I think the one thing the SGA-Hali efficiency comp underrates is that it is much easier for Hali to get off the ball and set up his teammates because they have EIGHT guys who can do damage when they get the ball in advantage situations. OKC really just has J-Dubb and SGA, so the burden on SGA to carry the offense with his scoring is infinitely higher. In QB terms, Hali is CJ Stroud at OSU, SGA is Mahomes at Texas Tech. I love Hali, and generally think his quick decisions and willingness to get off the ball are massively more valuable than the Tre Young-Harden ISO-ball guys. But SGA is an apex scorer, and as much as I love Hali I don’t think he could carry a team with volume like SGA has.
And I think what has flipped this series is J-dub adding another big time scoring threat. I really think Indiana wins this series if it was just SGA + OKC defense. I don't think they have a prayer if it's SGA + J-Ddub + OKC defense.
You’re right, no one can do it alone-even MJ needed Scotty. You’re also right that the OKC offense can get too ISO heavy and is better when SGA doesn’t just dribble for 15 seconds. But I think he would share a lot more and still be great in Indy, while OKC wouldn’t be nearly as good with Hali, as much as I love him, wouldn’t be the same surrounded by J-Dubb and a bunch of stationary shooters who only make shots every 3 games or so.
They'd get a lot better shots if they traded places. I don't know, I'm not as convinced as you that it wouldn't work.
Also on the flip side, Indiana with SGA loses a lot. The flow of their offense which helps all those guys look so dangerous goes away.
Say this for SGA though, his play on defense when getting attacked in the last game was excellent. Halliburton has improved to where when you pick on him it's not as bad, but trying to pick on SGA in game 4 actually went really poorly at times.
Through one of maybe three, the Jalen Williams trend line has proven to be the most important.
Also a big factor, Chet defending at the rim and on switches the last couple games has been fantastic.
Him + the ball pressure have been killers for the Indy half court offense the last 2 4Q’s.
Chet and Jalen alike have measured up to the moment.
I think the one thing the SGA-Hali efficiency comp underrates is that it is much easier for Hali to get off the ball and set up his teammates because they have EIGHT guys who can do damage when they get the ball in advantage situations. OKC really just has J-Dubb and SGA, so the burden on SGA to carry the offense with his scoring is infinitely higher. In QB terms, Hali is CJ Stroud at OSU, SGA is Mahomes at Texas Tech. I love Hali, and generally think his quick decisions and willingness to get off the ball are massively more valuable than the Tre Young-Harden ISO-ball guys. But SGA is an apex scorer, and as much as I love Hali I don’t think he could carry a team with volume like SGA has.
Do you want him to though?
And I think what has flipped this series is J-dub adding another big time scoring threat. I really think Indiana wins this series if it was just SGA + OKC defense. I don't think they have a prayer if it's SGA + J-Ddub + OKC defense.
You’re right, no one can do it alone-even MJ needed Scotty. You’re also right that the OKC offense can get too ISO heavy and is better when SGA doesn’t just dribble for 15 seconds. But I think he would share a lot more and still be great in Indy, while OKC wouldn’t be nearly as good with Hali, as much as I love him, wouldn’t be the same surrounded by J-Dubb and a bunch of stationary shooters who only make shots every 3 games or so.
They'd get a lot better shots if they traded places. I don't know, I'm not as convinced as you that it wouldn't work.
Also on the flip side, Indiana with SGA loses a lot. The flow of their offense which helps all those guys look so dangerous goes away.
Say this for SGA though, his play on defense when getting attacked in the last game was excellent. Halliburton has improved to where when you pick on him it's not as bad, but trying to pick on SGA in game 4 actually went really poorly at times.