Basketball is funny, you can lose your 3rd and 4th best scorers and become a much better offensive team. This is the most connected and cohesive we've seen an offensive unit since the 54 win team a decade ago. All the pieces seem to have fallen into place around Brunson and Randle's skillsets, which is heavy on the isolation and ball pounding. Everyone else is moving, is cutting, the ball is flipping around, we are actually running the break way more. And by adding a true shutdown player, the rest of our defenders have slid into place and we are a really, really good defensive team. I think there is still some concern about our ability to get buckets when a game gets really tight in a playoff atmosphere, only time will tell how that goes, but this is the closest thing to an elite-functioning basketball team we've had in a decade. I think we have had spurts of elite level defense where everyone is connected, mainly the 2020 team, but we haven't seen something like this on both ends in forever. They are playing in such a way that is sustainable, scalable by adding a couple more pieces, and truly looks like we are one piece away. Even with the success last year it was quirky, we somehow had a top 5 offense while being a piss poor shooting team due to offensive rebounding. That's was never a formula that is sustainable.
I'm starting to wonder myself how much of this newfound offensive chemistry with the starters is not simply just adding OG, but the combination of OG, DDV, and most importantly iHart. iHart is an elite connector at the Center position. Areas where Mitch is a complete zero. The combination of iHart and DDV gives us two elite connectors and obviously OG and his "never force anything" mindset fits wonderfully next to the rest of the guys.
The bench is really coming together, I didn't see this happening at all. Their defense is drool-worthy when Miles - Grimes - Hart- OG are out there. If Miles and Grimes can grow into reliable scorers, which they are showing they can possibly do, we might not want to touch that unit. They seem to be figuring out how to play with each other, letting Hart initiate the break and letting Grimes and Miles get going off his kickouts. I think giving OG some more time with those guys has helped as well, because their defense is insane and they get many break opportunities.
I still think we need an upgrade to get to championship level, but I'm not sure we need to make that move right this second. Just like we didn't need to rush into trading guys like RJ and Quick, letting this team naturally grow with those guys was the right move for the past two years. Not sure a big trade is necessary right now, unless the FO really thinks we can make a title push this year. Tough call, I'm just enjoying this ride.