StartersC - Rasheed Wallace (2005-06)
PF - Karl Malone (1999-00)
SF - Kawhi Leonard (2020-21)
SG - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2022-23)
PG - Chauncey Billups (2008-09)
BenchC - Chris Andersen (2009-10)
F - Royce O'Neale (2020-21)
G - Jalen Suggs (2023-24)
RotationsC - Wallace (34), Andersen (14)
PF - Malone (38), O'Neale (6), Wallace (4)
SF - Leonard (38), O'Neale (10)
SG - KCP (34), Suggs (14)
PG - Billups (37), Suggs (11)
FGA Per PlayerThe name of the game for us is halfcourt precision. We have one of the most resilient postseason scorers ever in Kawhi, who can always generate a good look for himself and rarely turns the ball over. Our other big guns, Malone and Billups, are similarly low-mistake players. Billups and Malone should run an excellent pick-and-roll, and Clippers Kawhi can also function as a ballhandler in those actions as well. With spacing from everyone else on the roster except our backup center Birdman, they will always have room to operate in their preferred spots. Sheed keeps the opposing 5 from camping out at the basket with impunity, and KCP's movement shooting provides an additional wrinkle. Defensively, we have no weak spots to speak of, with Sheed/Birdman patrolling the paint, Kawhi/O'Neale on the wing, and KCP/Suggs at the point of attack. Malone remains a strong post defender with excellent hands, and Billups is solid with his size and intelligence.
Matchup- Defensive assignments to start will be KCP-Kidd, Kawhi-Luka, Billups-Green, Sheed-AK, Malone-Jokic. The best strategy for slowing Jokic down is having someone who can battle him in the post while allowing your primary rim protector to provide help, and Malone is one of the few PFs who could legitimately make Jokic work in this regard. Not only is he incredibly strong, but he also has quick hands to deny him easy catches. Sheed will also see time on Jokic.
- Ness has a lot of talent, but guys like Kidd, AK-47, Outlaw, and Caruso give us plenty of places to help off and crowd the space for Jokic and Luka. Similarly, while Luka and Amar'e seems like a great pick-and-roll pairing, it doesn't really work when Danny Green is the only spot-up shooter on the roster. Our offense has a cleaner fit and much better spacing.
- While has some great defenders, Luka and to a lesser extent Jokic can definitely be attacked out in space. 32 minutes of Amar'e gives us an open sore to pick at with Malone, whether in iso or pick-and-roll.
Good luck Ness.
