Mirotic/Gibson roles for playoffs

[DanTown8587]

Taj-
I'd love to see Taj get better about clearing out and finding the open spaces on the floor. Too many times when he plays with the starters he either wants to set a high screen or he wants to post up and that's not where Taj needs to be. Some nights he's going to get a chance to post up a guy but if it's not there, don't sit there and take the team out of the offense with your presence. I want Taj to be weak side to a high P&R from Gasol and Rose and then if Taj's man helps, Taj sinks to the rim and either he gets a good look or one of Jimmy/Mike's guys have to slide down to protect the rim and the Bulls get a good look from three. Finishing at the rim is REALLY where Taj is better than Jo and helps out the starters

Taj 0-3 feet: .616% - 65 dunks
Noah 0-3 feet: .515% - 25 dunks

Taj on the defensive end is a much quicker PF than Noah and he's able to cover so much ground in P&R. Taj will go after more shots than either big man and he tends to get himself a touch out of rebounding position but he typically doesn't take himself out of the play. I cannot complain as Taj's defense when he's been healthy has been far and away the most consistent of the four big men.


Niko-
Offensively when he plays the four spot, if a guy isn't full running at him, I want to see Niko take in rhythm threes. When he takes zero dribbles, Niko shoots .354% on threes; when he takes any dribble into his three, he drops to .197%. That's a staggering difference and what I imagine the scouting report says on him. When he makes that drive to the hoop if the three isn't open, I want to see him drive with a little more aggression and willingness to pass. When he's at the 3, he needs to be more aggressive in cutting as that's his role at the 3.

Defensively, I've loved how far he's come on his P&R defense with regards to switches and staying with ball handlers. His quick feet is such an asset in that way. When he's off ball (more so at the 3) he tends to lose contact with shooters a little to easily but that's something that should be minimized if he's playing the four. His big issue at the four is still when to help and rotate but it's a lot cleaner than it used to be.

Overall:
I'd love to see Taj start and play about 24-30 minutes at the four and Niko take the rest of the minutes based on who is playing well and how they're matching up with the other team. Since that's not going to happen, I'd hope that the Bulls limit Niko's minutes at the three and leave more time for Tony and Dunleavy and their shooting at the 3.

[JerrySloan]

Overall:
I'd love to see Taj start and play about 24-30 minutes at the four and Niko take the rest of the minutes based on who is playing well and how they're matching up with the other team. Since that's not going to happen, I'd hope that the Bulls limit Niko's minutes at the three and leave more time for Tony and Dunleavy and their shooting at the 3.

Based on what you'd "love to see" and what you believe "is not going to happen", it appears that you do not have a problem with Mirotic getting very little PT.

Am I making the correct interpretation?

[CharityStripe34]

I love Mirotic's development but I think people overlook Gibson and how his versatility is important. Other than hit threes, Gibson can hit a 16-18 foot jumper, is a pretty good FT shooter and a solid post-up player. He also runs the pick-and-roll with Rose very well and can defend multiple positions. With Gibson starting and Mirotic coming off the bench you get a great mix of defense to offense and vice-verse.

When was the last time Taj hit a 16-18 foot jumper? I honestly don't remember. He seems to have completely abandoned that part of his game.

He doesn't shoot a ton but he can hit an outside jumper from time to time, and smart teams know this and have to at least respect it a bit (compared to Noah). Gibson doesn't have to be a jump-shooter with the starting line-up because you have 3-4 guys who can all hit an outside shot and Gibson can crash the boards for a putback. Just watching that unit play, it makes sense for them to start given the well-balanced floor spacing. Even if Gibson only makes two outside jumpers per game, that at least makes his defender respect that and opens up the lane for a Rose or Butler drive 'n dish.

[Droseisthe1]

If we play the Wizards in the first round, then Mirotic should get big minutes. I think he is the key to countering the Wizards front court by getting nene and Gortat away from the basket.

Definitely. He gave the Wizards so much trouble the last time we played.

[Mech Engineer]

I love Mirotic's development but I think people overlook Gibson and how his versatility is important. Other than hit threes, Gibson can hit a 16-18 foot jumper, is a pretty good FT shooter and a solid post-up player. He also runs the pick-and-roll with Rose very well and can defend multiple positions. With Gibson starting and Mirotic coming off the bench you get a great mix of defense to offense and vice-verse.

When was the last time Taj hit a 16-18 foot jumper? I honestly don't remember. He seems to have completely abandoned that part of his game.

He doesn't shoot a ton but he can hit an outside jumper from time to time, and smart teams know this and have to at least respect it a bit (compared to Noah). Gibson doesn't have to be a jump-shooter with the starting line-up because you have 3-4 guys who can all hit an outside shot and Gibson can crash the boards for a putback. Just watching that unit play, it makes sense for them to start given the well-balanced floor spacing. Even if Gibson only makes two outside jumpers per game, that at least makes his defender respect that and opens up the lane for a Rose or Butler drive 'n dish.

