KPJ: Can someone explain to me why he has become Clutchfans favorite whipping boy?

KPJ’s numbers are very similar to Russell Westbrook’s.

All of the articles you see talk about how WB is thriving in his role off the bench. The thing is, he’s not doing anything any different. His percentages as are all in line with what they were as a starter, except his minutes are fewer. The horrible player he was is now a viable asset even though he’s doing nothing different as a player. I believe that this is the blueprint for KPJ. Put him in that role and let him thrive.

While likely well-intentioned, I think Silas and Stone forcing the starting PG role on him is actually hurting him. The best thing for KPJ may ultimately be us getting the 2nd pick and forcing their hand.

 

Exactly if you put him on a team that had efficient SHOOTERS his Assist to turnover ratio would be much better.

Last night Jabari missed 4 wide open shots created by KPJ - didn't hit a single one, Ego missed 2 or 3 wide open shots....

If you want his assist to TO ratio to improve, then it would certainly help if guys could start hitting some open shots.

There is not a PG alive who would have great numbers passing the ball to 30% 3pt shooters.

DD

 

Green had a game where it was like 24 and he is never handling the ball as much as KPJ.

In fact Green has a higher assists per time of possession I'm pretty sure.

 

... and Jalen Green's numbers are similar but a bit worse than KPJ's numbers... so you thinking he needs a bench role too?

 

Maybe eventually. He might have benefitted from starting out there. The team has more invested in him, so I understand the rationale for not wanting to do it with him. Moving KPJ to 6th man would be a good way to stagger their minutes, though Silas has said he’s unwilling to do that.

 

Honestly, if we can carry on playing that quick pass, lots of screens and cutting offense like last night, he fit pretty perfectly. There were many many times last night where the offense looked truly legit and not just talented people making the best of a bad situation. It's not convinced me that he's who I'm banking on yet, but if that continues I genuinely think those "he should be a 6th man" arguments are going to hold less and less weight. I want to see that style carry on and improve, that's an identity I can get behind. If KPJ carries on making it work the way it worked last night and playing less isoball and actually playing for his team mates like they all did the majority of the game yesterday then I don't see any real need to end the "experiment" in all honesty. That works.

 

Excellent post! I agree 100%. Having two guards who can pick and roll with a center like Sengun with potent 3 point shooters standing behind the line ready to receive passes when open is the makings of an amazing offense.

 

Welcome to what I have been saying for the entire time KPJ and Green have been starting. If this works we will have an amazing advantage.

DD

 

If KPJ consistently passes to Sengun and Jalen in their spots (even in the 4th) and he gets his turnovers down, I'll shut the hell up about him not being a point.

 

I mean, it would certainly help the team tank if that's the goal... however, the real goals this year is to help develop the 2 combo guards and develop chemistry with the young core... and benching the better of the 2 isn't going to further either goal. It'll just make things harder on the less experienced of the 2.

 

I'm right there with you. Like I say, I'm not ready to bank on him just yet. But if we can maintain that style of play, I genuinely think any questions of "fit" rapidly evaporate. The way the team was moving, the passes in and out of the high post, the screens...that was great ball to watch, and it got results. The other thing is, that's the early stages of it, imagine if they managed to stick to that style for the rest of the season and learn the nuances of how to make it work even better? As far as I can see it that's the offensive identity established if they manage it. Then we just need to shore up the defense, move those who don't fit the style of play for those that do and we're well on our way.

 

This is not true at all just look at chauncey Billups numbers or Jrue Holiday I have gave other examples as well.

No his numbers were not much better hell his 5th year numbers were not better.


1999
Nuggets
13
23.5
8.6
33.7
17.1
2.6
3.0
0.8
0.2

1999
Nuggets
45
33.1
13.9
38.6
36.2
2.1
3.8
1.3
0.3

1997
Raptors
29
31.7
11.3
34.9
31.6
2.7
3.3
1.0
0.1

1997
Celtics
51
25.4
11.1
39.0
33.9
2.2
4.3
1.5
0.0

 

The issue with the entire post is that their are people acting like if you criticize KPJ you are being mean to him. Its the same with with Westbrook and the issue he has had over the past year. If you are increidibly inefficient people are going to complain. Its that simple.

 

huh? 5th year billups had a107 TS+ and a 13% TO rate, that's not better then kpj's 94 TS+ and 17.6% TO rate? The way some of you guys interpret numbers is......interesting

 

I think it's the hypocrisy of those who constantly whine about KPJ that gets annoying. If he plays poorly, those people whine about him...if he plays well, those same people whine.

When those people whine, if you point out that KPJ is objectively having a better season than Jalen Green, they'll make excuses for Green and double down on why KPJ shouldn't even be in the league. Honestly it's pathetic.

The kid has 119 starts in his career, just 19 more than Jalen Green, but some of the more simple minded around here think he should be a finished product while ignoring the struggles of every other young player on the roster.

 

No, it’s not that people criticize KPJ. It’s that people OVER criticize him. Even this post does it — KPJ is not “incredibly” inefficient, especially compared to a guy like Westbrook. Westbrook’s TS% is .485. KPJ’s is .541, and the average TS% of PGs is .55.

 

So now you are cherry picking stats?

Billups shot 33% in his 4th year dude.

Jrue Holiday never shot over 44% until his 6th year.

 

not really cherry picking, TS and TO are pretty much the 2 stats i care about for a lead guard and the 2 stats i've always used in every post

The year he shot 33% he missed almost the entire year cause of injury....

 

No see you are the issue here. Look at your own post. KPJ is an overall inefficient I wasnt comparing him to westbrook I was comparing him to how people treat him. Not saying whether is better or worse but KPJ is incredibly inefficient. Its the truth. He has poor decision making and all the other things that people say about him most of the time are true. Some of those things arent in his efficiency rating though. I could say the same thing about Westbrook without adding in statistics and id still be right. The issue is you cant say anthing about him without you or people like you crying like he's the greatest player ever and if we let you you'd use stats and twist them to your benefit until it looks like he's CP3. I see it all the time. We all know what he looks like and we all know what type of player he is and what he did last night is not the norm. You would love for us to act like it is though and thats the problem with people like you.