As you watch this highlight video it's a good reminder of what KJ does well in using his strength, explosive ability, balance and body control to attack the rim. He was effective as a 5 man because basically he was quicker and more explosive than a lot of other big men, but also typically just as strong. Now that quickness and explosion advantage against other 5 men will go away some as he slides to the 4 spot and HD takes over the 5 spot... or will it...?? Since HD is typically going to be guarded by the other teams center and HD also happens to be a skilled passer and a good 3 point shooter then I can envision HD popping out to the top of the key while KJ rolls or cuts to the rim and can still attack the rim the way he did as a 5 man this past season, only now, in theory he won't have to absorb contact or finish over the other teams 5 man because you can't just let HD take wide open top of the key threes(theoretically), and putting a small defender on HD at 7'1" is still close to an open look from the top of the key which he could likely make 40% of the time. So now drawing the other teams center out to the top of the key with HD, will likely give KJ more opportunities to be dunking on people's heads who are smaller and weaker than him, while still likely being too explosive and quick at cutting and rolling for a wing to have a ton of success stopping him. Just a thought..
It will certainly be something for Self to toy with and will force other teams to have to figure out how they are going to guard that cutting, picking, popping or rolling action between our 4 and 5 man and I haven't even mentioned how Dejuan factors into this play designing yet, which could be the most interesting part of it. It's definitely an interesting thing to try and visualize and I bet Self will be playing 3D chess with it by February..
