Post#67 » by Michaellam1987 » Tue Mar 3, 2020 4:52 pm
Another disappointing while embarrassing losses to short handed Bulls. Sometimes, I really can't understand the concept of load management, why need to let Seth and KP take day off? This will only increase the burden of other starters, because we are NOT yet arriving to the stage that we can comfortably beat lottery team without our full team. Yes, Seth and KP is refreshed, but THJ/Luka/DFS is more tired and may have higher chance to suffer from injury, so what is the point? I would rather play the full team unless any of players are injured and can't play (e.g. Brunson and Powell). Just manage the rotation and minutes better can help to solve the problems. If Rick really want load management, then just let ALL of our key guys to take rest in appropriate game, e.g. the game vs DEN at home (2nd night of back to back after game @ SAS), and game @ LAC (1st game of back to back with game @SAC in 2nd night). Bad load management scheme has costed us 3 very winnable games already (1 with ATL, 1 with CHI, 1 with WAS).
We better mix and match of our starters and our bench. Our bench is playing extremely bad recently, so never let them play together for even 1 minute. Make sure we have either one of KP/Luka on court for the whole 48 minutes, or to the lessor extent, at least with one of them in the whole 2nd half of the game. When we play Luka, play more Maxi and THJ with him, when we play KP, play more Curry and Wright with him, DFS has to play heavy minutes no matter in either situation, given that he is irreplaceable with the constant poor play of Jackson and MKG. This is to ensure we have balanced ball handling, shooting and defense.
Play WCS and or Boban more whenever possible, this can help save some more energy from KP/DFS/Maxi, and keep them fresher in potential late tight game situation. If Barea's shot or drive is not falling, while he also cant buy any offensive charges from referee, just don't play him, let Wright takes all of his minutes. Rick has to encourage Wright to take all open 3 pts shot, and drive hard to draw fouls. Wright is too passive offensively recently and this has been killing us recently with Brunson's absence.
Given Luka's conditioning is bad recently, Tell Luka to reallocate his energy wisely, don't waste energy to fight for rebound, just focus on the drive and share the ball to open shooters. Try for 1-2 step back 3s, and if they are not falling, stop taking any more of them. Never spend time to pray for call from the referee, just go back to play defense immediately to avoid fast break opportunities (we are one of the worst in allowing fast break points, and I strongly think that is related to Luka). Let Curry/THJ/Wright to initiate the offense and try to catch and shoot some open 3s to get the shooting feel back first, especially when he is tired and suffering from tons of turnovers etc. This is actually very important, let's don't forget Luka will always have the strongest defender from opposite team everytime when he is on the court, that mean THJ/Curry is facing lessor defender, I would rather have them leading the offensive, they are actually on fire offensively, why having them standing on the 3pt line and wait for Luka's pass?
For Lee/MKG/Jackson, Rick need to make up his mind asap who to play the majority of the back up 3/4 minutes, it is difficult to build momentum while their playing game vary too much night in and night out.
