Phreak50 wrote:Ah, Mills is such a bad defender and it was the difference tonight imo. Bad reads off screens and just terrible footwork and one on one defense on not even that great or quick players.
I know it's not a popular opinion but with him out there with Manu, the gambling matador, we just get smoked so often.
And has anyone else noticed how (not sure if lazy is the word), um, relaxed on defense Leonard is when his man doesn't have the ball? He is losing his man, looking around like a deer in headlights at times and gambling a bit himself. You've got to just live with Dirk hitting tough shots and not come over and leave someone like Matthews open as well. Still great one on one, but Kawhi's offensive load definitely seems to be impacting his energy and effort on D.
Both good points. One reason Patty will never be a starter in the league is because he can't defend (defends poorly). I was all for Leonard being more involved offensively as I think most Spurs fans were, but I think on many nights they are taking it way too far (to the point of ridiculousness) and it is definitely having effect on his defense.
I don't want to start feeling about Kawhi the same way I did about Jordan and Bryant but its happening. Anyone can score 30-40 points when they are allowed to shoot 50 times a night. The player becomes non-efficient and a detriment to the players around him. I'm positive that part of Aldridge's problem is that the offense is too one-dementional.
As Ive said before, I'm not a fan of Aldridge's lackadaisical attitude and laziness sometimes but Ive also focused on only him for a few games this year and there are way too many times where he has decent post position or a mismatch only to see Kawhi or someone else shoot a contested fade away three pointer with three guys guarding them. I have to admit I'd be pretty lackadaisical myself if I was in his position.