I think the greater point here is that there are many variables that could have changed and swung the series. For example, FVV not hitting every shot in Games 5-6. But what people always seem to harp on is "Superstar X should have done Y better!" It's not that the observation is wrong, it's just that people focus on that kind of thing with a laser, and usually just when the player loses. If the Bucks won the series and Giannis played exactly the same way, I am sure that some people would still be talking about how bad his jump shot is, but most of the conversation would revolve around how amazing it was that Giannis led the Bucks to the Finals. Basically... What people focus on tends to shift based on winning/losing, and the best players usually get 100% of the blame or 100% of the credit.
I'm talking more generally here. I actually agree with every point you've made thus far! I'm just commenting on... I guess... The way people talk about basketball sometimes.
No, I hear ya. I really do. And yes, people DO harp on the "superstars." But you also have to call it like you see it. The Raptors shut Giannis down. Why? Because they took away his "A" game, and his "B" game was not good enough to sustain them. And Giannis' teammates saw that, so when Giannis deferred to them, they weren't able to deliver. Had the Bucks won, and their role players came through in a big way, yes, people would be focusing less on Giannis. But the Warriors would have seen that, and made it even tougher.
Giannis WILL be the best basketball player on the planet. And it might be next year. But he's not quite developed yet. I think the Bucks had a tremendous season. Going from being ousted in the first round, to losing in the ECF. Next year? Finals. And they may, depending on where the balance of power is, win it all next year. But Giannis' next step is developing that jumper. If I'm him, I take a couple weeks off, and then just start shooting thousands of jumpers a day from distance, with the right coach, and develop that motion.
The old coach in me saw a couple of times how he shot from his palm instead of his fingertips. I am sure he and the coaches all noticed it. But a small tweak could help his consistency. He has the range. He hit a few 3s. It's all about repetition, making sure the form is correct, and just dialing it in over the offseason. Gotta add something every summer. And Giannis will. You can see he's the type to just keep grinding away. The Bucks' future is SO bright with The Freak. Their fans should be elated over a great season. Making good offseason decisions, and the Bucks will be right back at it, with Giannis likely becoming a force on the perimeter. And when that happens, he'll be unstoppable. I see him, if he develops that shot, averaging 30+ next year...on only 18 shots. Close the lane, he pulls up and nails it, move up on him, you'll be dunked on.
p.s. no one here cares, but man, the Wolves just made a great hire with Sachin Gupta as Executive VIP to Gersson Rosas. Wolves' leadership really making huge strides. Can't wait to see how things develop this offseason and into next year.
Topic: NBA thread 2018-2019 v. Raptors are Champs (Read 79516 times)
