madmaxmedia wrote:clipperlover wrote:madmaxmedia wrote:
Something along these lines makes sense as their returns would need to be staggered. Beating the Pels was great because Lue can focus on the best way possible to re-integrate Norman before the play-in without having to win one of the last 2 games.
Staggering returns helps to slowly integrate. More importantly, staggering returns keeps the opponents coaching staff working harder to figure out what you are doing.The more time they are tied up trying to figure out the unknowns, the less time they have to implement those game plans. Many teams are killed in a playoff series because they exhausted their options and can no longer adjust. Because of the injuries, We have yet to implement a lot of options and line-ups that will baffle the opponents.
Here a just a few to get excited about (many more):
PG, Powell, Kawhi, Covington, Zu
PG, Powell, Kawhi, Covngton, Morris
Mann, Powell, PG, Kawhi, Covington
Mann, Kennard, Kawhi, Covington, Hartenstein
Our bench scoring is currently #4 in the league. The pressure we will put on opponents to have to stick with their starters longer than normal because we can always keep a PG, Powell and/or Kawhi on the floor is exciting to think about.
Ty is gonna get a chance to work the same magic as last playoffs, but this time from a position of strength rather than trying to fill holes. PG and Kawhi are the only two that are constants in the lineup, the rest of the players can be put together in combinations as situations and matchups require (though obviously certain guys will get more MPG over time, we probably all agree on the general distribution.) I think some of our best lineups (until Kawhi gets back) are gonna have PG, Norm, and RoCo together, how can opposing teams game plan that when even we don't really know how they'll play together?
I really hope Norm gets a game or 2 to warm up before the play-in...
If we get past the Grizz, Kawhi should definitely try to get on the court vs the Suns even if it's some Willis Reed cameo. But if we struggle against Memphis, I wouldn't be mad if he decided to wait until next year. We need to have a realistic shot at the whole enchilada or it's not worth the risk.
We could fall flat with what will be virtually a pick-up team--or we could catch lightning in a bottle unleashing PG, Norman and then Kawhi and their fresh legs on a weary NBA.
