Post#146 » by jeeph » Tue May 10, 2016 5:09 am
They don't need to blow it up. But they do need to restructure. Too much overlap of skills and lack of rotation flexibility.
Horford and Milsap are both good but they are too similar. Neither are great rim protectors or rebounders. Look what a difference a lesser talent like Humphries made when in the game. He's a banger and boarder. But compliments either of the main two.
Teague and Schroeder are the two best penatrators and creators but they are both true PG's. Can't put them on the court at the same time. So when one is out there all the defense has to do is shift to one side, no backside pressure.
Coach Bud might be a great coach but there is only so much you can do when you can't alter your rotations to match up with opponents. Their bigs aren't big, and their smalls are too small. So they can't play to overpower you and they can't out small ball you. All they can do is medium ball.
If I were them I would trade Schroeder for a combo guard, either 3 & D or slasher. They would both work with Teague to go small ball or just a normal line up. I would trade Milsap while his value is high for an athletic wing that can guard 3's or play a small ball 4. And sign a center to put Horford at the 4 where he has always belonged. Can still make Horford the small ball 5 in stretches.
^^ That right there, even if they had less overall talent, like my Humphries comment, would make the team more able to compete against anyone. They match up well with teams like Boston because Boston is also stuck with medium ball, but against teams like the Cavs/GSW small ball or the Spurs big ball and they find themselves with major mismatch problems. Match ups are quite an important factor in bball, trying to out team play opponents against teams that out match you is not conducive to success, especially in the playoffs.