Westbrook efficiency numbers were terrible that is why eh was replacement level. I think last year even with Lebron hurt the Laker win the title if they had roleplayer like KCP and Caruos available. That's one title right there IMO that the mess from the Westbrook trade caused. KCP has more value for a title contender then Dlo, Jarred, and Malik - he's won two title as a top 5 player on two different squads and he was a big part of both. Dlo/Malik defense is terrible and gets exploited in the playoffs and Jarred couldn't even see minutes. Think it's so funny that somebody was making fun of the value of KCP last year till he played a huge role for Denver including smacking the lakers
Im pretty sure that Kuz,KCP and Trez efficiency numbers, were down without Lebron and AD too.Caruso leaving had nothing to do with Westbrook. It's a convenient excuse, to blame that trade on losing Alex. However we simply chose to go with Tucker. We had them both in the season prior any way, without a brief spurt before AD got hurt, that team wasn't any good either. Frankly..if D'Angelo had simply been average in the WCF...We'd have another ring too. TBH..Caruso and KCP couldn't do anything with Booker. They couldn't do anything with Murray in the bubble either. So..it's not some given, that they would have limited Murray in the WCF last season. Was KCP more valuable than Rondo in the bubble?
KCP was hurt that year against Booker and both did way better on Murray than anybody not named Lebron. At this levels margins matters not absolute. Denver barely stopped an injured Lebron last year but because they were able to take out every other Laker except Reaves and early in the series AD. This is something I think you are missing when it comes to how you value roleplayers and defense. If you can get away with not having to double or shade your defense even slightly as much it's the difference between a 3 pt that is makeable by a guy like Gordon to a likely miss. playoffs are just a different beast and Dlo game and mentality are not built for the playoffs Like who care about Trez? he hasn't worked out except when paired with Lou Williams in a PnR heavy scheme: he goes from an All-star caliber player to basically unplayable on the Clippers/Lakers/76ers outside fo that.
The fact remains that D'Angelo just fell off a cliff against Denver period. If he hadn't we win that series IMO. His numbers didn't just slip some, they dropped dramatically. The guy avg 6pts and 3 assists in that series. That's a lot to overcome from your starting PG, when Jokic and Murray also just outplayed Lebron and AD. (granted,Lebron wasn't at 100%) I don't believe KCP would have made any difference in that series at all. There is more than one way to win in this league, if your role players play their roles. D'Angelo just didn't step up to the challenge.
Lakers beat Denver in 6 with KCP: I would bet significant money on the result even with lebron's injury. You get another 3 point threat that is a 2 way go to pair with Lebron and you go from a clunky matchup where Vando can't play offense, Dlo cant play offense or defense into a finishing lineups of either Lebron/AD/Reaves/KCP with either Rui or DS to match up with basically the 6 man rotation that Denver had. You help both the offense and defense with that one move.
It wasn't all about KCP in the bubble, you keep sidestepping that. Rondo was just as important, Caruso played a role, Green didn't shoot well, but his defense was important. Then you had Javale and Dwight to boot. For some reason you keep trying to elevate KCP's importance for the chip run. He avg 10pts, 2 rebs and 1 assist in the bubble. And NO..it's definitely not as if, he put on some kind of all defensive team performance, in the bubble either. That's revisionist history. Different teams and different circumstances. If D'Angelo simply played to slightly below his averages, we still win that series IMO.
This is a misdirection: never stated that is was all KCP. Circumstances matter and you keep forgetting one important piece to this - KCP had the 4th most minutes on a second title team. S you have a dude who was the 3rd best player for the Lakers in teh Finals and huge minutes for the same role on a second title team which basically ran just a 6 man rotation!
Whether he played the minutes or not, it doesn't bump him to the most important player in the bubble after Lebron and AD. His numbers are what they were. Rondo for instance, avg 7pts 7 assists and 4 rebs in 20 minutes. He was very important too. He landed on a team that had a role for him, he fulfilled his role. D'Angelo didn't. It's not specifically that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is some kind of must have guy, in order to win a Championship.
Sorry but not sorry I just don't agree with you and you're arguments are not addressing my rationale. KCP is a perfect roleplayer for a championship run. He's not Lebron/AD but if you have a top duo in the league, he is an ideal plug and play guy into a 6 man playoff rotation. He give you both offense (3 pt shooting plus off the dribble, good athleticism, and very good POA and chase defense ta the guard position). He is no way perfect or a "star"; he is not a good playmaker, off the dribble creator or post defender but for a guard he's perfect for a title team. D'Angelo didn't and he won't IMO because he can't handle playoff physicality and has been bad on defense. And the proof is in the pudding here - top 5 rotation player in terms of stats and minutes played on two different title teams. You need star in your roles guys and he's a definite star in your role as a two way roleplayer
I can agree that D'Angelo didn't step up, I'm not in agreement that all we needed was KCP instead of D'Angelo either. Other than that, there are plenty different types of role players that can help you win a chip. Rondo, Brown, Porter Jr, Gordon, Caruso, Javale, Green etc. Don't sleep on Vanderbilt either..it's not all about offense. Caruso avg 24 min a game in the bubble. He shot 42% from the field and 28% from 3.
The conspiracy theories are going to be out in force over that time out but I don’t care. Finally one of those mistakes went for us instead of costing us a game.
Lakers have 4 out of 5 for a championship finishing lineup IMO with Ad Bron AR and Cam but I don't know about that 5th spot. Think it can be Max but he needs way more reps. Prince is heart attack watching DLo against good teams is watching a stroke Vando jumper makes me want to have a stroke and heart attack I think Gabe probably already had both
Can't play Vando and Cam in the fourth together: spacing is going to die Man Caruso would like nice thought with that lineup
LMAO it's already started People still wonder why the title in the bubble is so disrespected. The Lakers are simply following a script that will make the ratings. It's such a mess to show in primetime it's such a mess.. I ran to bet Lakers' victory over Orleans. Silver clearly wants LeBron to win the first season tournament. Eh, I could watch the dramatic overtime. But before our eyes a murder took place. yeah, only if there had been a foul, there would have been 9 seconds left and KD could have prepared better for the shot. don't talk nonsense - Lal just let him take the TM when they were without the ball.
Whatever with the conspiracy theory. Lebron got fouled on his last drive and refs didn't call it because its Shaq rules with Lebron
