Kessler Edwards
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
Booker didn't score the rest of the game after his 3 at 3:57 left in the game. Including an insane stand-out ISO defensive possession where he forced Booker into a heavily contested 3. 12 points on 6 shots and 7 rebounds. The only blimp was the costly turnover in crunch time, but I think we can all forgive that with this performance.
My guy needs to be a consistent 15+ MPG. His archetype is exactly the bridge wing the bench and honestly the team needs.
My guy needs to be a consistent 15+ MPG. His archetype is exactly the bridge wing the bench and honestly the team needs.
Nets fans say that his offensive game was in need of work. Judging by his stats in college, he's actually a pretty good 3 point shooter, averaging nearly 40% on threes at 4.4/game. They also said he was thrown into the fire too early and lost confidence, but with the King's maybe he can get it back since we seem to be easing him in.
He's basically Okpala but with serviceable offensive touch and without braindead negative BBIQ.
We're gonna need more than one game obviously but it's worth paying close attention to how he does going forward since there's no doubt in theory he fits a missing piece, the bench 4/3 flex defender.
All of a sudden you've got a bench unit of Davion-Monk-Edwards-Lyles-Metu, with even some room to push Lyles to the small-ball 5 and press the strengths of our team if Metu is too much of a liability come playoff time.
We're gonna need more than one game obviously but it's worth paying close attention to how he does going forward since there's no doubt in theory he fits a missing piece, the bench 4/3 flex defender.
All of a sudden you've got a bench unit of Davion-Monk-Edwards-Lyles-Metu, with even some room to push Lyles to the small-ball 5 and press the strengths of our team if Metu is too much of a liability come playoff time.
We are still a way off from declaring him a reliable rotation piece, but if he can become that he gives us something we don’t have on the roster- a 2/3 wing. Sometimes we talk about wings like they are a monolith, but in reality, there are several types of wings, especially 3/4 wings and 2/3 wings. Barnes and Keegan are both 3/4 wings- perfect for matching up with guys like George, Kawhi, Durant, LeBron, Giannis, Tatum, Porter, Grant, Ingram, etc…. Situations where you need a wing with size and strength.
But you need 2/3 wings when speed is important. Guys like Barnes and Keegan get cooked by guys like Ant, Booker, Jaylen Brown. And they can’t spend a few minutes trying to disrupt a big point guard like Kyrie or Ja. But a 2/3 wing can. It is a look we haven’t had that is really valuable. None of Davis, Huerter, or Monk have the size or length to be a legit 2/3, even if they lock in on D.
Really hoping Kessler builds on this.
But you need 2/3 wings when speed is important. Guys like Barnes and Keegan get cooked by guys like Ant, Booker, Jaylen Brown. And they can’t spend a few minutes trying to disrupt a big point guard like Kyrie or Ja. But a 2/3 wing can. It is a look we haven’t had that is really valuable. None of Davis, Huerter, or Monk have the size or length to be a legit 2/3, even if they lock in on D.
Really hoping Kessler builds on this.
At least Mike Brown now have someone he can rely on to play defense. This Kings team doesn't seem to have someone that can guard someone like Tatum, Brown, Booker...I mean Barnes and Davion are great but still they can get killed...Davion can't guard someone like Brown and KD due to length. Keegan has the size but lack strength...he's a work in progress. I can see Keegan being a great defender down the line but not this year. If Keegan is struggling early guarding some of these guys, I hope Mike put Kessler in early and I know he probably doesn't want to disrupt the Kings rhyme and guys's minutes, but in the Playoffs....you have to do whatever it takes to win, that include restricting guys minutes early if they struggled.
Another thing about Kessler is...he doesn't just play great individual defense, he tend to want to rebound as well when the ball is in the air...that's something some guys need to be taught...but it's natural to him. He naturally knows how to box out and go for the ball. The same with weak side defense...he just know. I think he's the type of guys that Mike Brown is looking for. Of course, it's just one game...but what I seen...the potential is undeniable.
Another thing about Kessler is...he doesn't just play great individual defense, he tend to want to rebound as well when the ball is in the air...that's something some guys need to be taught...but it's natural to him. He naturally knows how to box out and go for the ball. The same with weak side defense...he just know. I think he's the type of guys that Mike Brown is looking for. Of course, it's just one game...but what I seen...the potential is undeniable.
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The beauty of Monte's trade is that he got Kessler for basically nothing and the Kings have him locked up for next year with a cheap team option.
This marks the 2nd trade deadline deal where Monte gets a viable rotation player for basically nothing. First TD and now Kessler. That's how you build a contender in a small market!
This marks the 2nd trade deadline deal where Monte gets a viable rotation player for basically nothing. First TD and now Kessler. That's how you build a contender in a small market!