Maybe I'm overly optimistic but...
I've had a couple of things that really annoy me about a Bud lead team.
#1 He goes too far into his bench with 12 person rotations even in the playoffs
#2 He doesn't play his stars enough, ESPECIALLY GIANNIS.
Well, this year has been different. The rotation has definitely been tighter all year long. We have 2 roster spots open, and the 3 rookies almost never see meaningful minutes. Outside of garbage team or health issues we dont go beyond 10 deep and even then Thanasis is #10 and gets only a few minutes a game. We've criticized the top 8 is more important in the playoffs vs the top 12, and it seems the team is changing that.
Giannis is absolutely playing a lot more minutes. He's being used like a normal MVP superstar is used. His minutes last year were 30.4 and year before 32.8, and this season hes around 34.1 per game. But not just the overall minutes, its the fact that Giannis is playing entire 4th quarters when necessary. Big moments or tight games, Bud would robotically just take him out, not anymore. Tons of games and big wins Giannis got 36,38,39,40 minutes (not OT games).
#3 His drop D has been figured out.
#4 We never switch and even if we do Lopez is a disaster.
Well we have seen the team, especially when Jrue arrived, they are experimenting with different D's. There's been a heck of a lot more switching and even I think a game or two ago they sprinkled in some zone.
We have Tucker now, and we saw him switch against the Celtics the other night, so there could be Bud's answer when Lopez becomes unplayable.
#5 we suck closing out games.
#6 we suck out of time out game clinching plays. The old Khris double teamed prayer off of one backfoot never works and never fools anyone.
This team has had some great games with clutch plays and performances during this win streak. Its not all perfect with letting 76ers go to OT and giving up a wide open 3 vs the celtics. Yet there's definitely been some growth. Also vs the celtics DDV blocks a shot with 35 seconds left. Lopez Blocks a shot with a 2 seconds left. Smart is forced to take a TO to avoid a 5 second violation. They had 3-4 good defensive plays before blowing it to Theis and he just missed.
On #6 I'm Still not confident we call good ATO's to win a game.
But the first 5 critiques I have of Bud, seems like they are being addressed. And its making me feel there's a chance things wont be the same this time around.
I also have a critique when we get stuck watching Giannis slam into a wall and there's no movement, but that seems to be working itself out as well. We have the dunker spot, Giannis is making better decisions and his assists are going through the roof, and Jrue does create some offense at times. So maybe there's some growth there as well.