D'Antoni shorter rotation vs Spurs historically in NBA Playoffs

I understand what you're saying brother. But I guess I don't think Dekker sucks like many on here think. He's not a bad player with a nice useful skillset. I can think of worse options than Dekker to be left open out there...just my 2 cents.

 

You really think Dekker is a worse 3-point threat than Roberson?

 

Trez has a lack of defense and rebounding, but no worse - and in fact better than - Ryno. He doesn't have Ryno's range and I get why that's a more valuable skill set than what Trez does bring...

But as much as doubling, tripling, quadrupling, whatever down on more, more, more, more, more offense and range has worked, at some point you have to realize you have to be able to have some rim running, interior offense and rebounding in the game.

Harden said it perfectly last game in the post-game on court interview. Rockets need to push pace, they can't push pace if they can't rebound. Ryan Anderson is allergic to rebounding.

But beyond that, the change seems to force the Rockets into changes all across the board. So now who guards Kawhi to start the game?? Ariza, with Harden on LMA? Who plays PF off the bench?? Can Ryno replace Gordon's sparkplug type offense off the bench?? Will Lou step up off the bench??

And maybe the answer to all the above questions are positvie, and the reality is Nene is out.

But it certainly seems an easier change to me to just keep everything status quo except bringing Trez off the bench where Nene would have been, and adjusting from there if it isn't working great. As others have noted, the Rockets have either been blowing the Spurs out, or keepign the game close until the 4th quarter.

I really hate this move... which hopefully means it works.

 

We just have to hope coach sees something that we don't in his decision making. I think riding a smaller rotation to the detriment of fatigue is a way of shooting yourself in the foot. Even "bad" players can play some minutes here and there the game would not be lost as a direct result of that...although I'm sure plenty on here would attribute to that...

 

It's not that I don't think highly of him and think he has a useful skillset. It's in regards to how they would guard us and our train of thought having Ryan play the 5.

He wasn't a good shooter and by no means do I think he is as bad as Roberson, just stating the problem with pairing them together.

 

Beverley nor Ariza are better wide open 3point shooters than Dekker...(if they are better..not by much). I can totally see Dekker knocking down a couple of rainbows because the Spurs sagged as you suggested. That would serve the purpose of having 5 weapons out there.

 

The data absolutely proves the exact opposite. If you want I will post the numbers but it's not favorable at all in favor of dekker. Quite quite the opposite in fact.

I like dekker so that's not a slight it's just the reality.

 

We have been way more effective playing a fast game. The Spurs are the ones that will get worn down. There is speculation that Poppy rested his starters in the 4th Q game 4 in preparation for game 5, he decided game 4 was gone, so rest his starters & get ready for game 5. I say push the tempo, push the oldass Spurs, go in hard, fast & focused. Press them. stress them. beat them like they owe us money. Go Rockets!!

 

it's ok I believe you regarding the Data. I guess some times I go by player mechanics, how they move, skill set and just gut feeling. Things that unfortunately can't be backed up by data. To be clear I'm not a Dekker only fan or proponent of his.

I just feel he's serviceable to spell minutes for other key guys and that could go a long way in winning and preservation.

 

We are in agreeance

 

I'm worried because there's a correlation between bad shooting and tired legs ...

If condensing the rotation means our guys don't have the legs at the end to run and knock down shots ; you would have been better off playing a worse player to give them a rest .

I just can't stand to see Ariza out there for 40+ , he's already lost a step and we would be compounding his streaky shooting ( which is how we can balance his matchup with Leonard )

Dekker should play 15-20 minutes .

He's looked rusty ( which happens when you don't play ) ; but he will hustle and make good plays on D and grab some rebounds

 

Fair enough. Who's to say he would "screw" up in those 2-4 minute stretches? What "screw ups" are you referring to that could be a possibility? Compare your answer with any other lapse or screw-up with any of our other rotation players not named Harden or Gordon. Is that fair?

 

I think there are more positives than negatives for Dekker to play...even if he hasn't played significant real minutes in 5 weeks. Fresh legs are fresh.

 

Short rotation with our bench is just assinine

 

I honestly don't mind it. When your 6th and 7th man are Lou Williams and Ryan Anderson, they deserve big minutes.

I'd go seven with a sprinkling of Montrezl.

 

Doesn't Dekker actually shooting the corner three really well?

Edit: He particularly likes the right corner: http://www.thedreamshake.com/2017/3/3/14795968/danger-sam-dekkers-three-point-shooting-is-in-decline

 

Ok, but you're referring to Clint making those "screw ups"......he's a young player but he's a key rotation player nonetheless. Take those key instances you exemplified and move them later on into the 4th (assuming Rockets and Spurs are neck to neck further into the 4th).

Imagine the Rockets key players are too fatigued to hustle for rebounds, loose balls defend etc (this is possible). Who do you blame then?

Do you really believe playing Dekker is more of a detriment than benefit when it comes to simply spelling fatigue?