It is hard to build a defense around a guy who is barely six-one who is not particularly quick or dialed in on that end.
Jesus.
My lack of enthusiasm for an all-in trade is not predicated on Donovan's talent level.
No, he ain't the greatest defender in the world. But while not a great defender, he is surely a game one, with a 6'11" wingspan. Brunson is not the greatest defender in the world, either, which is why, Brother E, I do not share your ennui for Brother Grimes, who is a muscular 6'5", and who really gets into your body on the defensive end.
And as for being 6'1", like Brunson, he has a tree trunk stout body, and while JB is 195, DM is 215.
Defense? Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, and DM really forces the action, particularly getting to the hoop and in the midrange. And he gets to the line and facilitates.
Mitchell [2021-22]
67 games at 33.8 mpg
9.2 total makes out of 20.5 attempts for a .448%
3.5 3-pt makes out of 9.8 attempts for a .355%
5.7 2-pt nakes out of 10.8 attempts for a .533%
4.0 FT makes out of 4.7 Attempts for a .853%
4.2 rebounds
5.3 assists
1.5 steals
3.0 turnovers
25.9 PPG
PRETTY IMPRESSIVE [1.5 steals]
Brunson [2021-22]
79 games at 31.9 mpg
6.4 makes per 12.8 attempts for a .502 %
1.2 3pt makes per 3.2 attempts for a .373%
5.2 2pt makes per 9.6 attempts for a .545%
2.3 FTS made per 2.7 attempts for a .840%
3.9 rebounds
4.8 assists
0.8 steals
1.6 turnovers
16.3 PPG
Purely from a statistical standpoint, Brunson is more efficient on roughly 8 attempts less per game. Expect the attempts to spike.
In any event, there seems to be a certain REDUNDANCY having both Brunson AND Mitchell as our starting guards. Now having a second guard who can score at such a clip as DM, while handing out comprable assists to Brunson [5.3 vs 4.8]. However, 20.8 attempts per game is pretty ball dominant.
Now we disagree on the upside of Grimes and Quickley, but both have facilitating chops they are working on. Not at Mitchell stature as we speak, but just saying.
Now, just for giggles, because in no WayShapeForm am I suggesting that Fournier is vaguely in Mitchell's class.
Still
Fournier
80 games at 29.5 mpg
5.0 makes in 12.1 takes for a .417%
3.0 3pt makes for 7.7 takes for a .389%
2.0 2pt makes for 4.3 takes at a .465% clip
1.0 FT makes for 1.4 makes for a .708%
2.6 rebounds
2.1 assists
1.0 steal
1.3 turnovers
14.1 ppg
Quickley
78 games at 23.1 mpg
3.6 makes in 9.3 attempts for a .392%
1.8 3 point makes in 5.1 attempts for a .346%
1.9 2 point makes in 4.2 attemtps for a .448%
2.3 FT makes for 2.6 attempts for a .881%
3.2 rebounds
3.5 assists
0.7 steals
1.3 turnovers
11.3 ppg
Not very efficient, to be sure, though much of that was from the first 2/3 of the season.
And Grimes was also very up and down, hot and cold, as he was this summer. Streak shooter, but showed great attack mentality, defensive tenacity and facilitating skills...did I mention he is 6'5" 205, and only 22? WHY DO YOU THINK AINGE COVETS HIM?
So?
Would DM makes us better?
Sure would.
Optimum match to Brunson?
Mmmmm, not really, but not chopped liver, either.
Worth the price?
DEPENDS ON THE PRICE.
So far?
NO FUCKING SALE, dude.
Poll
