Niko for 6th man?

[EastBayFJ]

Niko is a 1st option and at worst a 2nd option .

You don't play this type of player as your 6th man unless the player is James Harden and you're the Thunder

And we all saw how that played out

[jnrjr79]

If he can be a passable pick and roll defender and be more determined in contact to fight over the top of screens...then absolutely

So which of Noah and Pau is headed to the bench?

Or do you think the Niko at the 3 experiment has gone well enough that he could start there, rather than just play it when matchups allow?

Pau

But Pau finishes with Niko , Buckets , Snell and Rose .

I like Pau as a rim protector one on one or as a help defender on post ups however where he's weak is on dribble penetration and the perimeter has been broken . In half court grind down which most playoff hoops is about...especially in the 4th ..a slower paced more deliberate half court offense suits him much better on both ends of the floor

You may want Niko to start over Pau, but if Thibs is coaching the team (though that appears to be a big "if" at this point), then I see basically a 0% chance that your All-Star starter, 18.6PPG, 11.8RPG, 2.0 BLKPG, 22.88 PER power forward is going to be coming off the bench in favor of a second year guy. It seems a lot more likely that Niko becomes your super 6th man next year.

[RedBulls23]

When I think about it again, I agree with the majority here. If he had been doing this since mid Jan to Feb, then I think you could make an arguement for him.

Oh well...there is always next year maybe.

[EastBayFJ]

So which of Noah and Pau is headed to the bench?

Or do you think the Niko at the 3 experiment has gone well enough that he could start there, rather than just play it when matchups allow?

Pau

But Pau finishes with Niko , Buckets , Snell and Rose .

I like Pau as a rim protector one on one or as a help defender on post ups however where he's weak is on dribble penetration and the perimeter has been broken . In half court grind down which most playoff hoops is about...especially in the 4th ..a slower paced more deliberate half court offense suits him much better on both ends of the floor

You may want Niko to start over Pau, but if Thibs is coaching the team (though that appears to be a big "if" at this point), then I see basically a 0% chance that your All-Star starter, 18.6PPG, 11.8RPG, 2.0 BLKPG, 22.88 PER power forward is going to be coming off the bench in favor of a second year guy. It seems a lot more likely that Niko becomes your super 6th man next year.

If Niko starts he's a 23 and.9 allstAr himself that actually provides more benefit to Rose and Butler's game

[kdapiton]

No but he'll likely get something more prestigious

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