Posted this in the game thread. But one of the first possessions in the third quarter highlights our entire issue with the starting line-up on offense.
Umm yeah they did. Lakers won in 08-09 trumping out Fisher Kobe and Ariza throughout the playoffs. Next season they ran Fisher Kobe and Artest
Followed by great plays by both players on both ends of the floor. Care to play this game for the rest of the season, wasting time and energy complaining and analyzing every play, blowing one or the other out of proportion to convince ourselves that something is truly indeed a certain way? Enjoy the game a little more and b**** a little less.
Let's list all the "playmakers" on the Spurs '99 title team that destroyed the league. I'll start: Spoiler .
You posted this: It made it sound like those were the players starting during both rings. I get what you're saying now. But it's irrelevant. Because even Derek Fisher is a better PG than Bev. Additionally the Lakers had one of the best passing big men of all time in Pau Gasol playing for them. And the triangle actually uses a passing big man as a focal point of the offense. It's comparing apples to oranges with our current situation.
If we don't win a ring it won't be because of Ariza and Beverly's lack of playmaking. It's going to be because of terrible free throw shooting and not having a proper 1-2 punch in the playoffs (Harden and Dwight don't dominate at the same time)
Things don't happen in a vacuum. Most of the time it isn't a single reason that causes things. It's just always worth it to minimize your flaws.
I cringe every time Beverley dribbles past half court. Which happens in a game way more times than it should.
We made two trades and we have an "extended starting lineup" building great chemistry. Can we please let this grow and leave the units as is for maybe just one month. All we need to do is establish DMo early and let the units stay as is...no changes, at least until after the ASG break.
Fisher is a lot better than Bev. I agree with the OP. Watching BOTH of them play is definitely tough. The offensive inconsistency at these PG and SF is a bigger concern than most would like to mention. I believe Ariza is in a slump, and that his defense still justifies his current play, which will improve eventually. Bev, on the other hand, is not a great shooter, but he shot well in the beginning of this season. Good defender, but who was guarding Irving in the second half, especially the 4th, against the Cavs? I think moving Bev to the bench is a better option than moving Ariza. If moving him to the bench isn't possible, then decrease his minutes and play Canaan and Shved more. Both are promising players. Decreasing Ariza's minutes and increasing Pap's and Brewer's PT should also be considered. We have decent depth at PG and SF, McHale needs to tinker with the rotation and put faith in his bench.
You can't take Ariza out of the lineup - his defensive presence far outweighs his offensive struggles. Beverley on the other hand... His defense hasn't been top notch for a while now so his absence would be less felt.
Yeah, OP needs to always talk negative and suggest changes so he sounds smart. In this era, only changes make you sound smart. No such thing and letting the team chemistry grow,...that's for weak-minded people with no imagination. That's the way posters like this actually think.
Oh c'mon, having Dragic would be amazing! Regardless, McHale can make this current roster much better if he adjusts the rotation. Our bench has talent and maybe McHale isn't used to it, but he needs to work it out. Smith, Canaan, Shved, Pap, Brewer, Jones (hopefully), Terry. This current roster can definitely compete with the right rotation. Dorsey still sucks though
Exactly this. Ariza is such an important player for us. I remember last year in the first quarter of every game we would almost always score 30+ and I'd regularly feel it was possible to score near 40. This year we struggle to score ~25 early. The starting line-up has issues. Replacing Bev (I think waiting until the all star break is valid) will likely help this a lot.
