If we can get to finals, and then compete well with Warriors, win or lose, no changes will be warranted.
If we get to the finals but get blown out by Warriors, and have no effective way to defend KD, then Danny has to consider trading for a KD defender. Is that Kawhi? I don’t know. Maybe others can tell us how he matches up defending KD. We know his history guarding Lebron. What about KD?
I thought Jaylen did decently guarding Durant in the few games he has guarded him. And his defense has only gotten better.
Jaylen had 22 and 20 in two games against GS this season. He was so good that Draymond Green was quoted saying Brown deserved a reserve spot in the All-Star game. At that time, it sounded a bit over the top.
There was a play during one of those games that I still remember because it was so astounding. Durant took one of his standard jab step jumpers, and Jaylen cleanly blocked the shot. I've never seen anyone else ever do that to him. Not Kawhi, not LeBron, not anyone.
It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly unfazed Jaylen Brown is. I mean, he's 21 playing on the biggest stage against the players he idolized as a kid, the best in the world, and he's not the slightest bit in awe of them. Its almost workmanlike.
I remember when Jaylen blocked Durant's shot and I have never seen another player do that either! I love Jayson Tatum and I love how Rozier has stepped up, but I feel like Jaylen has been flying under the radar some as far as national recognition.
What he has done in only his second season to me has been incredible. The main knock against him coming out of college was 1. His jump shot and 2. His decision making. No one could deny his athleticism and defensive potential based on his athleticism, but they questioned his offensive ability, shooting and decision making. Concerning his shooting, the improvements he has made since graduating from college are unbelievable. Guys like the Greek Freak and Ben Simmons (although he has been in the league for less time) still have not developed their shot like Jaylen Brown already has. In my opinion, they should be ashamed! Ben Simmons was even quoted recently as saying he wouldn't alter his shooting form much. Jaylen has shown an incredible work ethic and his shot is looking very good. His decision making has vastly improved as well and he is already a very good defender. I believe his upside is tremendous as is Jayson Tatum's.
This leads to my last point. I believe we are in a very similar position to Golden State when they drafted Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. I remember thinking Golden State was crazy at the time when Minnesota was said to be offering Kevin Love for Klay Thompson and Golden State was not interested. At the time I thought that was the missing piece Golden State needed as Kevin Love was a bigger name at that time. Fast forward to what we know now about Klay Thompson and that was one of the shrewdest non moves the Warriors could have made. They had confidence in players they drafted, kept them at lower salaries and brought in some key free agents to compliment them (Iguadola and Durant) and now a player like Klay has bought in to the Golden State way and wants to resign, even potentially at a lower than market rate.
I believe we are in position to do the same with Smart, Rozier, Brown and Tatum when they become restricted free agents. We are building a winning culture that I believe will make it hard for these players to want to leave. We have invested in them, developed them and are adding key players around them, i.e. Kyrie and Hayward. The future is bright!!!!