Double bigs only works when you have three plus perimeter defenders that can switch, guard the 3- ball effectively, and keep turnovers very low. We were making our wins from possession differential derived from turnover and rebounding spreads. Last season we could run out three of dillon, amen, tari, and fred to play with the double bigs. Low turnovers. Everybody able to defend the 3- ball and dribble action and switch outside. Now dillon is gone and fred is out. Defensively we've replaced them with KD (who has to play obviously), Jabari, and either Okogie or Reed. KD is NOT that guy defensively. Nor should he be at age 37. And with Fred gone we've lost the turnover edge. What to do..... Play KD at the 4 and alternate the big man minutes between Alpi, Adams, KD with one of KD/Alpi on court at all times until game is decided. Dont put KD on the perimeter defensively in space and expect him to run around switching or expect that a big zone is going to work. Zone will only work against really bad teams or really poor second units. Put KD in the corner or in the paint defending 4's or 3's that have no off- the-dribble game. (He's actually sneakily underrated on the defensive interior.) Gonna have to endure the growing pains with Reed defensively and turnovers. No way around it. Jabari needs to play the 3 and get after it defensively or sit down. We'd be better off to start Tari with KD at the 4 and let him show defensively with the starters. He's a better perimeter defender and a better handle than Jabari. No double bigs with alpi/adams unless kd on the bench and we're getting major defensive hustle from the other the guys outside.
