Does KG Needs To Have A Low Post Scorer Beside Him? Or A Jump Shooter Like Bass?

[Snakehead]

Low post scorer.

Our offense was the best it has ever been when we had Shaq playing for us.

Not that a jump shooter can't work (it obviously has), I think the low post scorer is preferable though.

[connor]

KG needs to have a quality big man next to him (PF or C).  The rest can be worked out. 

That's the beauty of KG, he is versatile enough to play with most anyone, but our problem is, we haven't had a starting quality big to put next to him in a while.

Pretty much.

Having a jump shooter opens up KG's inside game, having KG would open up the other big man's post up game if he was a bigger post threat. An active cutter who could catch the interior pass would also be nice.

KG will make it work with almost anyone.

I think the low post scorer is the best option.

Yes KG will make it work best with almost anyone, but his game has been moving further away from the basket over the last few years. KG can use his inside game but he is much more comfortable with his mid range game away from the hoop.

Thats why a guy with a post-up game works better. Someone who can kick it back out to KG for a 15 footer. KG can still work his inside game when he is the big man on the floor, but I think by putting a low-post threat on the court with KG he will get much cleaner looks and conserve a lot more energy because he won't be relied on to bang as much down low.

[Chris]

KG needs to have a quality big man next to him (PF or C).  The rest can be worked out. 

That's the beauty of KG, he is versatile enough to play with most anyone, but our problem is, we haven't had a starting quality big to put next to him in a while.

Pretty much.

Having a jump shooter opens up KG's inside game, having KG would open up the other big man's post up game if he was a bigger post threat. An active cutter who could catch the interior pass would also be nice.

KG will make it work with almost anyone.

I think the low post scorer is the best option.

Yes KG will make it work best with almost anyone, but his game has been moving further away from the basket over the last few years. KG can use his inside game but he is much more comfortable with his mid range game away from the hoop.

Thats why a guy with a post-up game works better. Someone who can kick it back out to KG for a 15 footer. KG can still work his inside game when he is the big man on the floor, but I think by putting a low-post threat on the court with KG he will get much cleaner looks and conserve a lot more energy because he won't be relied on to bang as much down low.

Maybe a post up player works better.  But the problem is, there are very few good post up players in the league.  And if the choice comes down to an average post up player versus a very good perimeter big man, you need to take the best player.

This idea of zeroing in on specific skillsets is what kills so many teams and GMs.  Yes, players need to mesh together, but when it comes down to it, talent wins.  And when you have guys like KG, and Pierce, who can really play any style, then you really do need to just worry about talent and productivity first, and position later.

[connor]

KG needs to have a quality big man next to him (PF or C).  The rest can be worked out. 

That's the beauty of KG, he is versatile enough to play with most anyone, but our problem is, we haven't had a starting quality big to put next to him in a while.

Pretty much.

Having a jump shooter opens up KG's inside game, having KG would open up the other big man's post up game if he was a bigger post threat. An active cutter who could catch the interior pass would also be nice.

KG will make it work with almost anyone.

I think the low post scorer is the best option.

Yes KG will make it work best with almost anyone, but his game has been moving further away from the basket over the last few years. KG can use his inside game but he is much more comfortable with his mid range game away from the hoop.

Thats why a guy with a post-up game works better. Someone who can kick it back out to KG for a 15 footer. KG can still work his inside game when he is the big man on the floor, but I think by putting a low-post threat on the court with KG he will get much cleaner looks and conserve a lot more energy because he won't be relied on to bang as much down low.

Maybe a post up player works better.  But the problem is, there are very few good post up players in the league.  And if the choice comes down to an average post up player versus a very good perimeter big man, you need to take the best player.

This idea of zeroing in on specific skillsets is what kills so many teams and GMs.  Yes, players need to mesh together, but when it comes down to it, talent wins.  And when you have guys like KG, and Pierce, who can really play any style, then you really do need to just worry about talent and productivity first, and position later.

Of course you take the best player available. I was speaking in terms of all things being equal, what style of play would you most want to match with KG.

That being said I think there is something to be said for fit/style being a factor. I mean just look at how hard it has been for the Knick's to integrate Carmelo, Chandler and A'mare. They all have a boat load of talent but they don't fit quite right so its not working perfectly.

I would always be inclined to choose talent over fit or style, but in a case where its close or a toss up, I think you have to consider it because it does make a significant difference.

[kozlodoev]

Depends, do you want Garnett working inside, or chucking jump shots?

[Chris]

KG needs to have a quality big man next to him (PF or C).  The rest can be worked out. 

That's the beauty of KG, he is versatile enough to play with most anyone, but our problem is, we haven't had a starting quality big to put next to him in a while.

Pretty much.

