In Reply to: I agree with you. Playing smart requires posted by ej on March 14, 2025 at 22:11:44
I absolutely agree with you on that and never suggested otherwise. imo Mack is always mentally tough but so often he does NOT play smart. I've often been put off by that. His play is usually just get the ball, bounce it awhile (which stops the flow of the ball and movement on offense) then put his head down and drive to the basket regardless of the defenders in the way, trying to make something happen or maybe get fouled in the process.
Sometimes that's off we have to offer on offense when other players - Dailey yesterday for example - aren't doing anything. But that's a desperation situation. You just aren't going to win many games with that as your offense - one guy, driving into crowds of defenders. Much less with that same guy opting to launch three point shots so often especially when he's not a great three point shooter.
He is mentally tough because nothing dissuades him from playing aggressively. But if he is to be a major contributor next year, he has to start playing smart as well. If he doesn't learn to pass the ball to open teammates and to quit stopping ball and player movement on offense, imo he's just not a positive force on the team.
As you said, ej, a player has to play smart and have mental toughness. Mental toughness alone is nothing more than aggressiveness that you can't totally control