2022/23 Rotation Thread

[winforlose]

So in most rotation threads people break down first and second line. I don’t like that approach for this team because there should never be a time when we use only backups. Instead I will list our starters and talk about minutes. Then talk about who plays with who.

Starting 5: Dlo, Ant, MCD, KAT, Gobert

Based on history Dlo plays 32 MPG, Ant 34, MCD 26, KAT 33, Rudy 32.

48 x 5 = 240 minutes. Assuming MCD can defend without fouling and takes a step forward in his offense let’s say he goes to 30 minutes.

32 + 34 + 30 + 33 + 32 = 161 minutes. 240 - 161 is 79 minutes. I think Prince should get every one of the backup 3 minutes regardless of who else is playing. 79 - 18 (Prince minutes) gets us to 61.

Next I suggest as a rule that either Ant or Dlo is always on the floor when the other is on the bench. Same with KAT and Rudy.

During Ant’s 14 minutes on the bench the question is do you pair Dlo with KAT or Rudy, I think Rudy.

So Dlo, ?, Prince, ?, Rudy. I suugest that Nowell should fill the SG spot. I suggest Naz should fill the PF in this lineup.

So unit 2A is Dlo, Nowell, Prince, Naz, Rudy.

Unit 2B is then ?, Ant, Prince, ?, KAT. I suggest using Nowell and Anderson. So Nowell, Ant, Prince, Anderson, KAT.

On this model Nowell plays all the minutes that Dlo or Ant are off the floor. That comes to approximately 30 (Dlo’s 16 and Ant’s 14 on the bench.) Nowell is our 6th man. Naz gets about 16, and Anderson about 15. 30 + 15 + 16 + 179 = 240.

These numbers are of course approximate as guys play more or less minutes on a given night. Foul trouble will also affect the rotation. This rotation has JMAC and Forbes as 3rd string. It puts Moore and Minott in the G until an injury moves someone up. It does not use either two way player, and develops Nowell at both PG and SG. Of course this is subject to change depending on who else we bring in. But I think this best we are gonna do barring another shake up.

Thoughts and opinions welcome.

[KGdaBom]

Sounds OK. I don't see Nowell getting 30. J Mc and Forbes will get some run. Anderson could spend some time at SF. I like him better than Prince.

[Irishniner]

I say Naz will get very little time barring an injury. That's just a guess. Against bench or bench-ish line ups Rudy can rebound, hold down the paint just fine, so maybe in that 2A lineup put Anderson in for Reid.

Jmac will probably get~10 mins a game if theres no PG added, just to run the offense. Nowell will get a good increase in mins, but maybe more like 20 odd than 30. Himself next to Dlo is a bit of an overlap, so probably not playing next too each other for too long. Forbes might get a look in as the season progressing if spacing is needed.

But yeah, we have a rock solid rotation of 8 or 9 plus Forbes, Reid, Moore Jr, Minott if needed.

An awful lot stronger than our rotations of the last number of years. Out weakest 5 man group out of those 8 or 9 guys is capable of beating a good few teams starters.

I looked up the Pelicans with Boogie next to AD in the season and a half they were there and they were +5 when they were on the court together both years. And that's on a not particularly great Pelicans team.

[Kineto]

When Rudy was in Utah, he used to have a very effective PnR duo with Joe Ingles, and I wonder if he can't have a similar relationship with Kyle Anderson.
When he will not be with KAT, i can see Gobert spend the most of is time with SlowMo at the 4.

[KGdaBom]

When Rudy was in Utah, he used to have a very effective PnR duo with Joe Ingles, and I wonder if he can't have a similar relationship with Kyle Anderson.
When he will not be with KAT, i can see Gobert spend the most of is time with SlowMo at the 4.

Agreed. Anderson over Naz.

[winforlose]

When Rudy was in Utah, he used to have a very effective PnR duo with Joe Ingles, and I wonder if he can't have a similar relationship with Kyle Anderson.
When he will not be with KAT, i can see Gobert spend the most of is time with SlowMo at the 4.

That is interesting. But, I wonder if that is worth giving up the spacing that Naz gives you. His corner 3 point rate was very good last year. Moreover, while his overall 3 point shooting did crater a bit, he spent the first half of the season right around 2 or 3rd place in overall percentage. I can see that being useful next to Rudy. Also PNR between Dlo and Rudy will be next level.

