Ant isn't great and we all don't love Ant, Shai is just better right now.
I would make a few additional points:
1. Shai functions as a true PG. He runs the team and there is not need at all for OKC to play a traditional PG while he is on the floor.
He has a better handle and is much more polished attacking double and triple teams and avoiding driving into gap help.
2. Shai is a legit 6'6 and we all forget that because he is also so skinny. It helps him get off all those floaters, contested layups and mid range step backs.
3. OKC has better offensive construction around Shai. Their bigs are skilled, they are good pocket passers and can shoot (even Jaylin WIlliams).
They have a legit shot creating 2nd option in Jalen WIlliams. Every single other player they put on the floor can shoot 3s above average.
And every player they put on the floor fits within their overall scheme. There is never more than one player out there who can't stretch the floor and there are often 5 players out there who can stretch the floor.
Now look at us. Our bigs are all poor pocket passers. Randle has one trick and its either post up or drive and kick to shooters.
He's an inconsistent outside shooter. He can't run either side of a pick and roll for a guy who is supposed to be your 2nd option.
If he is going to be our 2nd option we need to put more in his bag.
OKC was ready and waiting to take away what he does well and we didn't have any counters.
Gobert has stone hands and needs any scheme you run adapted to fit him.
He can set screens for movement shooters and camp in the dunker spot but anything else you try to run is just going to result in the other team ignoring him and camping in the passing and driving lanes.
I'd love for Ant to take that SGA leap where you can let him run your team and not need to play a true PG next to him.
But I don't see that happening next year at least.
One interesting take away I had last year was NAW's ballhandling improvement and how he seemed to have better range of movement in his wrists and looked less stiff with the ball. Especially finishing around the basket.
I wonder if there was some exercise/physical training aspect to that improvements, because it is something that would help Ant with his handle and finishing.
I also don't think buyout Beal is a good idea this year. Maybe should just trade Brooks and Allen is better option.
