Game #4: MAGIC @ LAC (2-1) Tuesday 10/31 7:30 PM—BALLY

esqtvd · Post #41 » by **esqtvd** » Wed Nov 1, 2023 5:47 am

Clemenza wrote:
nickhx2 wrote:haven't done a longform version of my thoughts on it yet but paul george looks transformed from last year.

gone are his ill-fated drives to the basket. instead he's just getting into spots better, taking better shots, and dribbling and passing just enough to do his thing. he's SO much more efficient right now.

Having Russ at the start of the season not to mention how well he's playing takes a huge load off PG. Remember how he's been trying to run the point and turning it over for the past two seasons. Now its just getting to his spots, making shots, and focusing on defense.

Yes, many Mann fan-bois were outraged when Mann was demoted from the starting lineup as the so-called point guard, but the fact is that Kawhi and esp PG were exhausted busting their ass covering for him. So they pushed to sign Westbrook.

Now T-Mann has lost his starting job again as the so-called power forward. Oh, well.

Vae Victus · Post #42 » by **Vae Victus** » Wed Nov 1, 2023 5:51 am

Clemenza wrote:
nickhx2 wrote:haven't done a longform version of my thoughts on it yet but paul george looks transformed from last year.

gone are his ill-fated drives to the basket. instead he's just getting into spots better, taking better shots, and dribbling and passing just enough to do his thing. he's SO much more efficient right now.

Having Russ at the start of the season not to mention how well he's playing takes a huge load off PG. Remember how he's been trying to run the point and turning it over for the past two seasons. Now its just getting to his spots, making shots, and focusing on defense.

Yea this point cant be understated. PG13 is straight up not a facilitator/playmaker, when put in the role of initiating offense, it puts too much responsibility in his hands that he isnt optimally suited for. Being a secondary facilitator who attacks off of disruption of the main playmaker is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay easier role. Now PG13 focuses on scoring efficiently and defense and he'll be back to his all NBA self, health permitting.

Same can be said for Kawhi, he shouldnt be the point of attack, but instead should focus on finishing. Always trying to dribble down and make plays off ISOs is grueling work, hence why both he and PG13 keep breaking down. If Harden/Westy both take on the primary facilitator role all 48 mins, it means both Kawhi and PG13 can focus on their best roles, which is finishing and defense. Harden and Westy should be staggered so that one of them is always on the floor, and have their overlap be as minimal as possible. Ideally both would play around 30 mins a game with only about 12 mins of overlap, where Harden plays SG/off ball.