Line-ups, rotation, analysis thread.

[NatP4]

This was mentioned in the game thread, but the team is missing the presence of big body centers like Lopez/Len, gonna need one against the likes of Allen & Embiid

There's a chance that Bryant could be that guy. He doesn't have great footspeed to switch, but he is a pretty big dude who could theoretically be a very good post defender. In the past, he has been disappointingly weak in his lower body, but it wouldn't surprise me if he has put a lot of work in the weight room while rehabbing his knee. He has even made comments about getting stronger, specifically with his legs.

Had this thought last night as well, but also remembered all the large center matchups that totally abused Bryant in the post. He’s a big dude that for some reason, can’t hold his ground in the paint.

[Dat2U]

This was mentioned in the game thread, but the team is missing the presence of big body centers like Lopez/Len, gonna need one against the likes of Allen & Embiid

There's a chance that Bryant could be that guy. He doesn't have great footspeed to switch, but he is a pretty big dude who could theoretically be a very good post defender. In the past, he has been disappointingly weak in his lower body, but it wouldn't surprise me if he has put a lot of work in the weight room while rehabbing his knee. He has even made comments about getting stronger, specifically with his legs.

Had this thought last night as well, but also remembered all the large center matchups that totally abused Bryant in the post. He’s a big dude that for some reason, can’t hold his ground in the paint.

Problem is that "big C" would be the 4th C when Bryant is healthy unless there's a trade coming.

[mhd]

There's a chance that Bryant could be that guy. He doesn't have great footspeed to switch, but he is a pretty big dude who could theoretically be a very good post defender. In the past, he has been disappointingly weak in his lower body, but it wouldn't surprise me if he has put a lot of work in the weight room while rehabbing his knee. He has even made comments about getting stronger, specifically with his legs.

Had this thought last night as well, but also remembered all the large center matchups that totally abused Bryant in the post. He’s a big dude that for some reason, can’t hold his ground in the paint.

Problem is that "big C" would be the 4th C when Bryant is healthy unless there's a trade coming.

I'd replace Bryant (via trade) with a vet big (who is big) and content with not playing all the time. Bryant will want minutes. Trez seems like a real leader out there that the guys look up to.

[DCZards]

Had this thought last night as well, but also remembered all the large center matchups that totally abused Bryant in the post. He’s a big dude that for some reason, can’t hold his ground in the paint.

Problem is that "big C" would be the 4th C when Bryant is healthy unless there's a trade coming.

I'd replace Bryant (via trade) with a vet big (who is big) and content with not playing all the time. Bryant will want minutes. Trez seems like a real leader out there that the guys look up to.

Trez is definitely a leader. He's also already a fan favorite. It was fun being at the game last night and the crowd respond to Trez's energy and enthusiasm...and his calls for them to get loud.

At the end of the game Trez went over and high-fived DC rap music icon Wale who was sitting courtside. It was a cool DC moment that I hope gets repeated often.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Thomas Bryant cannot play the PF position. That will NEVER happen.

If he returns from injury and Harrell and Gafford are healthy, they will look at trades. Same thing with then Rui/Kuzma/Bertans situation. Rui is the future, Bertans is a core piece (and a good one at that) on a large contract, Kuzma will be on the trading block. If you can keep guys from becoming disgruntled, it’s really great to have solid rotational 3rd stringers at every position.

We already have 6 PFs on the roster.

Yet for some reason, it's suggested to move non-PFs to play an already overcrowded position. I don't get it. Guys generally ALWAYS better at their natural position. Harrell's skill screams undersized C and Bryant barely had the foot speed to stay with Cs before he got hurt.

Bryant cannot play PF.
Harrell shouldn't play PF.

These two things should be absolutes.

So what you're saying is there's absolutely no circumstance in which Montrezl Harrell should be in the game with either Thomas Bryant or Daniel Gafford?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Rui vs Kuz... advantage Kuz. I think you wait for Rui to get back before you make a decision on Kuz. I'm not sure Kuz isn't better player, simply because there's no confidence issues. Kuz's awareness and bball IQ have also been better than advertised.

18 ppg 13 rpg 21.3 PER through 2 games...Kuzma

Experience and confidence to Kuz. Yes on BBIQ because he is rebounder and defender first.

When Rui comes back he needs to **** watch the game from the bench but come in like gangbusters for the opportunity to earn his spot.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This was mentioned in the game thread, but the team is missing the presence of big body centers like Lopez/Len, gonna need one against the likes of Allen & Embiid

Also, If Harrell or Gafford simply rolls an ankle and has to come out, we have no other C on the roster. I guess we would go small with Kuzma at the 5?

We definitely could go small with Kuzma or Davis or Deni.

Eddie Jordan gets really hammered on this board. He was a terrible defensive coach but he won a lot of games, too, often with smaller Cs. Songaila and Ruffin played small ball C. Washington has so many weapons now.

