StartersC - Tyson Chandler (2010-11)
PF - Rashard Lewis (2008-09)
SF - Kawhi Leonard (2020-21)
SG - Mikal Bridges (2022-23)
PG - Damian Lillard (2018-19)
BenchC - Isaiah Hartenstein (2022-23)
F - Grant Williams (2021-22)
G - Marcus Smart (2018-19)
RotationsC - Chandler (32), Hartenstein (10), Williams (6)
PF - Lewis (33), Williams (15)
SF - Leonard (38), Bridges (6), Lewis (4)
SG - Bridges (32), Smart (16)
PG - Lillard (38), Smart (10)
FGA Per PlayerOur four-out system is a nightmare to defend, with elite shooters everywhere and an excellent roll man in the middle. This setup gives plenty of options: spread pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop with Dame and Chandler/Lewis as screeners, Kawhi or Dame attacking in isolation with the spaced floor making it very difficult to send help, Lewis taking slower forwards off the dribble or attacking smaller ones in the post, plus a capable transition attack with Dame, Kawhi, Bridges, and Chandler. Defensively, Chandler is our defensive quarterback, giving us some scheme versatility with his ability to protect the rim as well as extend out on the court if needed. Kawhi/Bridges/Smart/Williams comprise an excellent corps of guard/wing defenders. Hartenstein is a great traditional backup for Chandler, while Williams gives us the five-out option.
Matchup- Defensive assignments will be Bridges-Luka, Dame-Kidd, Kawhi-Battier, Chandler-Pau, Lewis-Camby. With Battier (on low volume) and Redick being Blazer's only reliable floor spacers, we will primarily look to pack the paint and crowd the space where Luka and Pau like to operate. We will cycle through Bridges, Smart, and Kawhi on Luka over the course of the game to keep him off balance.
- We should be able to put both Camby and Pau in defensive difficulty here. Camby is reluctant to leave the paint, which is death when Dame or Kawhi is coming off a Chandler screen. Pau is also out of his element having to be glued to Lewis beyond the arc.
- Our lineup leaves no place for Luka to hide; one-through-four, our
worst offensive player is Bridges which is no picnic. Furthermore, with this much shooting on the court we can run screening actions involving whoever Luka is guarding, forcing him to switch onto Kawhi or Dame. By contrast, Blazer will find it harder to force favourable switches because most of the screeners aren't threatening enough as shooters.
- Those bench lineups with Robinson/Camby/Hart as a frontcourt are going to struggle for spacing, while Williams should have a field day spotting up for triples.
Good luck Blazer.