Mirotic/Gibson roles for playoffs

[JerrySloan]

Let's try again.

If posters are going to talk of reducing Noah's minutes due to substandard performance, it certainly seems reasonable to consider whether Niko's clear offensive superiority at PF should outweigh what was, at least at one time, Gibson's top notch defensive play.

Putting aside Thibs loyalty to and preference for "proven" veterans, it seems clear that since the All-Star game Niko's play - when given at least 30 MPG - has been well above average while Gibson - much like Noah - may or may not still be less than 100% due to ankle problems and has not shown the prowess he displayed last year, either on offense or defense.

I think that based solely on this year's play, the quality of PF performance goes 1.) Gasol, 2.) Mirotic, 3.) Gibson, 4.) Noah and Gasol performs just about as well at Center as at PF while Noah should RARELY, if ever, play PF.

[tedwilliams1999]

I think with the way the past few weeks have been going, it seems clear that Niko is going to wind up being our back up SF, at least to start the playoffs. That's the best way we can maximize the talent that we have. Unfortunately, as we all know, Niko isn't shooting well and he hasn't been very effective lately, at the 3 or the 4 spots. If this continues on in the playoffs, I think we'll find that Niko's minutes will be heavily reduced at the SF position, in favor of either Dunleavy or Snell.

However, Thibs saw what Niko can do when he's playing well from the power forward spot, and the sort of spacing he can provide. If he begins to shoot the ball a bit better, and if he plays better at the defensive end (both big ifs, in my opinion), then I don't think Thibs will shy away from using Niko at the PF position in limited minutes, to spark an offensive run.

Primarily, however, because of our struggles at the defensive end, I think the main line-ups we'll see in the playoffs will include Noah and Gibson, or Gasol and Gibson. Over the past several games, Thibs has shied away from using Noah and Gasol together, except to start the games and to start the 3rd quarter. This is encouraging to see, and I think in the playoffs, Noah will have an even shorter leash. Gibson is playing very well, and he should be entering the game as soon as Noah shows signs of fatigue or poor play. Hopefully this will further limit the time Gasol and Noah spend on the court together.

[Payt10]

It's a matter of philosophy. Do you want to win with offense or defense? IMO individual offense matters more than individual defense. It comes down to shot making. Niko automatically makes the Bulls better on offense just by stepping on the floor as a PF. He brings another defender out of the paint and makes everybody elses job a lot easier.

[JerrySloan]

If Gibson could bring the level of all round D he played at last year, he would deserve more PT than Mirotic but he really hasn't shown that very much this year, whether or not due to playing at less than 100% physically.

I really doubt that Mirotic will be a significant positive factor in the POs if he is limited to between 15 and 20 MPG or even less and I think if that's the case then Rose, Gasol, Butler and Noah are all going to have to play at a consistently high level for them to go anywhere, i.e. even make a good showing in the 2nd round, whomever they might play.

[BullHeaded]

Let the situation dictate it. It may boil down to match ups and countering opposing game plans on both sides of the court. A stretch four may be exactly what the Doctor J ordered in a given match up or situation which would lend to us featuring Mirotic. If a team is spacing us and then going drive/layup crazy we may want to lean more toward Taj. If we're behind and need to microwave some scoring late... Mirotic. If there is a close game, the pace is slow and everyone is sitting in their halfcourt offenses... Taj. Hell... there may be times we're Taj AND Mirotic can make sense. Taj has a decent midrange J and Mirotic has range... if Pau needs a breather but we're desperate to open up space for Derrick and Jimmy, BOTH of them may be the answer.

I'm not going to pretend I know what I'm talking about (my post probably has already revealed that I don't), but I say coach situationally. I think the problem a lot of people have with Thibs is he doesn't coach to the flow of the game enough... he sticks to his plan. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but ultimately I see us blessed with options which allow us to do different things. I don't think Thibs ever had this many toys in his front court. I say Free Thibs!

[Fl_Flash]

I know it won't happen because if it would have Thibs would have done it by now... You've got to separate Gasol and Noah. It's just poor spacing to start off the game. Noah isn't even being guarded anymore and he seems more timid on offense that his rookie year. Noah has stopped driving and rarely even attempt a earth-ball set shot anymore.

28 mins for Gasol/Gibson
20 mins for Noah/Mirotic

I think you'll find the rebounding better as Noah will be playing closer to the basket which is his strong suit anyways. You might actually be able to generate a few putback baskets for Noah as icing on the cake.

Balance the minutes out a bit and everyone should be able to play with effort. The only two players who should be seeing over 30 mins for the playoffs are Rose and Butler. Even then I would see about 36 mins as tops. Don't play Niko at the three anymore. He's an asset as a PF - let him continue to gain confidence as a PF. I think Dunleavy and Snell can adequately man the SF position while Rose/Butler/Brooks and either Hinrich or Moore handle the PG and SG minutes.

