I mean they were the 5th best offense this year and the 5th best defense.
You need both in the modern NBA.
Probably. But even then, Kawhi is the only guy who can consistently score on that team. Others are just role players who embraced their roles.
That's really not true, he's the only consistent isolation player. They have plenty of shooters, transition players, and passers.
Spot up shooters are role players. Gasol is a role player at this point and can no longer score consistently. So is Ibaka. VanFleet is an Eddie House type spark off the bench, another role player. They can shoot, yes. But they don't consistently score.
Danny Green was cold as ice until he woke up in the finals.
I don't know why being a called a role player is a taboo on this forum or anywhere in general. Teams don't necessarily need superstars or all-stars for that matter as help. They need someone who will play within their role and execute the system offense/defense to perfection.
It isn't a taboo, but you are just wrong about Siakam and Lowry, they aren't role players. Siamkam is probably looking at an all-star appearance next year, and Lowry already has been an all-star.
from espn
"Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam combined for 1,187 points this postseason, tied with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen for 2nd-most by a duo in a single postseason in NBA history. Only LeBron James and Dwyane Wade had more in 2012 (1,222)."
These guys aren't Tony Allen and Kendrick Perkins.
Not saying they are just role players, but are you really taking these guys over the likes of Harden, Kyrie, Damian, Westbrook or even prior to this Finals series?
Lowry was considered in as a lower tier all-star and Siakam as just a young solid player. He could leap as an All-Star next year but he's not exactly a superstar either (at least not yet).
No one said they were superstars!?!??! Who ever said that?
So now you are saying that they 'aren't' role players. Ok well we can all agree on that then lol...
Glue guys are still role players. But a very good ones. Again, why do people take the term as an insult or means to degrade a player?
Dude you just changed your mind and said they aren't role players, but now they are 'glue guys'?
man alive Siakam and Lowry are not role players / glue guys. They are all stars (soon to be all stars) and high level starters on an NBA championship team. That completely ISN'T the definition of "glue guy".
Would you call them championship caliber starters back with Derozan?
I wouldn't last year. But that is last year, this is this year. So what?
Lowry played poorly in last year's playoffs, in this year's he excelled. Siakam was off the charts the whole playoffs.
Players improve. Are you trying to say Siakam is still a role player now because he was a role player last year?
And btw, I don't have to 'call' them championship caliber, they are champions. It is a fact.