[moss_is_1]

Definitely think we will run at least 10 deep, but we have some interesting options based on matchups and who's playing well also. Nowell and Anderson will always get there minutes off the bench, but guys like Jmac, Forbes, Naz and Prince could see their minutes fluctuate game to game.

Dlo - Jmac
Ant - Nowell - Forbes
McDaniels - Prince
Kat - Anderson
Gobert - Naz

[Krapinsky]

I think J Mac earned himself a consistent role last year. Finch went to him in the playoffs over DLo because of how he made those around him better. I think he gets 12-20 minutes per game, depending on game flow.

[pumunga]

DLo (32) jmac (12) Forbes (4)
Ant (20) nowell (22) Forbes (6)
Mcdaniels (20) Ant (14) prince (14)
Kat (17) mcdaniels (10) anderson (13) reid (8)
Gobert (32) kat (16)

[minimus]

Gobert screens might unlock our perimeter offense. If Nowell becomes our version of Jordan Poole, dear Lord, I will call whole trade genius. It might be 5D chess combination.

[winforlose]

Gobert screens might unlock our perimeter offense. If Nowell becomes our version of Jordan Poole, dear Lord, I will call whole trade genius. It might be 5D chess combination.

You could argue he already is. He just wasn’t given enough minutes and scheme priority to prove it. During the Covid catastrophe he showed you who he is.

[Danimals]

Russell 32 McLaughlin 16
Edwards 24 Nowell 24
McDaniels 24 Prince 16 Edwards 8
Towns 16 Anderson 24 Prince/McDaniels 8
Gobert 32 Towns 16

[winforlose]

Russell 32 McLaughlin 16
Edwards 24 Nowell 24
McDaniels 24 Prince 16 Edwards 8
Towns 16 Anderson 24 Prince/McDaniels 8
Gobert 32 Towns 16

I get why you do it, I just don’t like it. Ant is better at the SG and Prince cannot defend the PF. Also Nowell needs minutes at both PG and SG so we can figure out what we have going forward. JMAC might get some run with KAT, but him and Gobert both being non shooters is tough. Especially if they are paired with Anderson.

[minimus]

Russell 32 McLaughlin 16
Edwards 24 Nowell 24
McDaniels 24 Prince 16 Edwards 8
Towns 16 Anderson 24 Prince/McDaniels 8
Gobert 32 Towns 16

I believe that we really need to find minutes for Moore. He is exactly that type of player who can thrive next to Gobert. I have been watching Gobert videos and notice how important Ingles was for them running pick-n-rolls and passing, facilitating.

[winforlose]

Russell 32 McLaughlin 16
Edwards 24 Nowell 24
McDaniels 24 Prince 16 Edwards 8
Towns 16 Anderson 24 Prince/McDaniels 8
Gobert 32 Towns 16

I believe that we really need to find minutes for Moore. He is exactly that type of player who can thrive next to Gobert. I have been watching Gobert videos and notice how important Ingles was for them running pick-n-rolls and passing, facilitating.

I agree in theory, but in practice I disagree. I used to believe it was best to throw rookies into the deep end whenever possible to develop them. But after watching the train wreck that is Culver and after seeing the dramatic change in Nowell from year 1 to 2 to 3 I have revised that. I believe if the need is great enough (Kessler before the Gobert trade,) you can force the issue, but if you have a choice you should let them start in the G. Not only does it help with the adjustment to both pace and schedule, but it also helps with confidence. I believe basketball has a strong confidence component (especially shooting,) which is why Nowell was so bad year 1 and so good year 3. I believe Culver may have developed into a bench player had he been brought along differently (I mean his free throw shooting collapsed in the NBA but was fine in college.) I worry that trying to force Moore into the big time before he is ready could backfire. That and 30-35 MPG in Iowa beats 12 in NBA.

[cedric76]

I love what you guys r doing, we need teams like yours showing the rest of the league that if you carry on playing small lineups you should get killed.

You want to go small and shoot 3s, we don't care we ll pound you inside and put you in foul trouble

60% fg from 2 is better than 39% fg from 3

Best of luck guys

Unleash gobert, make him punish small 5s

[minimus]

Russell 32 McLaughlin 16
Edwards 24 Nowell 24
McDaniels 24 Prince 16 Edwards 8
Towns 16 Anderson 24 Prince/McDaniels 8
Gobert 32 Towns 16

I believe that we really need to find minutes for Moore. He is exactly that type of player who can thrive next to Gobert. I have been watching Gobert videos and notice how important Ingles was for them running pick-n-rolls and passing, facilitating.

