So Collins is more versatile but less efficient than Rudy. I think that is the summation of the discussion. I think the facts confirm this as true. So I guess one has to ask themselves what they consider more important versatility or efficiency? Personally I like guys to make shots on less attempts. That seems to produce more winning moments. The reason why regular offensive numbers are not an indicator of playoff success is because teams have time to make adjustments and exploit opponent's weaknesses. Plus, in the playoffs teams tend to play harder and better defense if they have the team to do so. Utah has been exposed defensively in the playoffs and thus Rudy has taken the blame. In reality the problem is the four other guys not being even average defenders. Ok Royce is slight above average but he has declined the last few years. Conley tries but his lack of size is an issue. DM is an effort issue. Bogey is average and struggles in certain situations.
Lastly, your defense of Smart of him guarding Curry well is more a deflection of reality. There were plenty of times Smart got torched by Curry. Not saying this means Smart is not a good defender. He is DPOY. However much of Smart's success comes from having defenders at all other positions. Tatum, Brown, Williams, White and Hortford are solid or above average defenders. Rudy has maybe Royce who has lost some defensive ability as a decent defender and he is undersize at the 4 and not quick enough to guard fast guards. Bogey has his moments but besides that the rest of the crew is average or horrible. So comparing Rudy and Smart's efficient in the playoffs is an unfair comparison. I know for sure Smart would struggle playing on the Jazz with that supporting cast and Rudy would dominate the paint being on the Celtics and they would be NBA champs.
Well, that's obvious. That's generally the case when you compare rim runners to guys who score at three levels.
versatility and efficiency are both important, not separate commodities. Tyson Chandler used to lead the league in efficiency whereas someone like Andrei Kirilenko would provide elite versatility. Ideally, you rather have Tim Duncan who is capable of both consistently.
I personally evaluate guys based on their situation and what's needed. I don't have a narrow-minded way of looking at how I see players across the league.
Yep
Yep
100% on that, Rudy has taken the blunt of the blame. Who are you going to blame, garbage perimeter defenders that's been garbage all season. It wasn't like that was a new discovery.
Yep
He's too small (O'Neale)
He's gotten older and his feet aren't what they used to be defensively. Father time is undefeated (Conley)
I disagree, I think he would be better off defending 1s (Mitchell)
Bogey, I think he's a terrible defender for the most part. He's a good team defender but in the playoffs, you need more than that.
You really can't lock down a player the caliber of Curry. Wiggins quote on quote locked down Luka to 31 PPG against Dallas. Those guys will score, you just want to make it tough and Smart did that from all of the games I saw in the Finals. Even Draymond gave Smart his respect after the series ended.
Smart is a great defender.
Horford and White is a very good defender, the rest are solid defensively. They are capable of good defense but they measure their effort on defense based on their offense effort. It's hard to give max effort on both ends no matter who you are if you are a primary offensive option.
I am not gonna compare Boston to Utah.
Yeah but how would Boston afford Rudy. Horford and Williams combine for less than Gobert's contract. Do you think Gobert is worth two good role players impact wise? Maybe he is but that's tough since it's just one player and create a hole at the 4 unless they go small which would work with Gobert. White/Smart/Brown/Tatum/Gobert would work. I agree with you then.