Unless the Spurs capture #1
Kawhi has played 40 minutes in games that matter. Simmons limited to 8. In those games, Kawhi sitting makes a significant impact. Obviously he's not the epicenter of what we do offensively, nor is he on an island defensively, but he's the most impactful player on both ends. This team is incredibly deep, and we have a few guys who can play at the end of the bench that may truly be the next generation Spurs. We are lucky that against the vast majority of teams, they are good enough to come in and not let the compe iveness and the scoring go to .
Still this should not go against him as an MVP candidate. I remember last season MVP Curry and Harden were neck in neck in the MVP race, followed up very closely by Westbrook. Westbrook's team was decimated and underwent significant personnel changes midseason. Harden's team was ok, but they suffered injuries to many of their big men and Harden was unquestionably carrying that team at times. MVP Curry was sensational but that was b4 the championship and the heights he's reached this season. MVP Curry still won it despite the other two dudes carrying worse rosters.
So, Kawhi is in a terrific team, but he's still the best player in that team. The only knock on him is the astronomical level at which MVP Curry is shooting and carrying his team this season.
Ultimately it'll come down to the Spurs vs Warriors matchups. Especially since 3 of them are towards the end of the season. If Kawhi has a great performance he can steal the award like he did with the DPOY award when he had a 7 steal game against the Warriors.
Obviously other factors come into play as well, will both teams still be as dominant? Will either suffer an injury? Will both maintain or even improve their play?
Which gives me hope for our young players. They are already showing promise and are not yet the kind of guys they can be in two or three years if we keep them.
Yes, Curry is far better this year than last year. That's the biggest reason for the Warriors' gaudy record.
I still wonder if his shooting is just some fluke hot streak or if he really can keep this up. The more of the season that passes, the more that the latter is true.
Actually, Curry is not having any better season this year than last. Last season, he took 1341 shots and 646 3 pt shots. This season, he is pace to shoot 1600 shots. 874 3pt shots. Kawhi on the other hand will take only 1196 shots and 310 3 pt shots.
Defense on the other hand is all Kawhi. Curry doesn't play defense, he shoots.
Curry is doing the Kobe act. Score and score some more. Even if I have to chuck up a lot of shots.
Yeah Kawhi's on and off-court numbers are close because spurs bench beats up other teams bench. Kawhi shouldn't be knocked or lauded because the Spurs bench is really good.
It does make it look like draymond doesn't really belong in the conversation, but even that is still very subjective based on who the opponents were.
Why make a claim and then show stats that do nothing to support that claim?
Curry last year: 23.8 ppg on 63.8 TS%
Curry this year: 29.9 ppg on 67.7 TS%
And "chucking up a lot of shots" is a good thing when you're the most efficient scorer in the NBA (which Curry is).
Teams don't get enough credit. Players get credit for how well the team does instead of their individual performances on defense/offense and their ability/willingness to adapt to a new system.
Duncan was on another level those years when he was carrying the team, 02-03 Tim is as good as I have ever seen or near it. I remember he would light up teams in the playoffs those years for 40 and 20 stat lines and it was nothing.Unfortunately, Duncan's 2003 dominance is forgotten due to playing in the least popular era of NBA basketball in league history, tbh..when he was carrying teams with young Parker/Ginobili and role players, nobody outside of hardcore NBA fans was watching
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
