One thing about last night that told me that Kawhi is far better than DeRozan, in terms of fit and style, was timeliness.
DeRozan, yes, was a +25 points per game scorer, and did it in spectacular fashion through many nights, however, it is the impact of each possession, and time and score.
This doesn't even have to be numbers based, because it heavily impacts the complexion of a game.
DeRozan is a guy that I like to call a "throwaway bucket getter." He scores, but does it affect what is happening right now? Will it have an immediate impact on the game, and does his presence and threat to score truly sway a defence and the way they play you?
Kawhi, on the other hand, did that plenty last night. His shots, for some goddamn reason, came during points in a game where they needed a basket (shed Hayward for the strong layup), needed to build momentum (the three-ball in transition over Hayward), needed a jolt offensively to kickstart their rhythm (third-quarter surge), a big shot (three at the top with the assist to FVV), and a bucket to slow it down (post-up over Kyrie).
He may have shot an awful 10-for-25, but a majority of his shots came within the flow of the offence if not all. Take a DeRozan 10-for-25 night, and those 10 makes don't have the same impact within a game at the time that it's necessary. DeRozan made up for a lot of it at the free-throw line, but... Kawhi went to the line nine times, and made all nine last night.
Kawhi understands the moment of each game, time and score, and not to mention he's the best perimeter defender in the league and a fantastic rebounder.
This also leads me to believe, despite what kind of year Kawhi has shooting the ball, his points will be effective.
DeRozan, yes, was a +25 points per game scorer, and did it in spectacular fashion through many nights, however, it is the impact of each possession, and time and score.
This doesn't even have to be numbers based, because it heavily impacts the complexion of a game.
DeRozan is a guy that I like to call a "throwaway bucket getter." He scores, but does it affect what is happening right now? Will it have an immediate impact on the game, and does his presence and threat to score truly sway a defence and the way they play you?
Kawhi, on the other hand, did that plenty last night. His shots, for some goddamn reason, came during points in a game where they needed a basket (shed Hayward for the strong layup), needed to build momentum (the three-ball in transition over Hayward), needed a jolt offensively to kickstart their rhythm (third-quarter surge), a big shot (three at the top with the assist to FVV), and a bucket to slow it down (post-up over Kyrie).
He may have shot an awful 10-for-25, but a majority of his shots came within the flow of the offence if not all. Take a DeRozan 10-for-25 night, and those 10 makes don't have the same impact within a game at the time that it's necessary. DeRozan made up for a lot of it at the free-throw line, but... Kawhi went to the line nine times, and made all nine last night.
Kawhi understands the moment of each game, time and score, and not to mention he's the best perimeter defender in the league and a fantastic rebounder.
This also leads me to believe, despite what kind of year Kawhi has shooting the ball, his points will be effective.
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