Agreed, the problem is neither himself or Silas seems to be aware of the weaknesses, totally incompatible with his position.
My guess is that it's a combination of him trying to keep up the pace from last season as well as teams scouting him better this year. Opposing teams know we are getting a big fat zero from KPJ as a playmaker, so they can scheme to guard against ISOs from both KPJ and Green.
He processes the game exceptionally well and has legit size too. That is why he is here…but he isn’t particularly fast nor has some of the athleticism of his peers and I think for this league unfortunately the soft skills can only carry you so far. I think he will be on NBA rosters for a long time - a decade plus if he can handle being a bench player in the NBA and doesn’t decide to go play oversees to be the man….but his ceiling is just lower than an athletic freak who can process the game half as well as him. It’s not fair, but it’s why let’s say a Zion is a far more impactful player in his prime.
The problem is he had always been a shooting guard and Silas is like - you should be a point guard…he didn’t task himself to run the offense - SILAS did.
You know what smart people do when they have bad teachers or coaches? They study themselves. KPJ could easily hit up LBJ or Harden for example and ask them lock himself in the gym with them, picking their brains 24/7. He can run his own passing drills. KPJ showing zero improvement as a playmaker, that's ultimately on him.
People have said this about a ton of great players. They said it about Steph, Larry, Dirk, Pierce, Suns Barkley, etc. Moses Malone was 6-10 with heels and zero hops and he was a generational 5. If people haven't seen it before, they won't believe it. That is fine. What Sengun does is unprecedented, and that point can't be debated. He is a top 5 post player in the NBA right now, at worst. He turned 20 a little over 3 months ago. (And we have Tari and Jabari, two supreme defenders at SF/PF. Give it time...)
I think he has improved quite a bit - tonight aside his TOs have been much improved this year and he is generating assists much better than before…but there is only so much he can do since he has spent the last decade plus as a score first guard. You can’t unwind that in a few offseasons just because it fits Silas’ model more easily.
KPJ is just a talented hooper - he doesn’t have to be smart - we have coaches who are supposed to show him the way. If they can’t do that, then they don’t need to be coaches here because THIS is the roster we are trying to maximize the talents of.
Keep it to the modern era - Moses Malone comps aren’t a great example of how players thrive in the modern era. There are a lot of historically great players who would just be some dude on a roster today. The league has evolved and the margins are MUCH slimmer between players now.
I see improvement in his composure, overall he looks improved on some skills but when I look at the numbers they are at best the same as last year. Hopefully you are right and I am wrong. I don't see it happening but some posters other than kpj stans posting positive things make me keep an open mind. It looks like there should be a role he excels, but I find it hard to believe that Silas will find that role, or KPJ will be okay with that role.
If Sengun was a poor athlete I’d agree with you. He’s fluid, coordinated, quick short area and a good leaper when moving. Quick hands. He has enough athleticism to compete and more than enough skill to be a very good player already. If he tightens his handles, gets stronger and more disciplined on defense and develops range on his shot, he can be an all star level player. All that seems more likely than not imo.
I agree he can get there but I think it’s more likely he is a very good backup big on a playoff team long term than a starter in a good team. I hope I’m wrong - I like the way he plays, but he seems like too big of a defensive liability.
To be clear, you think Moses Malone would be "just be some dude on a roster" today? I could not more vehemently disagree If that is the case. Comps in general aren't useful for Sengun. He is unique. You tell me... If he develops a jumper, how do you stop him?
I get the concerns. I don’t think he’ll ever be a defensive anchor but I think he could play good enough defense within a team concept. I actually think he’s going to end up a 4 when he fully matured and develops a shot. He does better defending on the perimeter than he does banging. Pair him with a guy like Wemby, who’s a perimeter player offensively that can anchor the middle on defense and you have a great 4/5 combo.
I think he is destined to be a top level 6th man and bench unit scorer. If he can accept the role of being a Vinnie Microwave Johnson, JR Smith, Lou Williams, Jamal Crawford- I think he will have a long career ahead of him…otherwise he will be a starting PG for bad teams which has a shelf life.
