D'Antoni shorter rotation vs Spurs historically in NBA Playoffs

Where is your source for confirming a 7man rotation?

 

I think Dekker is gonna get more PT tonight than anyone is expecting

 

That's just stubborn. Dekker at least should get some minutes to spell others. Maybe even Harrell here and there. If he really goes with a 7-man rotation tonight..that'll be very frustrating because even if they win, he will be wearing out the players to put up a fight in the next round. Not to mention we still have to win a game 6 as well.

 

I guarantee you that if you put better + more experienced players on the team, the rotation would be expanded. But this isn't something exclusive to D'Antoni. Hell, Adelman was scared to play Brooks until he was forced to.

 

I agree with @The Cat that we probably see a 7 and a half man rotation tonight. I expect some minutes from dekker but not a lot, hence the half.

 

The pragmatic objective is to reach the Western Conference Finals.

 

How is Dekker unplayable at this point? What could possibly go wrong with playing Dekker some minutes...honest question. Harrell, I personally wouldn't mind seeing out there, but many on here have stated his defense is a liability so whatever. But I think Dekker is certainly serviceable with a small lineup.

 

I don't understand how losing your backup center means you move your starting PF to the bench and move your sixth man sparkplug to the starting lineup.

I do not remember a ton of good feelings from when Gordon was put into the starting lineup mid season due to injury. He just doesn't play as well in that role... for obvious reasons.

MDA must really hate/not trust Harrell ... which is kind of weird cause when Clint was injured Harrell played decent enough as a starting center.

I'm not sold on this adjustment at all... but I'm not the coach.

 

And it is my opinion that that objective can be achieved by playing Dekker and/or Harrell some minutes. I don't think it would hurt as much as many estimate it would.

 

I think Dekker will play, for what it's worth. But if he's not looking great he might get pulled quick. All the refs have to do is get ONE guy in foul trouble though and it's BALLGAME...

 

Yeah we will see. I'm definitely more confident on relying on Gordon off the bench than Lou.

 

This is where I'm curious to see what the Rockets do. Rockets HAVE to push the pace. Ryno is going to place most of his minutes tonight at center which means you either keep Ariza at the 4 the whole time he's on the floor or you match Ariza's minutes to Kawhi's. I think they have to let Dekker and Ryno play together and see how it works out.

I thought Dekker had some good minutes in the 2nd quarter last game. He just has to play as active as possible and if he can make a couple of 3s (he will definitely be open) then I think we're in good shape.

 

I'm perfectly ok with it. If we had more capable players, then I would question Mike AntoniO

Heck I don't want to see Samuel scrubby Dekker out there in a playoff game unless it's a blowout or we have had a serious injury. Unfortunately, he will get some playing time because of Nene's injury

 

I think at some point in the playoffs, fresh legs trump a lot of things. Ariza can "not look great" as we've seen as well...for almost the entire game at times. Dekker should be given (in my opinion) time to play through it...even in a game 5. If it means giving other key rotation players some rest......that's invaluable.

All I'm saying is if they end up losing because they are fatigued as a direct derivative of a 7-man rotation...then that's on D'Antoni. It's inexcusable. Your best players are no good if they're tired.

 

Is Dekker's defense that bad? I mean is pretty athletic on the offensive end....can hit the 3 (if he's on) and plays passable defense and can hustle for rebounds. Why can't he play with Ryno?

 

Yeah I didnt understand the lineup change until I started thinking about substitutions.

If you recall Ryan and capela both get subbed at the same time half way through the 1st for NeNe and Gordon typically.

So what I'm assuming now will be Ryan in for capela and Lou in for Gordon at the halfway mark.

 

Youcan't play them both because the idea of Ryan at the5 is to have ultimate space with 5 shooters. The spurs would cheat off dekker, ala Roberson, and force him to beat you. Not an ideal situation.

I think dekker will get some minutes at the 3/4 when Ryan rests and ariza needs rest.