Cheeks wants Korver to be More than Just a "Shooter" <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The first time he saw Kyle Korver play this summer, 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks marveled at the quickness of his release and his ability to shoot from beyond the three-point line. However, since that game at the end of the Sixers' free-agent minicamp in August, Cheeks has decided that Korver must be able to do more than park himself behind the arc and pull the trigger. "We want him to try to put the ball on the floor a little bit more, break down the defense and get to the foul line more, not just to stand out there and shoot three-point shots," Cheeks said yesterday after the Sixers' practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "As the ball swings to him, certainly he's free to shoot the ball because he's a guy who can shoot the ball extremely well. But we want him to catch the ball and maybe break down the defense a little more." Korver said Cheeks has "talked to me about that every day." "Really, it's changing the mind-set more than anything else," Korver said. "I'm used to running right to the three-point line; that's what I was encouraged to do last year. Not that I don't want to do that anymore - I feel that's one of my strengths, so I don't want to totally get away from that. "But also, at the same time, he wants me to be more complete, I guess, kind of change up the scouting report a little bit - pump-fake and drive it some, just to do more things like that." Cheeks' plan could be considered a bit risky. Korver, in only his second NBA season, established a franchise record last year with 226 three-point baskets, a figure that tied him for the league lead with Quentin Richardson, then of the Phoenix Suns and now with the New York Knicks</div> link:http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/12870813.htm
I think he somewhat already established himself as more than just a "shooter" last season. His defense improved dramatically, he also became a hustle player but his most notable improvment was his rebounding. And thus far, judging from the preseason games his passing/ball handling got better. In his first game he dished out 6 assists and so far he is averaging 7 RPG. So Kyle continues to improve. I really hope he improved on his defense over anything because he is still vulnerable in that sense despite his imporvments.
If Kyle wants to be starting he needs to improve his defense some more, last year guys at the SF would always beat him off of pure athleticsm meaning he gave up easy rebounds and got blown by a lot also. We can't really ask him to jump higher or anything but agility and speed can be improved.
It is great for me to here Cheeks say that it is such a different view compared to that which JO provided when he talked about Korver. O’Brien ruined in my opinion he embraced the fact that Korver was a shooter, and embraced him jacking up a long range shot every time he got the ball, hopefully Cheeks can undo Jim’s brain washing of Korver, and have Korver focus on being more of a overall player. As much as we can argue Korver improved his defense, and makes hustle plays, etc at the end of the day he is viewed as a shooter in the mind of any NBA fan outside the 76ers fan base. Cheeks can help him change that if KK chooses to accept Cheeks coaching, and mentoring. Good move by Cheeks on this.
Not to mention, Korver has bulked up during the offseason and plans on being more aggressive according to Maurice Cheeks in today's interview which was on NBATV. If Korver wants to be more of threat on offense especially he is going to need to improve his ball handling skills over anything or at least try to pump fake. He is a catch & shoot player and almost everybody understands that, so why doesn't he ever use a pump fake? If used a pump fake every now and then it would be almost as effective as a Wade & Shaq pick and roll or a Duncan backboard a shot. However, the ball handling must improve over anything because if or more like when they start trapping him he is done.
I love Cheeks. He's challenging his players. He wants AI to lead the league in assists and Korver to complete his offensive game. He's really doing things right in Philly.. It's just too bad I don't like his son..