Jump-shooting is also about rhythm. And, Taj doesn't take many jump-shots like he did before because Pau/Niko are better at jump-shots. If someone takes a jump-shot infrequently and is not a shooter, they miss. That is the nature of the game. The difference between Taj and Noah nowadays is Taj looks to score while Noah doesn't even want to try. That tells a defender he doesn't have to guard Noah.

If Noah has to get minutes, he needs to be aggressive even if he is failing. Otherwise, people are looking for his passes.

Thibs has figured out Taj is the better interior finisher and that's why he tries to keep him inside while Niko can shoot/pump-fake better away from the basket.

[johnnyvann840]

If we play the Wizards in the first round, then Mirotic should get big minutes. I think he is the key to countering the Wizards front court by getting nene and Gortat away from the basket.

Definitely. He gave the Wizards so much trouble the last time we played.

Taj was pretty good in the playoffs against the Wizards. By far the best Bull.. and even one of the best players in the entire league for the 1st round.

per 36

21.3 pts, 7.2 rebs, 3 blks

.625 TS%, 26.5 PER

31 MPG.

That said, I think Niko should also play a lot. I hope he does.

[CharityStripe34]

When was the last time Taj hit a 16-18 foot jumper? I honestly don't remember. He seems to have completely abandoned that part of his game.

He doesn't shoot a ton but he can hit an outside jumper from time to time, and smart teams know this and have to at least respect it a bit (compared to Noah). Gibson doesn't have to be a jump-shooter with the starting line-up because you have 3-4 guys who can all hit an outside shot and Gibson can crash the boards for a putback. Just watching that unit play, it makes sense for them to start given the well-balanced floor spacing. Even if Gibson only makes two outside jumpers per game, that at least makes his defender respect that and opens up the lane for a Rose or Butler drive 'n dish.

Jump-shooting is also about rhythm. And, Taj doesn't take many jump-shots like he did before because Pau/Niko are better at jump-shots. If someone takes a jump-shot infrequently and is not a shooter, they miss. That is the nature of the game. The difference between Taj and Noah nowadays is Taj looks to score while Noah doesn't even want to try. That tells a defender he doesn't have to guard Noah.

If Noah has to get minutes, he needs to be aggressive even if he is failing. Otherwise, people are looking for his passes.

Thibs has figured out Taj is the better interior finisher and that's why he tries to keep him inside while Niko can shoot/pump-fake better away from the basket.

I wasn't comparing Gibson to Mirotic as a jump-shooter, as it's clear that Mirotic is a much better shooter than Gibson, though Gibson is also a better shooter than Noah at this point. It makes more sense for Noah to be paired with Mirotic on the front-line, because Mirotic is comfortable playing on the perimeter and thus stretching the floor. Whereas Gibson doesn't really have to hit many outside shots to be very effective he can still score efficiently when surrounded by Gasol, Butler, Rose and Dunleavy.

[mj234eva]

If we play the Wizards in the first round, then Mirotic should get big minutes. I think he is the key to countering the Wizards front court by getting nene and Gortat away from the basket.

Definitely. He gave the Wizards so much trouble the last time we played.

Taj was pretty good in the playoffs against the Wizards. By far the best Bull.. and even one of the best players in the entire league for the 1st round.

per 36

21.3 pts, 7.2 rebs, 3 blks

.625 TS%, 26.5 PER

31 MPG.

That said, I think Niko should also play a lot. I hope he does.

Apparently, the both play pretty well vs the Wiz.

Mirotic (per 36)

22.3 ppg
10.3 rpg
2.3 bpg
1.9 spg
11.6 fta
46.7 3p% (7 3pa)

58.5 TS%, despite shooting just 40% overall, and 68% from the ftl.

[Droseisthe1]

Definitely. He gave the Wizards so much trouble the last time we played.

Taj was pretty good in the playoffs against the Wizards. By far the best Bull.. and even one of the best players in the entire league for the 1st round.

per 36

21.3 pts, 7.2 rebs, 3 blks

.625 TS%, 26.5 PER

31 MPG.

That said, I think Niko should also play a lot. I hope he does.

Apparently, the both play pretty well vs the Wiz.

Mirotic (per 36)

22.3 ppg
10.3 rpg
2.3 bpg
1.9 spg
11.6 fta
46.7 3p% (7 3pa)

58.5 TS%, despite shooting just 40% overall, and 68% from the ftl.

I'm not scared of the Wizards at all. Beal, who's been hurt for a lot of the year, hasn't taken the next step many of us thought he would after last year's playoffs. John Wall is John Wall. Still can't shoot and be relied upon to score down the stretch. And Nene and Gortat won't be able to do what they did to us last year with a bolstered front line we have now, on top of the matchup nightmare Niko presents.

