Huh, Porzingis better offensively than I thought. Defensively I wonder. Not agile enough to guard a a lot of wings, and not strong enough to guard a lot of centers. Better rebounder than Aldridge. interesting to see that Aldridge averaged almost 40 minutes a game that season.
KP may not be ideal, but he would balance out Dame so much better and I'll take the added length any day. If he could get close to the unicorn Knick version, that would be a bonus. Can't imagine he wouldn't be better with Dame vs Doncic.
if he could get to the NY version of himself, he wouldn't be available. On paper, he's a great fit next to luka. it should give you pause that Dallas wants to get rid of him
his drop off has been a function of his health and the game changing. teams are attacking him like he's kanter.
I think Dallas would like to like rid of him for the same reasons that Portland should want to get rid of CJ. Those being that he's considerably overpaid compared to his impact. He's being paid like an all-star, but his talent is quite a bit less than that. And his size limits his versatility, in a manner opposite of CJ's. And unlike CJ, KP has the added drag of an extensive injury history. I want CJ gone but I wouldn't trade him for KP. Similar talent for the same high cost wouldn't alter Portland's trajectory in any significant fashion
By most statistical measures, KP had better seasons in Dallas than in NY. I think in NY, he just got a whole lot more hype.
Portland's reason for trading CJ is because of his fit with Dame is not as synergistic as we wanted (as in the pairing is not greater than than the sum of the individual parts). There is a lot of duplication with the two and their skills don't make up for each other's weaknesses. That, and having Powell makes moving CJ easier since we can try to build the roster to fit Dame better and actually address other holes. It has nothing to do with underperforming his contract-- think that's more your opinion.
interesting. the playoffs have definitely opened our eyes. Also, Dame dropping 60 on them last year while he relentlessly attacked KP in the P&R gave me pause about his viability as a playoff player. I'm tired of getting guys we have to hide on defense. look at how he's killing Porzingis. can't play dame in drop coverage, and if Porzingis came out to trap, dame drove right around him. With the way guards are shooting off the dribble now on pullups, think KP's utility is going to get highly minimized.
the guy had his best year of his career and is getting killed here. the 6 game playoffs was a disaster, no doubt, but there's not too many guys who can put up 23/5/4 on 46% FG, and 41% from 3 (on 9 attempts) in the league. I think he's a very clear top 30-35 player in the league and he's going to be the 30th highest paid player in the league (lower depending on how other extensions go). I think his contract is commensurate with his production. Porzingis is the paid more than CJ and has more remaining on his deal.
The stats look great until you watch him play. I just honestly detest his style of basketball. Dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble and then jack up a contested fadeaway.
there's not many guys who get CJ's usage and FGA while playing with a teammate that draws the defensive attention Dame does CJ was 23rd in scoring but 14th in FGA's. Those rankings should come close to balance, not have a -9 differential. Dame was +5 they both have 3 years left and Porzingas will make a 50K more a year. So, he makes 0.15% more than CJ. If you were making 50K a year, that would be a co-worker making $75 more a year. but again, I'll point out I said I wouldn't trade CJ for KP. It wouldn't accomplish anything. It would just continue to lock up too much cap flexibility for too little talent
DJJ for Tyus Jones. Portland needs a backup point guard and Memphis needs a wing defender. Tyus also makes 2 million less.
Whatever happens, I want players added that are playing as hard as the Bucks/Nets are going at it in Game #4. Damn@ And the refs are letting them play. Lots of hustle, players diving all over the place and scrapping for loose balls.
If we get D'antoni I could definitely see us bringing in PJ Tucker. His switches with Roco and Collins (knock on wood for health) could be really great here.
But how much of that is a product of our system? If there isn't a good trade package available for CJ, I'm cool with getting a better coach that runs a better offense and seeing how C.J. plays in that and waiting until the deadline to possibly get something better.
