Assuming that we are going to face the Kings, would you support a different starting lineup for this series? The Kings will be expecting, and planning for: Steve Cat JJ Cato Yao I suggest we try: Steve JJ Boki Cato Yao Super subs: MoT and Cuttino, with JJ moving to the 3. I know it sounds nuts, but hear me out. 1. Our starting lineup did not work against the Kings this year. It had two problems - giving up layups and too many turnovers. I think that moving JJ to the 2 as a starter will stabilize the backcourt. 2. Boki vs Peja and JJ vs Christie and Cuttino vs 2nd string is a better set of matchups for us than we would otherwise have. Boki has shown that he can defend against long 3s with a good shooting touch such as Jalen Rose and Rashard Lewis. I think that Peja is in the same mold. We know that Boki can't defend the physical-type 3, but that's not what we face in this series. In addition, I think JJ gives up a few too many inches on both offense and defense against Peja. 3. Our bench currently only has one scorer on it - MoT. I think if we add Cuttino to the attack from our bench, it will give us more energy and more balance. You really have to have the correct mind-set to come off of the bench and give your team a boost. Both Cat and MoT want the shots and believe that they will make them. I know that this goes against the philosphy of just playing your best five players, but you have to have balance. When you have Steve, Cat, JJ, and Yao on the court together, you have 3 out of 5 players who do best with the ball in their hands. JJ is the only scorer of the bunch who doesn't need to massage the ball. I believe that this lack of balance has been what hurts our ball movement at times this year - and we all know that the Rockets are a great offensive team when they move the ball well. What do you all think?
I honestly dont see our Starting Lineup changing for the playoffs. However it is possible that JVG might show more confidence in Nachbar to get him some minutes at SF. • Starters: Francis Mobley JJ Cato Yao • 3 man bench rotation: Taylor MJ Weatherspoon • Situational players: Nachbar/Padgett JVG has been up and down on Nachbar/Pike all year. With Nachbar's performance last night it might be his turn to get minutes and it looks like Pike will ride the end of the bench with Wilkes.
I posted a similar idea in another thread. Although I would start Padgett at 4 than Boki because he played well against the Kings last time and has the mobility and touch to play them well. I like the idea of bringing Mobley off the bench as instant offense too.
JVG - doesn't tweak the line up Padge and Nachbar need more minutes I think we need weatherspoon to ROUGH up some folx he is far too soft. . he like a shorter Mo T I would not mind the original line up at all. I think bringing in Cuttino as a BOBBY JACKSON type would be great Rocket River
this was form the chronicle "I'm also starting (Scott) Padgett," Van Gundy said, "instead of (Kelvin) Cato." Asked if Padgett was starting to give the Rockets a better matchup against the SuperSonics' mobile, perimeter shooting power forwards, Van Gundy repeated, "I'm starting Padgett instead of Cato." Does this mean padgett is now starting. link http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2502242
I don't think this is a real good idea good idea. I think it would be fine for the regular season when Cat, Steve, and other players are going to be resting occasionally, but I really think that Cat is going to be playing 45 min a game in the playoffs, which doesn't leave much time for Boki in there early. Honestly, I don't expect Boki to make it in the game in a playoff situation, nor has he earned the right from his play this season. Good thought, but I think you have to go with your big guns as much as possible in the playoffs which means it will be down to a 7 man rotation. No room in there for Boki. I'd like to see Padgett get more time in there if anyone is going to be there.
If our problems were giving up too many layups and too many turnovers, then shouldn't we bench Steve instead of Cat? Cat plays much better defense than Steve and Steve is one of the league leaders in turnovers. This also provides the scoring off of the bench that you wanted.
You pose some interesting and relevant points, but I say we go with what got us there!!! SF Cat JJ Cato Yao with the following 10 man rotation: 6th man: MoT 7th man: MJ 8th man: Spoon 9th man: Boki 10th man: Padgett Pike, AG, and Wilks play minimal roles off the bench.
Well, you can't bench Steve. Cuttino, however, has been successful in a sparkplug role before. The problem I have is that if we go with what got us there, we probably won't get anywhere. If you keep our current hand, the only possible variables are JVG's coaching in a series and Yao figuring out how to deal with Sacramento's big men in a hurry. I think JVG's coaching would be cancelled out by poor basketball IQ, so our only hope is Yao. I'm not discounting this - Yao does have a significant advantage over Miller and Floppy - but he has to deal with the double teams correctly and not get screwed by the refs. If we get good calls from the refs, Yao could dominate the series - and if we hit the resultant outside shots, we could win. I still think that breaking up the not-so-dynamic duo could be the smart thing to do.
That's the only thing that will get us a championship. The dynamic duo can only get us to a #7 or #8 seed for the PO. I'd like to keep SF3 and ship out Cat (or relegate him to the 6th man). Cat is the only one that does not know how to pass the ball around the perimeter. SF3 JJ Yao + a pair of newly acquired Fs (or maybe we can try Powerbar at 3) + a veteran PG that can log in 25-30 min should work.
I also think thats a great idea and im all for it.. I hoped Boki could develop into enough of a player that he would take JJ's job and that would force JJ to start at the 2 instead. SF3 - I think he would have less TO's playing w/ JJ instead of Cat JJ - there to make smart decisions and hit the 3's. (we will miss Cat taking it to the rim though) Boki - inside / outside threat and plays tough defense Cato - defensive/ rebound specialist Yao - nuff said Cat would be the first off the bench and could relieve SF3 and JJ (didnt Cat come into this league as a PG?) MoT would still get tons of minutes cuz Yao has no stamina and Cato is foul prone. (actually all our big guys are foul prone) J
Cato on Webber - Cato is taller and webber can't jump. Webber is will hesitate or force. Advantage Rockets.
Not nuts. I say do it. I've always liked Cat coming off the bench when SF was on the court. Plus, Boki gives us open court running and rebounding (like a mad man!).
This lineup worked really well for us in the preseason, I wish JVG had experimented with it some more in the regular season. He didn't though, and for that reason I don't think we'll see this lineup in the playoffs.
Considering that JVG has thrown the same lineup out there day in and day out, barring injuries and suspensions, I don't think he will start tweaking now. At least not with the starting lineup. Boki could get some extra minutes, but only an injury would give him a start in the playoffs.
