fishmike wrote:think about setting a player up for success. KP isnt soft but he's not a rugged player. The scouting report is to keep a body on him and wear him down. Thats because it works. KP is not a great rebounder. KP is bad at setting picks, part of that is his body type as well. He protects the rim for sure.
Knicks need a rugged player next to him. At center KP is average or below in too many key areas. At PF he's a unicorn.
Sure we will go small at times and when teams run out these line ups full of 6-7 guys then yea... KP at center makes a ton of sense. He's really just a 4 vs. a 3.
KP is good guarding guys who score from outside. KP is good guarding guys who score from inside. KP struggles more to cover guys who score from both, cause really everyone does. Thats what makes them versatile scorers. This is also part of his maturation. His defensive skills are still raw despite how effective he is. He still doesnt hedge his space well at all. He either overcommits to helping leaving his cover for an open 3 or he's too far out to help. That will also come with time. The effort is there.
KP needs to be a primary 4. Thats where his value is special. Not banging with the lunkheads inside. Same way with Frank for that matter playing the 1 vs. 2.
Basically we need an "oak"!!! Tough slow guy with limited offensive skills, Slow feet, quick mouth, avg athletic ability but superior body control, not a good handle, good rebounder, good hand checker, will foul out every game, but they fear him...........
Actually yes, we need "Donkey Dale"!!! or Kendra. We need what Indiana did, pair Smits with big rugged MOFO's. Actually the Davis twins were very Oak.
I know where GS has gone but its not for all teams to do this. SAS and Thunder have used big thick dudes for centers for some time. Timmy had some big dudes and Adams for the thunder has worked well. kanter is a better offensive player than them. Draymond/Rodman types are rare and hard to draft.
This new fangled way is not so new. Detroit used a shorter Ben Wallace at center and Rasheed fired away threes. A chip and two trips to finals!!
Philly had right idea if Norlens was commited to defense. Either Oka4 or Embiid on the offensive end.
Knicks don't have that rugged guy. I suppose the hope was Noel would be that guy. He is that guy. Willy is not. KOQ is a good back up and good passer.