Road to a Championship start here, 2022 Draft.

[Whole Truth]

The BI trade talk looks like it lit a fire. Great game from BI 30/8 & 6

[Whole Truth]

A poster again referencing the fact NO's are now 7-2 with CJ starting after last nights win. lol.

I don't think this poster saw the game. Pels started the game -15 in the first 5mins in a 10pt win. I don't hink he knows Murphy was +24 off the bench, +14 in the 10pt win. Whereas with Daniels starting an option outside of CJ like Murphy, was never available. To the point Green rode Murphy's (+24) spacing & defense in the 4th over ZIon. It's why BI was as effective as he was last night. I'm surprised there hasn't been much discussion about it.

BI's best game of the season. Any coincidence to the fact, Zion was limited to under 30mins & his paint gravity was sitting in the 4rh in favor of Murphy's 3pt gravity. As a result, BI looked more like the BI from the PO's 2yts ago. Mentioned it yesterday in the pro's & cons of trading BI/Zion. Teams game plan to defend Zion who has no diversity to his game, this negatively affects BI's game. Love the fact Zion took a 3, even if it was a miss. Need to do more of that because diversifying his game is the key to this team unlocking it's potential with him. You can't just put shooters around Zion when everyone in the building knows what he wants to do with the ball. The key to any successful offense is it's unpredictability. This is why teams will leave Jonas wide open from 3 despite the fact he's shooting at a 40% clip. They will make the trade off of containing the paint & mid range games of the teams top 2 players, including Jonas post efficiency preference & rebounding, to shooting the 3 ball & the best team rebounder, nowhere near the rim for an offensive rebound.

Fun stat based on my last point above - in the 5 man starting lineups with either Daniels or CJ

in 84 mins the starters are +.067 in 3pt% with the defender Daniels (+22pts)
in 83 mins the starters are -080 in 3pt% with the shooter CJ (+0.7pts)

Factor in SOS

Daniels starting - (Mavs, Denver, Wolves, Kings 2x, Clippers, Utah 2x, Bulls (3 B2B's, short handed the teams top 3 shooters)
CJ starting - (Memphis, NY, Detroit, GS, Atlanta, Pistons, Spurs, Kings, OKC, Sixers, no Embiid) (Daniels & Murphy available depth)

5 of 8 wins with CJ starting = 4 bottom feeders, Sixers without Embiid & no B2B's with more quality depth available having both Daniels & Murphy as depth options. OKC, NY & Kings the 3 contending/PO teams beat in relation to NO's beating 5 contenders/PO teams with Daniels, with all of CJ, Murphy & Ryan out for spacing depth options where Teams successfully zoned Zion off the bench.3 losses coming on the back end of B2B's short handed 3 rotation players/shooters.

Availability

Daniels during this stretch was playing with a depth chart of no CJ, Murphy or Ryan which is why Utah with the zone & lengthy shot blocker was a difficult matchup despite their record for a team missing all their floor spacers & 3 key depth options. Why a thinned roster & bench was losing their minutes with Daniels starting, There was 3 back end B2B losses, short 3 rotation players, where Zion was also rested for the Wolves B2B 1pt loss. Vs the Bulls Zeller was -17 in a 6pt loss in comparison to the match last night where the starters were -15 to start but had Murphy come off the bench at +24. Daniels starting, having Murphy available alone, I'd argue NO's win all 9 games against a much stronger schedule. 3 of the losses were by less than 2 possessions. Not hard to imagine the difference in having Murphy as an option over Zeller.

Whereas with a more healthy roster when CJ starts, having both Daniels & Murphy as options. It's the bench not the starters winning their minutes. As you saw last night, with Kings getting off to a hot start where Pels were -15 in the first 5mins of the game, the bench had to change the complexion of it & did. Imagine not having Murphy's +24 coming off the bench in this one, where Green even chose to sit Zion down the stretch in favor of him. Not hard to imagine, this would have been a loss.

So for this poster who keeps pointing to the W/L record as to why CJ should start. I say you have no clue how NO's are winning & losing their games.

Simple question. If Daniels started last night instead of CJ, do the Kings open the game -15 in the first 5mins ? 

9 games 84 minutes & 2 wins vs the same Kings without CJ or Murphy available with Daniels starting, says they wouldn't have.

