I would say it was the addition of Jrue Holiday mostly along side of Derrick White stepping up big time and the Js taking on leadership roles. You could really see the maturity in Jalens play this year and he proved it come playoff time.
kpopvapefiend
Obviously, they were a great team when he was out with injuries, but when he’s on the floor with pretty much any lineup, no team has any chance at guarding them.
a516359
Nah, it was Jrue. We always needed that pg that we just couldn’t get with Smart. I love him but he would make some costly mistakes. He would be an amazing backup pg for us though. On top of that, Brown stepping up his game was perfect timing.
PatriotMissiles
It was a combo of all of them.
sarcastic_wanderer
Jrue and Derick
CantHandlemyPP34
Biggest reason – Team Chemistry (1A)
Having Jrue come here in place of Marcus was a game changer. His fit with DWhite was seamless, tough on both ends and unselfish. Jrue is an elite floor maestro (CP3 style) the way he keeps everybody organized on both ends and DWhite is THE best glue guy in the league, while also playing his own 2 way, 3&D, secondary playmaking, shot creator, handler – role at an elite level. This is probably the most synergistic backcourt I’ve ever seen. Not only that, but it was the Anti 2018-2020 backcourt where we had to hide our PG. These guys were sharks, the way a ballhawk like Ed Reed or Earl Thomas were. It felt like these 2 flipped offensive possessions for most opposing backcourts, to put them on the backfoot because our duo was in attack mode on defense.
2nd reason – Leadership (1B)
Smart going also allowed the Jay’s to take over as leaders, so there was no internal power struggle every game. Tatum and Brown used to go shot for shot, but 3 is company. Having Jrue/White on the floor with them was pivotal in helping those 2 find the *right* angle of attack any time down the floor.
3rd reason – A Skilled Big (2)
Kristaps was the Big man we’ve needed this entire time. Al was always great but he was pulling more weight than he shouldve had to handle, as a stretch 5. Al could’ve done it as starter back in 2018-2022, if we ever had better depth up front, but he was just never big, athletic, young or skilled enough of a scorer to carry us through a full run as our only “big”. Kristaps at 7’3 with his offensive bag, mobility and rim protection was everything we’ve ever wanted and more in a starting center.
8 Comments
No, he didnt play in the playoffs.
Absolutely. He made them unstoppable.
I would say it was the addition of Jrue Holiday mostly along side of Derrick White stepping up big time and the Js taking on leadership roles. You could really see the maturity in Jalens play this year and he proved it come playoff time.
Obviously, they were a great team when he was out with injuries, but when he’s on the floor with pretty much any lineup, no team has any chance at guarding them.
Nah, it was Jrue. We always needed that pg that we just couldn’t get with Smart. I love him but he would make some costly mistakes. He would be an amazing backup pg for us though. On top of that, Brown stepping up his game was perfect timing.
It was a combo of all of them.
Jrue and Derick
Biggest reason – Team Chemistry (1A)
Having Jrue come here in place of Marcus was a game changer. His fit with DWhite was seamless, tough on both ends and unselfish. Jrue is an elite floor maestro (CP3 style) the way he keeps everybody organized on both ends and DWhite is THE best glue guy in the league, while also playing his own 2 way, 3&D, secondary playmaking, shot creator, handler – role at an elite level. This is probably the most synergistic backcourt I’ve ever seen. Not only that, but it was the Anti 2018-2020 backcourt where we had to hide our PG. These guys were sharks, the way a ballhawk like Ed Reed or Earl Thomas were. It felt like these 2 flipped offensive possessions for most opposing backcourts, to put them on the backfoot because our duo was in attack mode on defense.
2nd reason – Leadership (1B)
Smart going also allowed the Jay’s to take over as leaders, so there was no internal power struggle every game. Tatum and Brown used to go shot for shot, but 3 is company. Having Jrue/White on the floor with them was pivotal in helping those 2 find the *right* angle of attack any time down the floor.
3rd reason – A Skilled Big (2)
Kristaps was the Big man we’ve needed this entire time. Al was always great but he was pulling more weight than he shouldve had to handle, as a stretch 5. Al could’ve done it as starter back in 2018-2022, if we ever had better depth up front, but he was just never big, athletic, young or skilled enough of a scorer to carry us through a full run as our only “big”. Kristaps at 7’3 with his offensive bag, mobility and rim protection was everything we’ve ever wanted and more in a starting center.