[johnnyvann840]

I'm not scared of the Wizards at all. Beal, who's been hurt for a lot of the year, hasn't taken the next step many of us thought he would after last year's playoffs. John Wall is John Wall. Still can't shoot and be relied upon to score down the stretch. And Nene and Gortat won't be able to do what they did to us last year with a bolstered front line we have now, on top of the matchup nightmare Niko presents.

Derrick is a big game changer.

[FriedRise]

The Wizards have no answer for Mirotic playing the stretch 4. That's a big reason why Niko has been doing so well against them. Nene will not come out to the perimeter and Niko can beat him every time with speed. They can try to use a SF to defend him, but Niko can just post him up since he'll have the size advantage.

The luxury of having a fast 6'10 power forward who can shoot 3's, has above-average passing skills, and finish at the basket.

If we see the Wiz in the first round, I expect Thibs to fully exploit that matchup. All day long. Force Wittman to adjust and that's pretty much GG.

[mj234eva]

I'm not scared of the Wizards at all. Beal, who's been hurt for a lot of the year, hasn't taken the next step many of us thought he would after last year's playoffs. John Wall is John Wall. Still can't shoot and be relied upon to score down the stretch. And Nene and Gortat won't be able to do what they did to us last year with a bolstered front line we have now, on top of the matchup nightmare Niko presents.

Me either. If you asked me which team I was most nervous about playing, if it gets to that point; it's Atlanta.

[DanTown8587]

Overall:
I'd love to see Taj start and play about 24-30 minutes at the four and Niko take the rest of the minutes based on who is playing well and how they're matching up with the other team. Since that's not going to happen, I'd hope that the Bulls limit Niko's minutes at the three and leave more time for Tony and Dunleavy and their shooting at the 3.

Based on what you'd "love to see" and what you believe "is not going to happen", it appears that you do not have a problem with Mirotic getting very little PT.

Am I making the correct interpretation?

I have no problem if Niko isn't in the game at the 3 if the Bulls go with either Dunleavy or Snell primarily behind Jimmy and Kirk doesn't get any minutes at the two.

Fine rotation:

Rose/Broooks
Butler/Snell
Dunleavy/Snell

Any minutes to Kirk then yes, get Niko in the rotation at the 3 instead of that.

[DanTown8587]

If we play the Wizards in the first round, then Mirotic should get big minutes. I think he is the key to countering the Wizards front court by getting nene and Gortat away from the basket.

Definitely. He gave the Wizards so much trouble the last time we played.

Taj was pretty good in the playoffs against the Wizards. By far the best Bull.. and even one of the best players in the entire league for the 1st round.

per 36

21.3 pts, 7.2 rebs, 3 blks

.625 TS%, 26.5 PER

31 MPG.

That said, I think Niko should also play a lot. I hope he does.

Taj game 4 per 36
35.7 points
7.8 rebounds
.839 TS%

Taj games 1-3, game 5 per 36
17.5 points
7.1 rebounds
.577 TS%

Taj was solid in the playoff last year but let's not over exaggerate game 4 (Where Nene didn't play, Booker was in foul trouble, and Taj feasted on Drew Gooden and Al Harrington). I don't want to take anything from Niko's four game per 36 or anything like that, I just will say that Kris Humphries will have a very hard time guarding Niko compared to Taj.

[kyrv]

I've been advocating Taj starting for three years now, but this is just not as simple as it sounds. You try telling last seasons all star, DPOY and ALL NBA 1st Teamer he's being benched. No matter how he's played Noah probably thinks he still has another gear (maybe he does). He wants to be a leader.

It's a politically tough situation, maybe even more so than the Boozer situation.

It's like having a stock that is plummeting but you hang on to it hoping it comes back, but it just keeps dropping..... sometimes, they finally come back, sometimes you have to write off your losses. This is a hard one to sell at this point. Jo may not be done and just needs more time to recover. If Jo does indeed need microfracture surgery, as rumored, then he shouldn't even be playing.

I'm happy to tell him. What's his number?

Risking losing playoff games because he is afraid of upsetting an injured player is not what a good coach does.

[GuardianEnzo]

The Wizards have no answer for Mirotic playing the stretch 4. That's a big reason why Niko has been doing so well against them. Nene will not come out to the perimeter and Niko can beat him every time with speed. They can try to use a SF to defend him, but Niko can just post him up since he'll have the size advantage.

The luxury of having a fast 6'10 power forward who can shoot 3's, has above-average passing skills, and finish at the basket.

If we see the Wiz in the first round, I expect Thibs to fully exploit that matchup. All day long. Force Wittman to adjust and that's pretty much GG.

I wish I shared your optimism, but I see nothing in Thibs' recent history to suggest he's going to abandon his bunker mentality just to do something like exploit a matchup. Whatever minutes Niko gets will mostly be at SF, and we'll try and grind it out against the Wizards with some combination of Noah, Gasol and Gibson.