https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA5_H52hRr0
Does KD Fit The Roster, Personnel?
The NBA is a superstar league. It’s always been this way and will always continue on as such. This means when the opportunity arises in which a superstar can be acquired, an Association general manager will usually pounce.
Having said that, there are cases of bad fits. Look no further than the Knicks.
Amar’e Stoudemire was enjoying a terrific 2010-11 season in his first go-around in the Big Apple. He and Raymond Felton found something pretty special with the pick-n-roll and the high-post. Then, Melodrama ensued and a chunk of the roster was sacrificed for the “Coming Home” marketing campaign.
While nobody will claim it was a bad move, Melo and Stoudemire never fit on the same court together.
Could this be the same as it relates to Durant and Anthony?
Both are volume shooters. Durant averaged 19.2 shots per game this past season. This was good enough for fifth in the NBA. Melo averaged 18.2 which was good enough for eighth in the league. That would mean two of the top 10 in the NBA would be placed on the same roster.
While we definitely saw Anthony take a giant leap forward in terms of team play and an increased “court vision willingness,” if these two played on the same squad even more concessions would have to be made. Russell Westbrook finished ninth in the league in shots attempted, but because he creates so many opportunities for teammates, it’s less of a sin in teaming that volume with KD.
Furthermore, this volume could potentially hurt the development of young Porzingis. Where and when will the opportunities come for KP?
The biggest issue, though, comes when understanding the Knicks would be completely reliant on their front-court. Porzingis would be forced to play center and Melo or Durant would share the forward spots. This leaves very little versatility by way of lineup options.
Especially in a point guard/perimeter driven league, this could and should be of major concern.
