Was he though? The numbers would suggest he's a lesser player all around tbh, he's never had a single run like the run Jalen had at the end of this year. He never even had as big star flashes as Green when they both played on the roster and let's not forget, during those years it was KPJ not Green who actually had the ball all of the time and the green light everybody likes to falsely claim Jalen had his entire career...
Purely on basketball ability KPJ could’ve been a nice combo guard off the bench in the NBA. That sure as hell wasn’t the missing piece this year for us though considering how long it took to really get minutes for Cam and Amen. That’s without getting into all the other crap with him.
Pass, the intangibles that the veterans and staff have brought to the team he did the opposite in his time here. You can be a high performer but negatively impact team success with your attitude or mentality. If you've played a competitive team sport you can understand. Unless you're a very difficult-to-replace superstar it typically isn't worth it, KPJ wasn't in his years here. Wish him luck and healing in the future though, and hope he works on his mental/spiritual health, maturity, and game.
The funny part of this is that, all those in favor of a reunion with the thought of KPJ on this team forget how opposed he would have been to a bench role to begin with. Perhaps not at first... but you're telling me that a guy with this type of ego is supposed to just accept a bench role when he was rewarded the starting role with the trade that brought him here? If he was walking out on Silas mid games and having temper tantrums, ON TOP OF, all his offcourt issues... you guys really think some "tough love" from Ime would have all of a sudden scared this kid straight? Man, that's pretty delusional, even for this board.
All KPJ discussions should have ceased the moment he was released. This coming from a pretty big KPJ fan. Time to let it go.
A lot of fake trade rumors making people hold their breath that their favorite player isn't getting traded. Can't wait.
I couldn't disagree more. Silas was the perfect coach for KPJ because he was a weak disciplinarian. At first that might seem counter-intuitive, since KPJ is exactly the kind of player who would benefit from a strong hand guiding him, he's also a guy who historically bristles at being forced to conform. Put him in Udoka's system and locker room and he'd likely have a blowup and get waived pretty early on. KPJ needed a permissive coach like Silas to stay just in the league as long as he did.
Alternate world which doesnt exist, where KPJ isnt a cancer: Going against 2 teamers as a 6th man would increase his effectiveness. He'd be a top 10 sixth man. FVV played a lot of minutes. KPJ would back him up too. Look at how the Rockets are lifted with Jalen Green playing decent. Having insurance hedge behind that would lift Rockets floor. To suggest otherwise isnt logical Now also logically, KPJ being full time cancer: KPJ was a better all-around player than Jalen (yes i said it). But since attitude matters, toxicity takes away from winning culture all over again even with the skills. KPJ would hold back Cam's development, not be good influence on him who has his own maturity issues. We're saying Ime would be changing influence. But KPJ got arrested AFTER Ime came. And AFTER KPJ was already including himself as a "pick me" to Ime going to Ime press conferences & such. He crapped on John Lucas the only coach that personally cared about his well being. KPJ abused Lucas's literal god daughter, like DAMN. Knucklehead to the core. Good riddance
But to be fair that young OKC trio was fun to watch with Westbrook leading that ent. And not making no excuse for Melo but had Detroit not wet the bed he would have been almost too perfect for that Pistons squad, especially being he had what they needed most, an explosive 3 level scorer.....his effort and attention to Def. would have been better for him as well in that culture then The other two, it is what it be