The win/loss record is more of an indication of availability & depth as apposed to how the team has been starting games with either player. With a little context, as I have shown above. The game NO's are winning with CJ starting amore available & deeper bench is producing the winning minutes. In the losses with Daniels starting, it's the lack of availability & bench depth in the back end of B2B losses that has been losing their minutes in what has been a stronger schedule faced for Daniels.

[Whole Truth]

I think this is a game for Hawkins. I don't think this Lakers team can chase him around. Might have to trade 2's for 3's on the defensive side though.

[Whole Truth]

Dyson on Lebron with Herb roaming to help Jonas with Davis. Dyson will make Lebron work for it after coming off a 40min game. Tire him out, then bring CJ in late to run around offensively. If the team gets off to a slow start because of the 1-5 pnr with CJ over Dyson, would be upsetting.

[Whole Truth]

Too stupid to know the Zion, CJ pairing is bleeding points to James. Started off the 2nd Q opening a 10pt lead. The subs cut is down to 2, then Zion, CJ are subbed back in for Lakers to open the lead back up to 13.

& to make it worse, matching CJ every time Lakers sub Lebron, lMAO.

CJ team high -21 in a 13 pt game.

Get a clue.

[Whole Truth]

There's a reason they subbed Lebron to come in on that Zion bench lineup to start the 2nd Q. It's the lineup that had been losing all it's minutes over the last 9 games

[Whole Truth]

It's not that CJ can't be useful if utilized properly but at this point, he's the worse thing that could have happened.

-21 in 14 minutes & our coach is playing him like he needs to match Lebron's experience against a vet regardless of production.

[Whole Truth]

CJ (4-13) -38 in 22 mins

Here's an idea, more CJ.

[Whole Truth]

Last night showed me, this is more about CJ than what's best for the team.

I've been writing walls of texts of how this team had been winning & losing games. CJ with the starters & the small ball 5 bench, that teams are zoning & shutting down Zion.

The Lakers being a good defensive team that can pack the paint like the 4 win Utah team with Davis as the shot blocker is what it looks like when a smart coach with more talent than Utah, exploits this teams weaknesses & rotations. With them zoning Zion & paired with the combined lack of defense between the 2. Last night was the first time I've understood as a fan why some fans have worn bags over their heads in public. Thanks for embarrassing the team & fans on the National stage.

CJ for the win. Every minute our dear coach matched him against Lebron was a lost minute. Ya started the game slow as we know that unit does. You started the 2nd Q with that duo giving up a 10 pt lead. The Daniels defensive sub with Jonas & Ingram brought the game back to within 2 & then you sub the duo back in again because Lebron came in & they opened a 13pt lead at the half & because they weren't down 40 yet despite me a casual pointing out CJ was a wopping -21 in 14 mins first half, you came back to start the 3rd with him.

If anyone is still wondering why Lebron was as effective as he was in his brief 22 minutes

CJ 25 minutes - (4-14) for 9pts, -38 So you rode him against Lebron without offense or defense. You rode him to start the 3rd despite seeing the team go down as much as 10 all 3 times you tried to pair him against Lebron.

All I can say is I've never been this embarrassed as a fan & want to thank you for that. GO CJ.

Just to show you how stupid... Daniels was the only player +2 in 17 minutes in this near 50pt loss & you chose to ride CJ over him, when you had 4 subs not to. Like I said to open, this is more about CJ than what's best for the team because every stat says the starters are better with Daniels than CJ.

[Whole Truth]

No other player, starter or bench, close to CJ's -38. A near 13 pt difference to the next worse player, with CJ playing only 25 minutes.

Hope you realize by this performance, the league will not want the Pels back on the main stage & as a result it will ultimately affect the whistle this team gets. A win here could have earned a better whistle ... **** it, go CJ.

[Whole Truth]

Going to make this my last post for the day cause I'm mad as ****.

Lakers subbed Lebron out at the 6 min mark of the first tied 17-17 because they wanted to run him against the Zion small ball bench lineup. All they had to do was zone it & let Lebron exploit the 1-5 defense of CJ & Zion. Fortunate to be down only 10. The subs of Jonas, BI & Daniels brought the game back to within 2. Lakers then subbed Lerbron back in to stop the Pels run. Green matched by breaking his own teams run by bringing both ZIon & CJ back in to match the Lebron sub.

