god shammgod wrote:i'm not really sure thibs ever lost a series because of in game adjustments. he's lost series because of injuries or simply because the other team had more talent.
Injuries happen. Look at the Knicks v Heat series two playoffs ago where Randle had to miss game 1.
Putting Kevin Love in midway during game 1 to abuse an out-of-his-depth Obi Toppin, after seeing that he lowkey can't deal with physical forwards to take away homecourt advantage, is the perfect example of what I mean. Up to that point Kevin Love had been playing as a stretch 4 for Miami but they asked him to bring back Timberwolves Love and Obi had no idea how to deal with that. They then took the lead and kept it through the whole game.
Next game and through the rest of the series, Randle is back, and Love wisely goes back to shooting 3's. So you're not wrong, but taking advantage of missed Randle in Game 1 by having Love come in and beat Obi up is a mix of both of our points. Especially when Love comes in and does not play like he has been playing for almost 2 years. He was at that point basically a stratch 4 because he isn't strong enough to abuse most guys for rebounds like he use to. In that game it was definitely an adjustment to Obi not being able to rebound well and struggling with weaker players.
Injuries lead to opportunities for in game adjustments.