Collins & Kessler work well together this season -- Why?

After such terrible results last year when the two were paired, they're suddenly positive in their minutes together. What's going on? Kessler's improvement, Collins's improvement, improvement from both, Hardy figured something out, simply more familiarity between the two?

Earlier in the season the Kessler and George P&R was remarkedly better as well.

idiot said:

After such terrible results last year when the two were paired, they're suddenly positive in their minutes together. What's going on? Kessler's improvement, Collins's improvement, improvement from both, Hardy figured something out, simply more familiarity between the two?

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No kidding, I was thinking about posting something similar. I'm not watching close enough to know the answer, but I think it's probably because Collins is shooting well enough to be guarded on the perimeter.

I think Kessler is playing better as an individual and that helps, but the biggest factor is that Collins has increased his versatility as an offensive player. Previously in his career, he's only been effective as a PnR man and a somewhat hit and miss corner three point shooter. In other words, he could only finish plays and there was collision there with Kessler who can also finish plays. This year Collins has turned the corner and gotten way better with the ball in his hands. He can now execute the dribble handoffs and play from the high post. While different and more scoring oriented than KO, he's playing that role extremely well and finding his own offense+creating more for others. You can see this in the % of 2FG's that are unassisted, which is drastically different than any point in his career and in his assist numbers.

Shooting is obviously the main consideration when it comes to spacing, but having a good floor game and able to execute actions like a true perimeter player goes a long way. JC's immense improvement in those areas is what has fueled their success this season. His shooting has come up, but his volume hasn't changed and even when he was hitting a lower percentage he was succeeding as the 4 because he was more versatile. I also think last year was just uniquely horrible in a way that it was difficult for it to be that bad again.

idiot said:

After such terrible results last year when the two were paired, they're suddenly positive in their minutes together. What's going on? Kessler's improvement, Collins's improvement, improvement from both, Hardy figured something out, simply more familiarity between the two?

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Simple, they figured out how to co-exist. Collins second year in the system and Kessler has improved

I'm going to put it on:

1. Collins had a desire to improve
2. Hardy is a fantasting coach who helps see players weaknesses and improves them to strengths
3. His knuckle is no longer a tree root
4. Collins is no longer play with Trae Young
5. One year in the system

I think you combine that with a raw talent and you get improvement.

Kessler isn't playing like a ***** anymore

Last season Hardy said he cant play them together because they occupy the same spaces on the court.

I think the offensive development @KqWIN highlighted is the biggest thing that has changed, but his steals are also at career high and blocks are almost career low which indicates he is playing the perimeter and passing lanes more than the complementary rim protector role he used to play.

So one element could be him trusting Kessler and not overextending towards the paint on defense as much as he used to.

This season EVERYONE works well with Kessler. And that's because Walter really improved his confidence and aggression and the coaches quite obviously made a point of emphasis for everyone else to engage him on the offense. It is a virtuous, self-feeding cycle: the better Kessler is at aggressively finishing at the basket the more Sexton, Keyonte and Collins trust him and try to feed him the ball.

Yes, Kessler is just another dude this season; there's clearly something else between his shoulders.
I didn't expect it. Good for him, good to see.

Because both players are much better on an individual level this year. Last year they both kind of sucked.