The 3-and-D Archetype and the Routine Celtics & Nuggets - 11/05/23

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What Stood Out to Me Last Night (11/04/23)

1. Haliburton has solidified his status as one of the league's top floor generals. He snapped out of his rocky start shooting the ball this season, with a 25-point quarter and a total 43 points. However, his late-game turnover ultimately handed the victory to the Hornets.

2. Paulo also has snapped out of his slump with a vengeance, dropping 55 points on 18-31 shooting across his last two games, propelling the Magic to a blowout win over the Lakers.

3. The Celtics' seamless performance has become so routine it's hardly making headlines. As they begin to distinguish themselves in the Eastern standings, the chatter around Tatum and the Celtics should intensify. Tatum, with a 32/10 performance and became the youngest Celtic ever to reach 10,000 career points.

4. And yes, Jokić remains the planet's premier player – a point worth reiterating. He racked up 28/16/9 in a back-to-back showing.

5. Meanwhile, Jabari Smith stepped up with a 21/11 on good shooting and the Rockets picked up a decisive win over the Kings too.

6. Maxey huge second half and Oubre continues his unsustainable hot shooting. The Sixers are rolling.

Who I’m Watching for Tonight (11/05/23)

• From a fantasy perspective I’m seeing if Cade Cunningham can stop turning the ball over. He has 25 turnovers over his last 4 games. He’s also 33-81 shooting over those games too. With the high volume he's managing this season, it's crucial he tightens up his game, especially facing a Phoenix squad on a three-game skid.

• Luka, a key player on my fantasy team, hasn't been immune to turnover woes either, with 21 in his last three outings.

• Also, the surging Blazers. They’ve won 3 in a row, Ayton has been a force in the paint defensively and Sharpe is starting to slowly become the primary offensive player on the roster now.

Random NBA Thought

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope may have only tallied 10 points tonight, but for those who watched the game, his impact was immense. KCP represents the gold standard of the 3-and-D archetype in the NBA—a player who embodies two distinct yet critical skills essential for a team's success. Firstly, such a player must reliably sink open threes, and secondly, they shoulder the pivotal defensive responsibility of locking down the opponent's top scorers. These roles are often filled by wings or point guards, who complement ball-dominant superstars and bring balance to the lineup.

Reflecting on the rosters of championship teams, the significance of the 3-and-D role cannot be overstated. KCP was vital for the Nuggets' success in 2023 and the Lakers in 2020. The 2021 Bucks benefitted from PJ Tucker's tenacity, while Danny Green fulfilled the role for the 2014 Spurs and the 2019 Raptors. The Miami Heat's 2012 and 2013 runs featured Shane Battier, a player who became the face of the 3-and-D persona. Not to be forgotten are the 2016 Cavs with Shumpert or JR Smith, and the 2015 Warriors with Harrison Barnes in those slots.

Looking further back, the 2011 Mavericks leaned on DeShawn Stevenson, and during their back-to-back championship runs, the Lakers utilized Artest and Ariza. The Spurs had the formidable Bruce Bowen, and the Lakers had a lineup that included Fisher, Fox, and Horry—players who defined their roles on the court.

The outlier in this pattern might be the 2017 and 2018 Warriors, who, boasting an exceptionally stacked team, didn't rely on a traditional, limited 3-and-D starter. Klay Thompson, in many ways, embodied the essence of that role, but with capabilities far exceeding the norm.

Today, the Lakers are purposefully starting Taurean Prince—not because he's a top-five talent on their roster, but because he fits this pivotal 3-and-D role. This highlights a compelling aspect of roster construction: the best five talents do not always make the most effective lineup, a principle similarly significant when constructing Team USA rosters.

The art of building a winning team often lies in finding the right pieces that fit together, not just assembling the top talents.

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