Best of luck, Doc!
RotationsPG: Luka Doncic (36) / Jrue Holiday (12)
SG: Jrue Holiday (24) / Thabo Sefolosha (24)
SF: Kawhi Leonard (36) / Nicolas Batum (12)
PF: Kevin Garnett (36) / Nicolas Batum (12)
C: Jaren Jackson Jr. (36) / Tyson Chandler (12)
OffenseWe run a 5-out PnR/PnP-heavy motion offense forcing Shaq to abandon his drop coverage. Option A is Luka spamming the spread PnR/PnP with KG or JJJ. Option B is Kawhi either creating shots himself or utilizing the Luka PnR. Luka's presence opens up space for Kawhi to attack the closeout with a shot fake or a drive, and also creates opportunities for him to spot up for open three-pointers. Jrue is my 5th option. Was the 3rd and 5th option in two championship teams. Should absolutely thrive in a supportive offensive role. Only reason he was relatively more ball dominant on the Pels is he was the 2nd best offensive player on that team and the only reliable ball handler. The team was asking him to be more ball dominant. He was also attempting more 3s off the dribble which are way more difficult shots than spot ups.
I'd argue Shaq would face bigger issues defending the perimeter than JJJ walling the paint. For the record, JJJ was averaging 37.3% in open 3s (4-6 feet) and 36.5% in wide open 3s (6+ feet). I'm perfectly happy with JJJ taking these shots all series long.
DefenseJJJ drops back to protect the rim. KG might be the best help defender in NBA history. If necessary he doubles on Shaq, especially during the non-Horford minutes. 1999 Shaq averaged more turnovers than assists (0.92 ast/to ratio). Chances are he'd be attacking the double team instead of finding the open man. We go over/fight through the pick against Billups daring him to either attack the basket against KG/JJJ or shoot the long 2 off the dribble with Jrue trying to block the shot from behind. KG and JJJ have the size to wall the paint vs Shaq and the mobility to closeout vs Horford. Luka pre-switches and peels off to the corners. His job is to contest the corner 3. If he's beaten off the dribble, JJJ and KG got his back in the paint. We have 4 DPOY winners, plus Jrue who's arguably the best POA defender in the modern era. I'd go as far as to say this is the best defensive team Luka has ever had in our games.
FGA2021 Luka Doncic 20.5
2017 Jrue Holiday 13.3
2021 Kawhi Leonard 17.5
2010 Kevin Garnett 11.2
2023 Jaren Jackson Jr. 13.0
2012 Thabo Sefolosha 3.7
2023 Nicolas Batum 4.9
2006 Tyson Chandler 3.6
Total: 87.7
