shrink wrote:minimus wrote:shrink wrote:We have seen how players that don’t get covered at the line hurt us offensively, when defenders stay back and remove lanes to the hoop. This is especially important from our PF, because it allows opponents to play a good big who doesn’t have range to defend to the perimeter. We simply can’t neuter the biggest advantage KAT’s gives us - mismatches - by creating options for opposing coaches. Our PF needs to be a credible three point shooter, and Gordon is not.
This statement is not accurate, because it is incomplete. Our PF needs to be a dynamic player in offense. He either should be able to shoot 3s or slash/finish at rim/pass/rebound.
I think we’ll just have to disagree.
We had slashers who couldn’t hit three’s at the beginning of last season. Heck, Wiggins is a better three point shooter and an even more athletic slasher - and both have inadequate handles. But we saw without the three point shooting, from him and others, the defenses just packed down after two weeks, and got rid of his lanes to the basket.
I think he needs to shoot three’s, and be able to run. A perfect compliment would be able to defend, and that’s what we should search for. I want to see more games where Rudy Gobert gets pulled out to defend to the three point line, because both our PF and C can shoot three’s.
Who were those slashers? RoCo who can't dribble and pass? Graham? Teague? Napier? Just to be clear, to make Wiggins efficient as ballhandler we had to run that high pnr, so he could literally play 3x3 basketball and be able to finish at rim. We didn't have even one above average slasher. And for many years we don't have PF who can finish at rim and run in transition. Dieng, Gibson, Bjelica, Saric, RoCo/Graham. Can we finally have a PF who can catch alley oops and finish?
If we speak about Wiggins and Gordon roles I agree that Gordon should not be primary ballhandler nor scorer. Wiggins contract suggests that Andrew should be a main option at least in offense, while he is not. Gordon at 18mil and 16mil is a complimentary player, and I'm fine with it.
Having a lineup where all five players are shooting well from 3pt is a luxury and not always necessary for championship. See MIA example, Butler is one of the worst shooters in NBA, but Spoelstra played him and Bam (complete non shooter from 3pt) together. The context, system matters. Jae Crowder was shooting 29% from 3pt line with MEM, but 44% with MIA.