MyUniBroDavis wrote:This might be a bit off topic, but do you think that it's significant/there are reasons (other than injuries) why the "death lineup" hasn't been used against the cavs, and the Spurs?
As much as Kerr looks like the laid back neighbor everybody loves, he is not only ultra-competitive but also loves to play chess (figuratively speaking). I believe especially against San Antonio, he wants to hide some of his cards and the SBDS is definitely one of them.
Ultimately, it's a question of the personnel a team has. The Spurs like to play big but also have extrem flexibility in the line-ups they can potentially use - defensively and offensively. In this case, you usually stay big or let's say you don't go ultra-small in the RS because a) it's proven and more predictable and b) you want to have an ace up your sleeve come playoff-time. This means if it's not necessary (wasn't in the first and third game, in the second we missed Iggy anyway), there is no reason to give your opponent a chance to prepare for the most lethal line-up you have. Maybe the line-up ultimately doesn't work very well and you rob yourself of the chance to practice against certain line-ups but I'm positive the Warriors love their chances with the small line-up against any opponent who haven't had to deal with this line-up before. Cavaliers are a similar case although of course they had to deal with this line-up before. But without Love, without Frye and mostly without Irving who would all be crucial to the success or failure against this line-up in a potential finals re-match.
The Thunder, on the other hand, are a different case. Not because they can't harm the Warriors, they can, and not because it's unlikely they face each other in the playoffs, it is certainly possible. But unlike the Spurs or Cavs, what could they do with their available players anyway? There isn't much they could prepare for as they probably don't have the personnel to adjust properly and punish this line-up on offense or defense. This doesn't mean they can't have success against the SBDS but strategies like playing Durant at the 4 or 5 - where he would be guarded by Barnes or Green - isn't something innovative which requires previous testing. It's a logical move and either it works or not with solid preparations before the games. The Thunder don't have 2-3 scary perimeter defenders to throw at the Warriors, and while they might think about using Kanter against Green on offense, I'm sure the Warriors would love to have Kanter out there against the small unit on defense. Ultimately, they probably decide to fight fire with fire and see what Westbrook and Durant could get done with in a high paced game and against less rim protection. Could work, but it's not a tactical battle so you don't have to worry about showing most of your hand - as far as line-ups are concerned - in games before.
MyUniBroDavis wrote:Do you think that it will be used much more in the playoffs?
Yes.
