He's going to be really good for us off the bench. For a pure shooter, he's really not afraid to take it inside and finish around the basket.
way too early, but i'm wondering what kennard's market will be this summer. i've been preaching using all resources to get defensive guys who can finish plays, but the limited sample here makes me see some real value in having him on the team. and finding someone who can do these things offensively actually isn't that easy. i don't think anyone will come with a full mle offer for him, but then again, klay thompson got over that less than two years ago, and this version of kennard is probably better than that version of thompson (though maybe it wasn't clear at that point). if he continues being this solid, i'd be open to using some of the space to keep him, but hoping to limit it to more than the tpmle but less than the mle. ideally, he'd be the room exception signing after we use the rest of our space in other ways.
I feel like he should be getting 6-7 three pt shots per game but teams know he's the only lethal shooter on the Lakers so they just stick onto him like glue and force the other role players to shoot the ball instead. He's too good to only be getting 3 3PA per game. Reaves had a few wide open passes to him but forced up some pretty unnecessary shots.
i also think kennard's shooting percentage is partly a result of judicious attempts (though he has hit a couple under extreme duress already). contrast it with klay, who is just ready to jack at all times. and yeah, last night really wasn't one of reaves's best games. by a longshot.
I like that Klay shoots all the time, he isn't far off 40% on 8 attempts on a team full of junk. I wish Kennard just let it fly more, he is currently the better player for sure.
Regarding his defense, watching the last couple of games, it's apparent his high bball IQ carries to the defensive side as well. He puts in the effort and doesn't miss the basics of being off in rotation. (ie Rui, Ayton) For the most part, he's held his ground. I could see why he could be targeted and switched in ISO situations, but honestly I never felt that's why you lose games. It's mostly laziness and missed assignments that lead to bad team defense. I want him back next season.
in the regular season, yes. in the playoffs, teams just hunt for mismatches relentlessly. like, the bulls won a bunch of rings with kerr/paxson types playing pretty big roles, but i'm not sure if that's possible today.
I think it is "possible" today, but not easy to accomplish. The Bulls had players like Kerr, Paxson and Hodges who were sharpshooters that were somewhat of a defensive weakness. But, they also had on the other side three all time great defenders in Jordan, Pippen and Rodman. Not to mention Jordan's otherworldly ability to close out games.
I think that holds true mostly for starters and maybe the 6th/7th man off the bench. Luke will be fine for his limited minutes in the playoffs. And if he gets hot, no amount of points given will offset the 3 bombs he'll hit on the other side.
