SeanBobcats wrote:fatlever wrote:LOL at MKG getting 7 mpg. Either he's traded or gets 20+.
People don't seem to realize that MKG has a chance to look better than ever with the team this year. And I'm not saying this because I'm still a huge MKG believer (which I was in the past). He's played in basically the same system since his second year in the league which seemed to cut out the few strengths he has on offense such as his transition game and cutting ability. He also should have been getting more looks in small ball lineups which I definitely think he will get this year. I've gotta think a faster pace could bring out some of MK's strengths more than ever with Borrego.
I'm not saying MKG is necessarily a part of this team's future, but if we do look to move him, it's better to sell high than sell low.
That's certainly possible, but it's also equally possible that this ends up being a Kenneth Faried situation. Faried was Denver's third highest paid player last year on a contract very similar to MKG. At one time he was viewed as a super important part of their roster. In spite of all that he spent most of the last year nailed to the bench even though he's been 100% healthy. Faried even has some interesting skills - he's a good rebounder, gets steals, and even has the occasional really nice pass. However Denver went out and got an expensive modern PF in Milsap and sat him anyway.
Like MKG, Faried's skills were not suited to where the game has gone. He doesn't shoot 3s. He can't run an offense as a point forward. He isn't tall enough to be moved up a position on a nightly basis (and the team has a surplus of guys at that spot anyway).
It would be cool if MKG broke out and started hiting 3s or something ... but the odds of that happening in year 7 for him are low. On top of that MKG's defense last year - the whole reason he's on the floor to begin with - really wasn't that good. It was easily his worst year ever on that end.
Maybe a new coach and system will help, but the fact is that the team has guys who can play SF in Nic, Miles, Bacon, Marv, & Lamb who are two way guys. Ditto for PF with Marv, Frank, Miles & even Cody. SG has Lamb, Monk, and Bacon. All of those guys have skills that MKG doesn't.
I've also argued this before, but my perception is that the team has played better defense without MKG in the past. I honestly don't think it's him directly, but I think that guys like Kemba and Nic sometimes relax a bit on that end knowing that MKG is there to erase some of their mistakes. When he doesn't play I think that they put more effort in.