Here,

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

please notice how every pick-n-roll actions that starts with Rudy gives an advantage to pick-n-roll ballhandler. Even non star such as Ingles, or athletically limited player such as Conley are able to convert pick-n-roll possession to point. I believe the is key development of our young players such as Edwards, Nowell, MCD, Moore as pick-n-roll ball handlers. I am particularly intrigued by MCD and Edwards, if they develop pick-n-roll game they will be unstoppable.

[winforlose]

Russell 32 McLaughlin 16
Edwards 24 Nowell 24
McDaniels 24 Prince 16 Edwards 8
Towns 16 Anderson 24 Prince/McDaniels 8
Gobert 32 Towns 16

I believe that we really need to find minutes for Moore. He is exactly that type of player who can thrive next to Gobert. I have been watching Gobert videos and notice how important Ingles was for them running pick-n-rolls and passing, facilitating.

Here,

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

please notice how every pick-n-roll actions that starts with Rudy gives an advantage to pick-n-roll ballhandler. Even non star such as Ingles, or athletically limited player such as Conley are able to convert pick-n-roll possession to point. I believe the is key development of our young players such as Edwards, Nowell, MCD, Moore as pick-n-roll ball handlers. I am particularly intrigued by MCD and Edwards, if they develop pick-n-roll game they will be unstoppable.

The truth is anyone can play pick and roll with Gobert. You might even see he and KAT do a 4-5 PNR. But the transition from college to NBA is about a lot more than playing PNR. It is the adjustment to pace, schedule, wear and tear, schemes, not being as relevant to your team, ect… Moore needs time to adjust and spending time in Iowa is great for that. Also, the rookie wall is real. The sooner we start using him and the more minutes we use him the sooner he hits that rookie wall. Moore is a late first playing for a team trying to contend. It is okay to let him ease into his role and to keep expectations low in year one.

[Klomp]

At this point, I think the starting lineup is basically set in stone. Russell / Edwards / McDaniels / Towns / Gobert will be the five to start.

Kyle Anderson is your sixth man. If I were coaching, my first sub out would be Gobert, making McDaniels and Anderson the forwards and Towns sliding down to center.

I'll put Jaylen Nowell in line to be the second man off the bench, coming in for Russell. Prince next enters the game for McDaniels. The last guard sub can be either McLaughlin or Forbes for Edwards, depending on if you need shooting or facilitating.

When Gobert re-enters the game for Towns and you want a little more shooting, put Reid in.

This is a 10-deep rotation, but can easily be trimmed down once we get to the postseason, thanks to Towns and Gobert fully manning C and the versatility of McDaniels, Prince, Anderson and Edwards.

[winforlose]

At this point, I think the starting lineup is basically set in stone. Russell / Edwards / McDaniels / Towns / Gobert will be the five to start.

Kyle Anderson is your sixth man. If I were coaching, my first sub out would be Gobert, making McDaniels and Anderson the forwards and Towns sliding down to center.

I'll put Jaylen Nowell in line to be the second man off the bench, coming in for Russell. Prince next enters the game for McDaniels. The last guard sub can be either McLaughlin or Forbes for Edwards, depending on if you need shooting or facilitating.

When Gobert re-enters the game for Towns and you want a little more shooting, put Reid in.

This is a 10-deep rotation, but can easily be trimmed down once we get to the postseason, thanks to Towns and Gobert fully manning C and the versatility of McDaniels, Prince, Anderson and Edwards.

So your suggesting Ant, Dlo, and Rudy should all be on the bench at the same time and KAT should play with 4 bench players? I am sorry, but when you have a big 4 you should always have 2 on the floor together.

Also worth asking, is getting JMAC minutes really worth hindering the growth of Nowell. I keep looking at this from different angles and I always come back to Nowell needs to play meaningful PG minutes to develop that part of his game. Meanwhile he is also a natural SG and contribute next to Dlo (gives you some of what Ant gives you when Ant is on the bench.) Given these needs and the general need for minutes, I don’t understand using him less than 25 minutes per night, and maybe as many as 30.