Having a jump shooter opens up KG's inside game, having KG would open up the other big man's post up game if he was a bigger post threat. An active cutter who could catch the interior pass would also be nice.

KG will make it work with almost anyone.

I think the low post scorer is the best option.

Yes KG will make it work best with almost anyone, but his game has been moving further away from the basket over the last few years. KG can use his inside game but he is much more comfortable with his mid range game away from the hoop.

Thats why a guy with a post-up game works better. Someone who can kick it back out to KG for a 15 footer. KG can still work his inside game when he is the big man on the floor, but I think by putting a low-post threat on the court with KG he will get much cleaner looks and conserve a lot more energy because he won't be relied on to bang as much down low.

Maybe a post up player works better.  But the problem is, there are very few good post up players in the league.  And if the choice comes down to an average post up player versus a very good perimeter big man, you need to take the best player.

This idea of zeroing in on specific skillsets is what kills so many teams and GMs.  Yes, players need to mesh together, but when it comes down to it, talent wins.  And when you have guys like KG, and Pierce, who can really play any style, then you really do need to just worry about talent and productivity first, and position later.

Of course you take the best player available. I was speaking in terms of all things being equal, what style of play would you most want to match with KG.

That being said I think there is something to be said for fit/style being a factor. I mean just look at how hard it has been for the Knick's to integrate Carmelo, Chandler and A'mare. They all have a boat load of talent but they don't fit quite right so its not working perfectly.

I would always be inclined to choose talent over fit or style, but in a case where its close or a toss up, I think you have to consider it because it does make a significant difference.

But the point is, KG is not Amare (who is the real problem).

He can play with anyone, and play well. 

Honestly, I think the guy who needs the interior scorer the most isn't KG, but Rondo.  He is at his best when he has a finisher on the inside, who will keep the help defense honest, and make them pay for overcommiting.  THAT is why Shaq made this team so good.  He opened up the floor for Rondo.

[Evantime34]

I think who you fit next to him should be based on defense more than offense. We need to fit someone who can rebound and block shots next to KG.

In my opinion it's more important to find an athletic shot blocker to pair next to Sully, because KG won't be around forever.

[kozlodoev]

Honestly, I think the guy who needs the interior scorer the most isn't KG, but Rondo.  He is at his best when he has a finisher on the inside, who will keep the help defense honest, and make them pay for overcommiting.  THAT is why Shaq made this team so good.  He opened up the floor for Rondo.

You typically do this with a jump-shooting big, having an interior scorer means a big defender is camping in the paint at all times -- not optimal for a guard who wants to drive a lot.

[Snakehead]

Honestly, I think the guy who needs the interior scorer the most isn't KG, but Rondo.  He is at his best when he has a finisher on the inside, who will keep the help defense honest, and make them pay for overcommiting.  THAT is why Shaq made this team so good.  He opened up the floor for Rondo.

You typically do this with a jump-shooting big, having an interior scorer means a big defender is camping in the paint at all times -- not optimal for a guard who wants to drive a lot.

This isn't correct for Rondo.

If you have someone like Perk, sure the defender is just camping out.  But if you have a capable low post scorer, they become a dish/alley oop target off of penetration or ball movement when that post defender helps off his man.  And if he doesn't help, the lane to the rim is open. 

We saw this with Shaq on our team.  Our offense was the best it has been.

[kozlodoev]

Honestly, I think the guy who needs the interior scorer the most isn't KG, but Rondo.  He is at his best when he has a finisher on the inside, who will keep the help defense honest, and make them pay for overcommiting.  THAT is why Shaq made this team so good.  He opened up the floor for Rondo.

You typically do this with a jump-shooting big, having an interior scorer means a big defender is camping in the paint at all times -- not optimal for a guard who wants to drive a lot.

This isn't correct for Rondo.

If you have someone like Perk, sure the defender is just camping out.  But if you have a capable low post scorer, they become a dish/alley oop target off of penetration or ball movement when that post defender helps off his man.  And if he doesn't help, the lane to the rim is open. 

We saw this with Shaq on our team.  Our offense was the best it has been.

Anyone who can catch a ball and make an uncontested lay-in should be able to do this without necessarily being a capable low-post scorer.

A capable low-post scorer is someone who can go to work in the low post when given the ball (think Al Jefferson type).

I fail to follow the logic.

And yes, our offense was great with Shaq, but that was mostly because Shaq would get you low-post scoring on isolations and offensive rebounds -- and this really has little to do with Rondo.

edit: Well, looking at Shaq's 80% of assisted baskets about the rim, maybe this is not entirely true :-D

[Fafnir]

edit: Well, looking at Shaq's 80% of assisted baskets about the rim, maybe this is not entirely true :-D

Shaq would seal his man deep and would be given an assist as he layed it in. Alternatively he also was great at catching lobs and laying it in quick if his man fronted him. Both of those sort of baskets would lead to assists, but relied on Shaqs great hands, length, and strength.

