Post#1946 » by German Athens » Wed Sep 9, 2020 3:45 pm
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Yes, you don't lose in 5-games without there being multiple issues. Bledsoe being a mental midget and the lack of off-the-dribble shooting outside of Middleton to name a few major ones. But way too many people refuse to dole out criticism of Giannis where it's warranted and ignoring that him shrinking in these series (Toronto and now this) makes it hard to properly evaluate this team going forward. I don't buy that this team is somehow incapable of winning a championship, whereas I'd feel much more comfortable in saying so had Giannis elevated his game, or hell, even just played up to his normal standards, and we still lost. Because identifying the problems are going to have lasting consequences (tweaks vs. complete overhaul), and it just becomes muddied if we can't even agree that Giannis' exploitable weaknesses have been a major part of the problem. It just depends on whether or not you have faith in him eventually corrected those weaknesses enough.[/quote]
Yeah, I certainly think he's still capable of being the best player on a championship team. I'm just finding it less and less likely that it would happen in Milwaukee. I think the biggest thing for Giannis might not even be skill development, but really just emphasizing different things and demanding a different play style. I think the most likely way that happens is if he plays with a championship coach or other great players that demand respect for what they've achieved in the playoffs.
AS for the Jordan and lebron comparisons. I don't think Giannis is the type of player that can elevate his scoring with a lack of talent like those two have done throughout their careers. When we throw nobodies out there, I dont' think to myself that giannis is definitely going to put up 40. With that said, I do think that if you surround him with the right complementary players and coaches he can be just as good as those two at their best. He's not as complete of a player as those two, and saying "Lebron wasn't .... when he was in cleveland the first time" I think misses much of the nuance between the two. Lebron was still a much more skilled offensive player than giannis when he was in Cleveland the first time. Even with Giannis' lack of skill, there is still a way to dominate the playoffs IMO - he's not as adaptable as those two - but, i still think it's possible.
I think demanding he set actual screens and not leaving too soon to get to the hoop would go a long way for his effectiveness in the post season. I also think taking the ball out of his hands, and demanding he play off ball more often would be good. Have him set pin down screens, and then quick turn into post position. Have him be the screener in pick and rolls. Have him play at the free throw line, where you actually feel a little better about his jumper there. Work on getting deep post position, and actually get a guy who can make that entry pass. Work on him coming right up into an offensive move as soon as he gets the ball. Get him to make cuts after he shows hard. I really don't think those are skill developments, maybe it's IQ development, but I think if you told him he has to set a screen - he would be able to do that.