[Whole Truth]

I made the mistake to go & read some NO's fans comments. Heaping the blame on the 2 stars for being lazy & underperforming. While true to an extent. It should strike people as odd that it's the behavior & performance of more than just Zion being out of shape or coasting & or frustrated in play.. They're not playing to a strength, they're playing frustrated & defeated. While given a sense of entitlement by Green himself. Who has told them they're the best duo in the league, without the accomplishment. Talk about inflating ego & killing drive. You don't heap praise without it being warranted. The team is inconsistent at 500.. They've done nothing to deserve being called the best duo.

While blasting Zion & BI, none have mentioned the fact CJ was the worst player on the floor by a considerable margin -13 worse than the next worse player, starter or bench -25, was he lazy too ?. As we have seen & I have talked about over & over, his ball dominance & shot selection hijacks the games rhythm & flow from the other 2 stars. (4-14) for 9pts, a -38 in 25mins & as I pointed out in the post above, when BI was getting into a little flow 2nd Q with Dyson in over CJ to cut the lead to 2. It was the Zion/CJ sub to match Lakers subbing Lebron that iced his & that units flow, where the lead ballooned back to 13 at the half, not BI's effort. Lebron didn't play a minute before Green decided to adjust a Pel lineup that cut a 10pt "spotted" lead into 2. Lakers did not have to show they could counter that unit before Dyson's defense was subbed for CJ' who was offering nothing offensively or defensively to that point being -21 in his first 14 minutes. Should be noted, Daniels finished the game +2 in his 17mins to CJ''s -38 in 25 in a 40+pt blow out. Those kind of winning decisions. Yeah but CJ is the veteran leader deserving of his minutes ...

None is not saying CJ can't be useful, just not in the manner in which he's currently being used.

So what you see in my point above, is Green adjusting to the Lakers adjustment of his own teams run, momentum & he countered with something that was giving the Lakers a massive edge to that point. Zion & CJ's combined lack of defensive ability with Lebron exploiting it. Reason Lebron was subbed 1st Q in a tie game with 6mins left to match the Zuon small ball lineup off the bench. Go ahead & blame the players solely for not having any rhythm or effort, you'd be wrong.

At what point do people say there's a "reason" more than just ZIon is looking, lazy & frustrated, while underperforming. The overall inconsistent play of the deep talented team on a whole ...

Last yr Jonas was ignored for Nance's defense & CJ where everyone wanted him traded. One injury to Nance & all of a sudden Jonas is having a good yr. Go figure. Do you think it might have something to do with the manner in which he was being used? This year, Nance has struggled playing in an all defensive lineup off the bench & everyone is calling for his head, lol

[Whole Truth]

Until there's a better rotational balance, a better understanding of matchups & subs, get used to this team being 500 & inconsistent.

[Duke4life831]

This team has some issues with it right now. Zion isnt playing himself into shape as the season goes on, he seems to be getting in worse and worse shape. BI seems way too easy of just checking out on a game when he doesnt get into an early rhythm. CJ is just CJ and there seems to be no adjusting to CJ's game. There really is no nuance to his game. He really isnt the crafty vet that is molding his game around the 2 stars of the team, no he just goes out there to dominate the ball and shoot.

The thing is, when CJ misses a game the roles on the team are very well defined. Zion and BI are essentially the sun and everyone else just does the small things to fit around them. It works because the guys around them fit very well in that situation. Id like to see how consistent the that situation looks when they have a healthy Jose and a healthy Murphy coming off the bench (I dont think weve seen a non CJ game with both Jose and Murph active).

Is that a championship level team? Probably not. But its a more well defined team and a team that looks like they enjoy playing with each other. How many times have the "big 3" played together and all went off? I just dont think they play all that well with each other, usually it seems like 2 will have a big game while the 3rd guy essentially just played decoy all night.

Ive been watching a lot of Magic games and they seemed to have had similar issues to start the year with Fultz wanting to dominate the ball when he was out there with Paolo and Franz. Then Fultz went down, and the offense began to revolve around Paolo and Franz and you can see it was like a switch went on with that team. Everyone's roles became clear and they started playing far more consistent ball.