Thomas Bryant returns soon enough.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This was mentioned in the game thread, but the team is missing the presence of big body centers like Lopez/Len, gonna need one against the likes of Allen & Embiid

There's a chance that Bryant could be that guy. He doesn't have great footspeed to switch, but he is a pretty big dude who could theoretically be a very good post defender. In the past, he has been disappointingly weak in his lower body, but it wouldn't surprise me if he has put a lot of work in the weight room while rehabbing his knee. He has even made comments about getting stronger, specifically with his legs.

Had this thought last night as well, but also remembered all the large center matchups that totally abused Bryant in the post. He’s a big dude that for some reason, can’t hold his ground in the paint.

Truth.

He also scored a winning dunk to beat Embiid and the Sixers before being injured. His mobility and his three-point shooting are counters to his poor post defense.

[dckingsfan]

It seems like Wes is able to recognize who has the hot hand and play them. In this case Harrel received a lot more minutes than Gafford (yes, Wes could have played Gafford until he had 6 fouls).

Same with Bertans, 13 minutes the first game (meh) and lights out the second game, 23 minutes.

I like this about Wes...

[NatP4]

This was mentioned in the game thread, but the team is missing the presence of big body centers like Lopez/Len, gonna need one against the likes of Allen & Embiid

Also, If Harrell or Gafford simply rolls an ankle and has to come out, we have no other C on the roster. I guess we would go small with Kuzma at the 5?

We definitely could go small with Kuzma or Davis or Deni.

Eddie Jordan gets really hammered on this board. He was a terrible defensive coach but he won a lot of games, too, often with smaller Cs. Songaila and Ruffin played small ball C. Washington has so many weapons now.

Thomas Bryant returns soon enough.

I would love to see a lineup of Dinwiddie-Beal-KCP-Avdija-Rui at times. Switch everything.

[DCZards]

It seems like Wes is able to recognize who has the hot hand and play them. In this case Harrel received a lot more minutes than Gafford (yes, Wes could have played Gafford until he had 6 fouls).

Same with Bertans, 13 minutes the first game (meh) and lights out the second game, 23 minutes.

I like this about Wes...

You're right. Unseld is more of a "how well you're playing guy" than a minutes guy. You can do that when you have solid depth like the Zards have this season for the first time in a long, long time.

Unseld pulled Gafford for Trez around the middle of the fourth quarter when Gaf had only been back on the court for a few short minutes. You could see that Daniel wasn't thrilled. But Trez was bringing the energy and intensity that the Zards needed at that point...and Unseld recognized that.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

It seems like Wes is able to recognize who has the hot hand and play them. In this case Harrel received a lot more minutes than Gafford (yes, Wes could have played Gafford until he had 6 fouls).

Same with Bertans, 13 minutes the first game (meh) and lights out the second game, 23 minutes.

I like this about Wes...

You're right. Unseld is more of a "how well you're playing guy" than a minutes guy. You can do that when you have solid depth like the Zards have this season for the first time in a long, long time.

Unseld pulled Gafford for Trez around the middle of the fourth quarter when Gaf had only been back on the court for a few short minutes. You could see that Daniel wasn't thrilled. But Trez was bringing the energy and intensity that the Zards needed at that point...and Unseld recognized that.

I

I like that too! If a guy is playing well keep him out there, why force minutes if a guy is having an off night and take out a guy who's hot, take advantage of the hot hand and more importantly keep the momentum going. Always drove me crazy about Brooks I'd swear he wasn't even watching the game sometimes!

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Once Rui is back I'm liking the idea of playing him and Kuzma together in the front court. I think Kuz adds 3-pt shooting and rebounding which are weak points for Rui, but combined their size, length, defense, switchability & scoring inside and out will mesh well and cause problems for opponents. I like the idea of having 2 interchangeable guards with Beal & Dinwittie and 2 interchangeable forwards with Rui & Kuz. I'd roll with a lineup of Gafford, Rui, Kuz, Beal, Dinwittie with main bench of Harrell, Bertans, Deni, KCP, Neto. Leaves Bryant, Kispert, Holiday end of bench fighting for PT.

[Dat2U]

Thomas Bryant cannot play the PF position. That will NEVER happen.

If he returns from injury and Harrell and Gafford are healthy, they will look at trades. Same thing with then Rui/Kuzma/Bertans situation. Rui is the future, Bertans is a core piece (and a good one at that) on a large contract, Kuzma will be on the trading block. If you can keep guys from becoming disgruntled, it’s really great to have solid rotational 3rd stringers at every position.

We already have 6 PFs on the roster.

Yet for some reason, it's suggested to move non-PFs to play an already overcrowded position. I don't get it. Guys generally ALWAYS better at their natural position. Harrell's skill screams undersized C and Bryant barely had the foot speed to stay with Cs before he got hurt.

