Crazy Idea #2: No PG Lineups with Filipowski and Cody Williams

[bkohler]

We’re still deep in the dog days, so here’s another one: what if the Jazz just… didn’t play a point guard?

Picture a lineup with Cody Williams “at the one” defensively, but with the offense initiated mostly through Kyle Filipowski. Cody’s got the length to chase opposing guards, and Filipowski has the vision to be a hub at the top of the key. Add Lauri, Hendricks/Ace, and Kessler (Or Ace/Lauri/Hendrick) to that group and suddenly you’ve got a five-man unit that’s bigger than most frontcourts.

The case for it: Cody’s defense and length could disrupt smaller guards, while Filipowski is already one of our better passing bigs. Running sets through him at the elbows could free up cutters and shooters, and Lauri becomes even harder to stop with mismatches everywhere. It would also force teams to deal with a ton of size.

The case against it: ball pressure would be brutal. NBA point guards eat “fake point guard” lineups alive. Filipowski handling the ball against traps is a turnover waiting to happen. Spacing could get ugly unless Hendricks and Lauri are hot from three. And offensively, you’re banking on young guys playing way above their current level.

Verdict: Probably a disaster in real games, but as an experiment? It could be fascinating. A no-PG, all-wings-and-bigs lineup would be unlike anything else in the league. Maybe it flames out after two trips down the floor, but maybe it unlocks something weird and new.

Dog days are for nonsense, and “point Filipowski” definitely fits the bill.

[Inigo Montoya]

I'm starting to think you don't like point guards.

Also, that lineup will struggle to cross half court under a tiny bit of defensive pressure. Hell, even last season's team had trouble with it.

[red4hf]

I'm starting to think you don't like point guards.

Also, that lineup will struggle to cross half court under a tiny bit of defensive pressure. Hell, even last season's team had trouble with it.

That's actually a reason to do it, lol......

[Inigo Montoya]

I'm starting to think you don't like point guards.

Also, that lineup will struggle to cross half court under a tiny bit of defensive pressure. Hell, even last season's team had trouble with it.

That's actually a reason to do it, lol......

Dang, you're right. Whatever gets the Jazz a top 3 pick.

[bkohler]

I'm starting to think you don't like point guards.

Also, that lineup will struggle to cross half court under a tiny bit of defensive pressure. Hell, even last season's team had trouble with it.

I just don't like our 'point guards'.

The pressure would definitely be a problem, but as you mentioned, it's going to be a problem regardless.

[Inigo Montoya]

I'm starting to think you don't like point guards.

Also, that lineup will struggle to cross half court under a tiny bit of defensive pressure. Hell, even last season's team had trouble with it.

I just don't like our 'point guards'.

The pressure would definitely be a problem, but as you mentioned, it's going to be a problem regardless.

Maybe WCJ will surprise, though I still wish the Jazz went with Kasparas or Traore.

[Daddy 801]

Sounds more like a situation you do from a half court in bounds play when the game is close and you want to run a weird miss match to screw with the defense.

Running it for a game sounds not great. So let’s do it!!

[babyjax13]

I think running Filipowski as a ball handler is something we really should work on. His best outcome is something like Sengun or Sabonis on offense - but with better shooting and worse rebounding. To get there he needs to share ball handling responsibilities. I don't know that it would require 'no point guard,' but certainly it would require him to have more responsibility. In that respect, I agree with the central thesis that Filipowski could become a primary ball handler.

[Daddy 801]

I think running Filipowski as a ball handler is something we really should work on. His best outcome is something like Sengun or Sabonis on offense - but with better shooting and worse rebounding. To get there he needs to share ball handling responsibilities. I don't know that it would require 'no point guard,' but certainly it would require him to have more responsibility. In that respect, I agree with the central thesis that Filipowski could become a primary ball handler.

If we do experiment with this (which we should) I’d run Bryce, Ace, Flip, Lauri, and Kessler or Hendrix if he is showing his new size he can handle the opposing teams center on defense. This will be a horrendous defensive unit, but I’d be curious to see how efficiency they could be on offense. They would have to be elite rebounding to be a good +/- unit I would assume.