Small ball lineup was an advantage for this team...until it wasn't. Just like hoisting up threes exclusively was our advantage until it wasn't. The difference--and others have said this before--is that it's not the system/concept that failed us; it's the fact that other teams have better personnel to run said system/concept and that killed us. The Lakers can run a small ball lineup but their "small ball" lineup consists of freaking AD and LeBron James. The past few years the Rockets had to operate with sheer perfection to make up for the lack of talent/depth in order to win. A system that tries to operate at 100% efficiency/perfection and sustaining it for a period of time is just unrealistic.
I understand wingspan. And yeah, I'd rather play Tucker than Dwight--most of the time. And I also understand the price issue. But to say that Tucker is just "slightly smaller" than a 7 footer is a spin man. If that was true, we'd be playing in the Finals, not the Lakers. The fact is, we don't have skilled-size, period. And we won't be able to compete against teams that have skilled-size.
I’m with you until that last part. We can compete against skilled size with the right personnel, and If both superstars show up. A JaMychal Green or a Serge Ibaka type would do wonders, too.
I would love for you to find those post about having a advantage because of stats. Stats don't give you advantage. Even if the paper says it you still have to execute it. At the very least create those conditions to give yourself a chance to do what the team is good at. Stats have nothing to do with small ball. The whole NBA uses stats to track other teams best players and defensive schemes. The problem with this team is the lack of game to game adjustments because of poor foresight by the coach. Morey is not a coach he doesn't have system. Just numbers of Pc's and papers that say we are "good at this." "Harden is at his best when." Tucker's corner 3 is made at a higher clip than straight on." Basically stuff coaches should know about their players and teams and incorporate in the team offense and defense. MDA is just a BAD coach not because he lacks knowledge of basketball but because his lack of conviction to do what is needed to win. MDA is the small ball inventor not Morey. I could understand if people complained about the players he finds or fails to find. Random stats though? That every team uses? Seems short sighted. Like every franchise the hot mess we have now was a compromise of players between what Morey could get with assets available, who Harden wants, and who MDA wants for small ball. Morey is just providing information to help us be the best we can with what we got. It is MDA that holds small ball near and dear to his heart refusing to change his style for ONE game to win. He's been trying to prove small ball can win for literally 20 years. Wish Morey never hired this man so you guys wouldn't get things confused.
My last sentence meant to say that if we still got no skilled size, we wouldn't be able to compete. Guys like Ibaka are skilled bigs that we need. Of course they would help. (Not sure JaMychal Green would make a whole lot of difference. He's similar to Covington. It'd be nice to have more of those. But it still wouldn't solve the issue of lack of skilled bigs.)
We lost because we were not mentally tough enough...James aint that guy folks. Not complicated at all- once a team doubles him, its over. Russ aint that skilled, turnover machine and leaves 10pts on the floor each night smoking layups. Finally, our game plan is literally reliant on the refs giving favorable calls- once the offs start and big boy ball starts we expect to be bailed out on every possession we dont jack up a 3...happens every year. Once we see the refs swallow the whistle and allow more physicality, we panic and dig an even deeper hole by jacking up more 3's- but with much more pressure attached to each attempt. They wont go in when it really counts, that's why we don't get blown out when we lose- we hit the 3's when the game is out of reach and its just stat padding. Basically, the team is only as strong as its best player and James just mentally frail- he a front runner. Miami woulda beat us too in a 7 game series. Mental toughness is whats lacking.
How so bro? Draymond didn’t start at the 5 and play the 5 all game. I’m talking about pre-KD warriors
it was intended as a tongue in check joke... utilizing the incorrect original word of susceptible - rather than sustainable... but hey... if you wanna continue to ballyhoo small ball or micro ball or whatever that dumpster fire was... thats on you... lol I stand by my signature quote below - from February... lol
Okay you say this....but Portland...and Denver lost with big men....so what's their excuse. The Heat just pulled of a win with Kelly Olynyk/Meyers Leonard as their biggest players.....so what's the rub here?
all sorts of sets can win on any given game - and the same setups can also lose. Small ball can certainly be an advantageous route on any given night - or any given portion of a game... my b**** has always been about running small ball exclusively... It's all about our teams constant desire to run various things out to the nth degree - instead of realizing its about balance...
Said it once said it a thousand times. with the right roster you can run a similar style and be big. They chose to go extra small. Extra extra small. and that was moronic. beyond that... the Lakers are REALLY good. With Rondo playing like playoff Rondo it’s a really really good team. no version of the Rockets were beating the Lakers. and beyond beyond that... we’re Rockets saying it was rigged?
Chris Paul version beats the Lakers. I dont regret the Capela for Covington trade at all. Especially since Clint was injured. Like Ive been saying, trade Clint, get a situational big(maybe even Christian Woods with picks) and that squad beats the Lakers.