Bryant cannot play PF.
Harrell shouldn't play PF.

These two things should be absolutes.

So what you're saying is there's absolutely no circumstance in which Montrezl Harrell should be in the game with either Thomas Bryant or Daniel Gafford?

Pretty much. Sure, you can insert them together in a specific situation but playing them together is not a strategy I'd employ because none of them is comfortable at all on the perimeter defensively.

[dckingsfan]

We already have 6 PFs on the roster.

Yet for some reason, it's suggested to move non-PFs to play an already overcrowded position. I don't get it. Guys generally ALWAYS better at their natural position. Harrell's skill screams undersized C and Bryant barely had the foot speed to stay with Cs before he got hurt.

Bryant cannot play PF.
Harrell shouldn't play PF.

These two things should be absolutes.

So what you're saying is there's absolutely no circumstance in which Montrezl Harrell should be in the game with either Thomas Bryant or Daniel Gafford?

Pretty much. Sure, you can insert them together in a specific situation but playing them together is not a strategy I'd employ because none of them is comfortable at all on the perimeter defensively.

Yep, it would be situational.

I think they (Harrell/Gafford) were on the floor in Indy game. It was a disruptive tactic (I think although you would actually need to as Wes) at the time.

So, I think we will see spot minutes of Harrell/Gafford or Harrell/Bryant as a disruptive tactic when there is opportunity.

But no, I don't think we will see major minutes as part of a regular rotational strategy.

But 4 or 5 minutes can sometimes win games, no?

[doclinkin]

So what you're saying is there's absolutely no circumstance in which Montrezl Harrell should be in the game with either Thomas Bryant or Daniel Gafford?

Pretty much. Sure, you can insert them together in a specific situation but playing them together is not a strategy I'd employ because none of them is comfortable at all on the perimeter defensively.

Yep, it would be situational.

I think they (Harrell/Gafford) were on the floor in Indy game.

They were not.

http://popcornmachine.net/gf?date=20211022&game=INDWAS

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

We already have 6 PFs on the roster.

Yet for some reason, it's suggested to move non-PFs to play an already overcrowded position. I don't get it. Guys generally ALWAYS better at their natural position. Harrell's skill screams undersized C and Bryant barely had the foot speed to stay with Cs before he got hurt.

Bryant cannot play PF.
Harrell shouldn't play PF.

These two things should be absolutes.

So what you're saying is there's absolutely no circumstance in which Montrezl Harrell should be in the game with either Thomas Bryant or Daniel Gafford?

Pretty much. Sure, you can insert them together in a specific situation but playing them together is not a strategy I'd employ because none of them is comfortable at all on the perimeter defensively.

We differ on this one. Thomas Bryant can hit three point shots in his sleep. Montrezl Harrell kills guys in the paint and can DEFINITELY play PF effectively on offense. He already played with Bryant as a Laker . When together they're both PF/C tweeners. They’ll outscore their matchups.

You really think Rui is better than Gafford, Harrell, or Bryant because his perimeter defense puts him ahead overall?

Possibly, but I disagree.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Pretty much. Sure, you can insert them together in a specific situation but playing them together is not a strategy I'd employ because none of them is comfortable at all on the perimeter defensively.

Yep, it would be situational.

I think they (Harrell/Gafford) were on the floor in Indy game.

They were not.

http://popcornmachine.net/gf?date=20211022&game=INDWAS

Wow, the popcorn machine is back!

Doclinkin, I have not seen this link in years! This was one of my favorite sites, as was 82games.com. I thought it went away.

Side note: bifocals and big tablet (Samsung A7) ... no more eye strain! Praise God! Also, I am loving my most awesome new apartment. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD. Also, friends can keep you alive just with kindness and caring. Mahalo, my friend. Payitforward and doc and ALL OF YOU...we've been friends 15 to 20 years right here on RGM.

Not like defector Kevin Broom (our buddy on BF)...

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

So what you're saying is there's absolutely no circumstance in which Montrezl Harrell should be in the game with either Thomas Bryant or Daniel Gafford?

Pretty much. Sure, you can insert them together in a specific situation but playing them together is not a strategy I'd employ because none of them is comfortable at all on the perimeter defensively.

Yep, it would be situational.

I think they (Harrell/Gafford) were on the floor in Indy game. It was a disruptive tactic (I think although you would actually need to as Wes) at the time.

So, I think we will see spot minutes of Harrell/Gafford or Harrell/Bryant as a disruptive tactic when there is opportunity.

But no, I don't think we will see major minutes as part of a regular rotational strategy.

But 4 or 5 minutes can sometimes win games, no?

Exactly what I am talking about is four or five minutes here and there. When you close your mind to an option that just limits your opportunities to be brilliant at the end of the game.