[Snakehead]

Honestly, I think the guy who needs the interior scorer the most isn't KG, but Rondo.  He is at his best when he has a finisher on the inside, who will keep the help defense honest, and make them pay for overcommiting.  THAT is why Shaq made this team so good.  He opened up the floor for Rondo.

You typically do this with a jump-shooting big, having an interior scorer means a big defender is camping in the paint at all times -- not optimal for a guard who wants to drive a lot.

This isn't correct for Rondo.

If you have someone like Perk, sure the defender is just camping out.  But if you have a capable low post scorer, they become a dish/alley oop target off of penetration or ball movement when that post defender helps off his man.  And if he doesn't help, the lane to the rim is open. 

We saw this with Shaq on our team.  Our offense was the best it has been.

Anyone who can catch a ball and make an uncontested lay-in should be able to do this without necessarily being a capable low-post scorer.

A capable low-post scorer is someone who can go to work in the low post when given the ball (think Al Jefferson type).

I fail to follow the logic.

And yes, our offense was great with Shaq, but that was mostly because Shaq would get you low-post scoring on isolations and offensive rebounds -- and this really has little to do with Rondo.

edit: Well, looking at Shaq's 80% of assisted baskets about the rim, maybe this is not entirely true :-D

lol that post took a turn.

edit: Well, looking at Shaq's 80% of assisted baskets about the rim, maybe this is not entirely true :-D

Shaq would seal his man deep and would be given an assist as he layed it in. Alternatively he also was great at catching lobs and laying it in quick if his man fronted him. Both of those sort of baskets would lead to assists, but relied on Shaqs great hands, length, and strength.

Exactly.


To Kozlodoev's point, I mean someone like Al Jefferson would add a nice dynamic as far as being able to isolate and score that way on a post up (which Shaq was kind of past when he joined us) but even just a strong, catch and finish type big would be great for our offense (as evidenced by Shaq).  Our team passing is so good that a player like that can be very effective without as much of a iso post up game.

[T-LoDaniels]

edit: Well, looking at Shaq's 80% of assisted baskets about the rim, maybe this is not entirely true :-D

Shaq would seal his man deep and would be given an assist as he layed it in. Alternatively he also was great at catching lobs and laying it in quick if his man fronted him. Both of those sort of baskets would lead to assists, but relied on Shaqs great hands, length, and strength.

This exactly. I think an active above-the-rim big man who can roll hard to the basket and finish well is the best partner for KG and Rondo. Basically, a rich man's Chris Wilcox.

[Chris]

edit: Well, looking at Shaq's 80% of assisted baskets about the rim, maybe this is not entirely true :-D

Shaq would seal his man deep and would be given an assist as he layed it in. Alternatively he also was great at catching lobs and laying it in quick if his man fronted him. Both of those sort of baskets would lead to assists, but relied on Shaqs great hands, length, and strength.

This exactly. I think an active above-the-rim big man who can roll hard to the basket and finish well is the best partner for KG and Rondo. Basically, a rich man's Chris Wilcox.

Its not even about being above the rim.  It is about being able to roll to the basket, catch, and finish.

You know who a rich man's Chris Wilcox is?  Gortat.  Great pick and roll big man, who knows how to finish at the basket, and is a decent defender and rebounder.

[connor]

But the point is, KG is not Amare (who is the real problem).

He can play with anyone, and play well. 

Honestly, I think the guy who needs the interior scorer the most isn't KG, but Rondo.  He is at his best when he has a finisher on the inside, who will keep the help defense honest, and make them pay for overcommiting.  THAT is why Shaq made this team so good.  He opened up the floor for Rondo.

No the point was who is better to pair with KG a low post scorer or a jump shooter, and the answer is low post scorer. Its not about whether KG can play with anyone or whether he needs a certain type of player next to him to be effective or even what the Celtics need most. Its who will work best next to KG and its a low post scorer.

It will open up the mid range game for KG more by anchoring a big to the middle and allowing him to shoot from the outside, help him conserve energy by not having to play with his back to the basket just to change things up, and it will allow KG to not always have to play the Center position.

No KG is not A'mare, I was speaking generally about team construction and that when you are bringing in guys its not all about talent. Yes its mostly about talent but you need to consider the style of play otherwise you can end up with a guy like A'mare on your squad who has the talent but just doesn't fit in.

I agree that Rondo would definitely benefit from having a big who can score down low so he has a guy to dish to off penetration (since KG has a tendency to play further out than most centers sometimes when rondo drives and gets stopped he has to kick it back out and they don't make defense pay for rotating over).