True, but at least Smart could have been on him for they crucial final possessions instead of AR and Jake, maybe he gets a stop one of the times instead of doing this
Smart is essential to this team. Without him, our defense sucks, everyone seems out of position, there is no working scheme. I agree, if we keep Smart, we need another POA defender. If we could find another defensive specialist who was still a threat to score, it would make us very tough to beat.
I vote Marky Mark invests 1M or whatever it takes to gather the most elite small group of player skills coaches for strength, conditioning and skills training defense and offense for private clinics through this summer to supercharge development on Thiero, Bufkin, Manon and Bronny (if still here). Manon 5-10lbs stronger could be a beast on D ... and Shirley with someone better than Lethal Shooter could become passable from deep. Bronny another 5-8lbs as he starts "getting ready" to gear up in a couple more years for his prime man musculature (genes from Pops doesn't suck) could be unmovable and make plays all over the floor both sides of the ball with that explosive strength and athleticism and further improved skills. Bufkin 5-10 more lbs and defense optimization (all these guys) with all the "trick methods" .. resistance bands, whatever the H is S.O.T.A. ..... looks like he has the athleticism and coordination to be better than average on D and we know he already has nice skills on offense to polish further. Thiero learning from the best of the best player development coaches can be our OG. He's got the tools and skills and ambidexterity from all the years in HS playing PG and still directing the offense after he grew out of the formal position. Reports were he still set the offense up a lot. Another 5-10lbs souped up physically Adou Thiero would be ...... tldr version .... Walter pays big bucks for best of the best trainers for what we need to start developing the H of his new Lakers "farm system"... the players already in house. While Tony Bennett does the same level of "great" ... scouting NEW talent for the Lakers.
From sporting experience, almost any decent level coach who has a good grasp of fundamentals can help you improve. Less relies on the quality of the coaches (although it's important) and more relies on the hunger and desire of the individual. Sure talent comes into it, no matter how hard you work, an average player can't become an all time great. BUT, an average player can become a rotation player through hard, deliberate practice. The deliberate practice part is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. If Manon, Bufkin, Bronny and Adou want a good career, they should be working their a** off with good coaches. Learning fundamentals, improving their IQ, working on their bodies, recovery, mental fortitude etc. One part where I think quality really matters is in health. Good doctors, physio's, specialists are really critical in keeping people healthy. I've worked with some of the best and it's a night and day difference to average ones. Phoenix had a great staff here, they would work on body alignment and help players have their healthiest seasons, players like Amare, Nash, Grant all benefitted greatly from that staff. We should invest here.