Depth was supposed to be a positive for this team. Use it and play harder. Wear your opponent down.

[Ice Man]

Putting aside Thibs loyalty to and preference for "proven" veterans, it seems clear that since the All-Star game Niko's play - when given at least 30 MPG - has been well above average while Gibson - much like Noah - may or may not still be less than 100% due to ankle problems and has not shown the prowess he displayed last year, either on offense or defense.

Since Taj's return on March 20th, he's shooting 64% from the field (admittedly on modest volume), averaging 9.5 rebounds per 36, and by my eye test is playing very good defense. It's not clear to me that Niko right now is a better player than that. Maybe. But Niko has some drawbacks as well as his very obvious strengths.

Truth is I'd like to see Pau 36, Taj 30, Niko 30. That is assuming that the past month's Taj is the real Taj, and assuming that Jo won't suddenly recover in the playoffs.

[TheSuzerain]

It's stupid because they should both be able to play 15-20 minutes at PF.

Instead of that rational solution, we continue to pair Gasol and Noah.

[mj234eva]

It's stupid because they should both be able to play 15-20 minutes at PF.

Instead of that rational solution, we continue to pair Gasol and Noah.

You can solve this by having Gibson play most of his minutes at C.

[CharityStripe34]

The Gasol/Gibson combo should start and the Noah/Mirotic combo can come off the bench. The Gasol/Noah combo looks awkward mainly due to spacing issues, and takes Noah out of his comfort zone. Gibson is much more seasoned than Mirotic and is a far better defensive big thanks to his athleticism and versatility. Mirotic can come off the bench against the opponent's benchers and do what he does at the 4 spot, which is his natural position. I love Noah's passion but his body is betraying him. With Gibson and Gasol playing crunch time you have two guys who can make a FT as well as protect the paint together. Noah's FT% has drastically dropped which makes him a liability in crunch time.

[kodo]

It's stupid because they should both be able to play 15-20 minutes at PF.

Instead of that rational solution, we continue to pair Gasol and Noah.

You can solve this by having Gibson play most of his minutes at C.

Not a good enough rebounder. And giving up offensive boards is what kills our defense.

Defensive Rebounding %
Pau 27.6%
Nikola 22.3%
Noah 22.1%
Nazr 21.6%

Taj 14.6%
Dunleavy 12.7%
McDermott 12.4%
Butler 11.1%
Snell 10.5%
Rose 8.6%

We're 28th in the league in giving up offensive boards to the opponent. We can't afford to further slide in rebounding by playing Taj at center.

[meekrab]

It's stupid because they should both be able to play 15-20 minutes at PF.

Instead of that rational solution, we continue to pair Gasol and Noah.

Yep. Gotta start those vets so you can give up 8 minutes of easy looks to every stretch 4 in the league.

[musiqsoulchild]

It'll be OK.

Will be the first time a team lost in the playoffs because they had too many good players. Which we dont.

So, we wont.

[mj234eva]

It's stupid because they should both be able to play 15-20 minutes at PF.

Instead of that rational solution, we continue to pair Gasol and Noah.

You can solve this by having Gibson play most of his minutes at C.

Not a good enough rebounder. And giving up offensive boards is what kills our defense.

Defensive Rebounding %
Pau 27.6%
Nikola 22.3%
Noah 22.1%
Nazr 21.6%

Taj 14.6%
Dunleavy 12.7%
McDermott 12.4%
Butler 11.1%
Snell 10.5%
Rose 8.6%

We're 28th in the league in giving up offensive boards to the opponent. We can't afford to further slide in rebounding by playing Taj at center.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. See here as well.

[Rerisen]

If he didn't bench Keith freaking Bogans, and Carlos Boozer of all people, he's definitely not going to bench Noah.

[Ice Man]

I wouldn't be so sure of that. See here as well.

Where are you going with that? The stats show that Taj is solid at competing for contested rebounds, but for whatever reasons, he doesn't get many uncontested rebounds. Does that support the point that you are making?

[Ice Man]

If he didn't bench Keith freaking Bogans, and Carlos Boozer of all people, he's definitely not going to bench Noah.

Yeah that ain't happening.

[Payt10]

If he didn't bench Keith freaking Bogans, and Carlos Boozer of all people, he's definitely not going to bench Noah.

That's why I always say some of his best coaching decisions have come when his hand is forced due to injuries. It took 53 injuries to Rip before Jimmy eventually got his starting spot. Korver never got that opportunity because Bogans never missed a game. Mirotic and Snell emerged only when Taj and Hinrich/Dunleavy went down. Had none of those injuries happened, I find it likely Mirotic is probably joining McDermott somewhere on the bench this time of year instead of being a key part of the team. It's a big negative in my book to have a coach with that issue.

[logical_art]

Gibson should be Bogans'd, i.e. start and play 18 minutes a night. Noah backs up Pau. Mirotic backs up Gibson.

Won't happen though.

[Alswank87]

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.