It has to be that TT won't always result in a good matchup. I know LOFs will be anxious to place the blame squarely on Bev vs. Lin, but (1) we had the same kind of slow starts w/ Utah and the Clips when Lin + TT started, and (2) we didn't have those slow starts in preseason when Bev started without TT (vs. Pacers in Manila and vs. ORL at home). The very first time we lost a Q1 was also the game when Asik returned from injury and TT was trotted out for the first time. I honestly don't care who starts at the 1, but it has to be clear by now that TT does not and will not work for lengthy stretches -- especially when we're playing teams full of sharpshooters like the Lakers and the Clippers. GSW would absolutely murder us with that lineup. I think it might work if we had better team perimeter defense... in a perfect world, wouldn't good perimeter defense ultimately force teams into the paint to be shut down by TT? As it stands, we just let shooting teams rain 3s -- meanwhile, TT stands around clogging the paint for our own guys. Unless and until we have a great leap in perimeter defense, I say give it up. I have a strong feeling the Clippers will steamroll us again tonight if we stick to TT.
After watching all of the game so far I blame James Harden. I have seen him many times that the ball and hold it for 10 seconds just to take a contested three pointer or wave off his teammates so he can play isolation ball. It's also obvious he has not expand his game during the offseason. He still plays in slow motion And is ruining the flow of the offense. Doing the preseason they had better ball movement and everyone with more confidence in their job
TT is bad offensively and defensively if teams have some outside shooting, because neither Dwight or Omer leave the paint, and if the other team has 4 guys that can shoot from outside the paint they are playing 4 on 3 out there. TT does not work - it is a situational solution against a few specialized lineups, what I don't understand is that Morey knows this, and even said we would not be playing Asik and Howard together - but yet, this is where we are....IMO, Morey is the team leader, if he knows it is not working he should force the coach to play the right guys. If Mchale is too stupid or stubborn to do it, then force him to... Just my .02 DD
Parsons/Asik - get cold early. Used to be fed by Lin Bev - not a good facilitator Harden - Iso Dwight - needs a facilitator/still struggling A slow start against the Clippers may be excusable, but definitely not against teams like the Bobcats or Lakers. There were slow starts last season too, but it's worse now due to the nature of the new starting lineup.
TT can not score and can not defend outside shooters. Parsons and Bev are in a shooting slump and Harden is the only one who can score and doesn't defend. So, we can not score because Harden's ISO is doubled or tripled. We can not defend the outside shooters because Parson is slow, Bev is hurt and Harden has no desire. The first quarter in Lakers game is the perfect example of what is wrong with our starting lineup.
Considering that the Rockets was able to turn it on and come back from 2 very large deficits (Utah and Lakers), I tend to agree it's more of a mindset or EFFORT than ability or mismatch.
Here goes your answer from Lin. “It’s a mindset more than anything,” Rockets guard Jeremy Lin said. “If we didn’t have the talent or the ability, that’s a different thing. It’s just mindset. And it’s not just the starting five. Last night, the second unit, we didn’t come in with that spark we were supposed to. We have to all come out right when the jump ball is tipped off ready to play.”
Here is what Howard said , “Nobody is going to win a game like that,” Howard said. “We understand what we have to do against this team. We’ll see tomorrow if guys’ heads are in the right place. I take it on me and James (Harden) that we make sure we get guys going in the first quarter. We can’t have quarters when we’re giving guys 30 to 40 points and expect to be a great defensive team and also a championship-caliber team. I have to do a better job leading these guys and making sure we come out with a much better effort.”
What I don't understand is why the local sports reporters don't question McHale about the continued use of TT. I don't recall any nba analyst who thought it would work and now we have data showing it contributes to slow starts. Yet nobody has the balls to ask McHale tough questions when he talks about trying to fix the slow starts.
Move Parsons to starter at PF (until Asik is moved) and start Garcia at SF. I don't have a solution for Harden not playing D and refusing to participate in organized plays. I guess bench him every time he goes rogue. **** is getting old fast.
I actually like that idea, if McHale would then play: Lin, Brewer, Casspi, D-Mo & Asik off the bench. It's time to use 10 guys! Totally agree with the latter.
The Jazz at home aren't bad. However, the games played at TC (eg Cats, lakers etc) shouldn't have any reason to start out slower than usual.
WTF are you talking about? Parsons, black? Bev not being 100% is not a mental thing. You're making your own statement, nothing about mine.
