Nalod wrote:holfresh wrote:fishmike wrote:holfresh wrote:Nalod wrote:holfresh wrote:KP and Willy just got mauled last night..Not just by Gobert but by his back up too...Not a good time for this thread because no one will hold them accountable...
After seeing KP and Gobert hug after the game, Breen said there goes two of the "best young bigs" in the league..It's like he didn't see the game..JVG probably gagged on that one..He was telling it like it is all game about how bad our bigs can't defend..Gobert outplayed KP but he isn't consider one of the best young bigs...He is a really good interior defender...But let's continue to deflect and say it's Melo, Rose and the triangle...
We can't defend for the nth time and won't next year either with our heads in the sand...
Any thought that the kids can improve their defense?
Sure..I think Willy can really improve because he has the frame to bulk up...KP will struggle, he just doesn't have the frame for strength needed to fight off bigs for 82 game and draw the best defenders(team post Melo)..So can they really play together??..It's a long shot to me...But the current narrative is trying to re-frame the debate by suggesting the issue is Melo and Rose..The debate is whether or not we can rebuild around these two players playing the same position...
Well KP and Willy give you hope and have upside. They are 21/22 respectively. However we know that Melo no longer has a position in the NBA. He cant defend 3s or 4 and holds the ball. Rose cant defend 1s or 2s and over dribbles. Rose has not been a good player for a few years. Neither has Melo. Its time to move on from vets who think they are better than the are and dont play team ball. Tough to understand for you but many understand this.
The Melo comments are stupid because he is the best 4 defender on the roster and still the best scorer on the team by far...So it should be an indicative measure of exactly where we re with the guys you want to build around...Rose in a PnR situation next year will be a borderline all star..
But you are all missing Rose's talent...Rose is still trying to figure out his new role post knee surgery..He is trying to play slower and more methodical..He needs a good coach..Some one must have told him about the fouls can can draw and he made the adjustment the last few weeks and getting to the line..A better coach will work with his passing for next year...Dumb organization we support...We will lose rose for nothing and he will star next year elsewhere, but that's par for the course isn't it...
I think you are looking at things in the near moment. Yes, melo is our best player but he is unable to play and defend the 4 for a full game and a season. Maybe unwilling, but I don't know.
He is an elite shooter and can pass, but that is inconsistent for what ever reason. At 33 he is likely to not improve in areas he is deficient.
What you say about KP is "does not have the frame" suggests he won't fill out. This has been addressed where Knicks said they think he is wide in the hips, and a strong core that he will get stronger.
What I can't say is "for sure". What I can't say is when.
SO perhaps you see things in the current context where team construction is about the next day, next game, next week, next month and even next season, and the seasons after that.
In what context is Melo a better defender at the 4 than KP? Some people see what they want to see, that doesn't mean what they see is real. How do you compare defense by position? What data is out there? I am asking because I don't know. I looked at 82games.com which Bonn1997 pointed out earlier to me.
KP holds his opponent PFs to 17.7 points PER48 http://www.82games.com/1617/16NYK12.HTM
Melo holds opponent PFs to 19.1 points PER48 http://www.82games.com/1617/16NYK11.HTM
I would say KP is the better defender
When Playing the 4
Melo is +4.6
KP is + 2.2
On this Melo is better
Melo's Win% playing PF - 35%
KP's win% playing PF - 41%
No contest
Team does better with KP on court and team does better with Melo off court
Also if you compare KP's contributions as PF and as Center - he clearly does much better playing PF
I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only try to make them think - Socrates