Really, what was your and many others take during his slump when he was worn down and deferring? It's all about the timing. That's what he's doing. He's carrying the team when things get shaky. That is the point. Putting the team on his back. Beyond numbers. The issue moving on is doing that in 4 straight 7 game series. That's when your help rises or falls so we'll see.
I don't think he was worn down, I think he's been dealing with a shoulder injury, which many of us predicted he was going through some sort of injury that was hampering his game.
I still don't understand what this means. It's his job to carry this team. You want to be called a franchise player, an All-NBA talent, a top 10 player? You better damn well carry the team night in and night out. Steph/Jokic/Shai/Luka/Giannis/LeBron/Embiid don't get the luxury of having bad months.
The good news is he's done that for a good chunk of the season. But what has to go away are those just utterly trash games where it'd almost be better if he were off the floor. He can't disappear in games; ever, if you want to be included in the elite of the elite in the NBA.
That's where I think Domas has surpassed him this season. His consistency is just utterly remarkable and the fact that even if the team is going through a down-turn or not giving energy, he's out there grinding and continuing to put up huge numbers. I want Fox to develop that mindset as well; you don't get games off.