When CJ was out, you basically got 2 different kinds of players to play with BI and Zion. Dyson who is a low USG offensive player but high level defender and they got to march out a Herb/Dyson defensive duo. Or it was Hawkins and he was a guy that can drop 20 without dribbling it more than 3 times. Great fits. Honestly not sure what the fix is for this team, dont think even CJ to the bench as the 6th man solves the situation.

[Whole Truth]

I don't know why I do this to myself. I read a forum game page where NO fans are talking about Zion's & BI's aggression in taking over games. They mention Zion is averaging something like 10 shots over his last 3 games with a minutes reduction ...

Are people this unaware of the cause & effect ?

What's happened over the last 3 games that has caused Zion's attempts to shrink to 10 on average ? = CJ's return to the starting lineup.

These posters talk about the 2 young players being passive but why are they passive ? = CJ's dominance of the ball & shot attempts. When things get tight it's CJ that gets tunnel vision & starts dominating the ball & the young players defer to the vet. In his head CJ thinks they need that. When in fact, with him sidelined & no bench depth, they showed over a tough stretch of opponents, they don't,. However like his days in Portland. Ask Portland fans, CJ & Dame combined took more than 75% of the teams FGA's.

Do I need crayons ? I'm starting to think so.

During the Kings game when BI was cooking, Zion was willing to defer & wasn't even needed down the stretch run.. The game prior, against a 3 win Spurs team, BI' couldn't get a rhythm to his game till the 4th Q, with CJ also struggling to shoot himself into a rhythm till the 4th, as my boy Duke mentioned the overlap ... None of which was happening with Daniels low usage & defense starting. Team was getting off to strong starts but it was the bench play during this stretch of games that was struggling to produce. Now that the team has gotten their depth back, you move CJ to the starting rotation over something that was working & now you are getting off to slow starts & both young players look lazy, uninterested, frustrated & exposed defensively.

Why oh why, what can it possibly be ?.

With Daniels defense starting did it not look like both Zion & BI were giving a **** on the defensive end ? - they did
With Daniels low usage was Zion & BI taking more initiative ? - they were
With CJ going 4-14, what did he bring to the table being -38 in 25 mins that Daniels couldn't -? - NOTHING

[Duke4life831]

I don't know why I do this to myself. I read a forum game page where NO fans are talking about Zion's & BI's aggression in taking over games. They mention Zion is averaging something like 10 shots over his last 3 games with a minutes reduction ...

Are people this unaware of the cause & effect ?

What's happened over the last 3 games that has caused Zion's attempts to shrink to 10 on average ? = CJ's return to the starting lineup.

These posters talk about the 2 young players being passive but why are they passive ? = CJ's dominance of the ball & shot attempts. When things get tight it's CJ that gets tunnel vision & starts dominating the ball & the young players defer to the vet. In his head CJ thinks they need that. When in fact, with him sidelined & no bench depth, they showed over a tough stretch of opponents, they don't,. However like his days in Portland. Ask Portland fans, CJ & Dame combined took more than 75% of the teams FGA's.

Do I need crayons ? I'm starting to think so.

During the Kings game when BI was cooking, Zion was willing to defer & wasn't even needed down the stretch run.. The game prior, against a 3 win Spurs team, BI' couldn't get a rhythm to his game till the 4th Q, with CJ also struggling to shoot himself into a rhythm till the 4th, as my boy Duke mentioned the overlap ... None of which was happening with Daniels low usage & defense starting. Team was getting off to strong starts but it was the bench play during this stretch of games that was struggling to produce. Now that the team has gotten their depth back, you move CJ to the starting rotation over something that was working & now you are getting off to slow starts & both young players look lazy, uninterested, frustrated & exposed defensively.

Why oh why, what can it possibly be ?.

With Daniels defense starting did it not look like both Zion & BI were giving a **** on the defensive end ? - they did
With Daniels low usage was Zion & BI taking more initiative ? - they were
With CJ going 4-14, what did he bring to the table being -38 in 25 mins that Daniels couldn't -? - NOTHING

Ya its a funky fit and what also doesnt help is this there creeping up to almost 2 seasons worth of games since CJ was traded and they still have no continuity of playing together since they all cant seem to be on the floor together for more than a few games at a time before one of them gets hurt. So if that wasnt the issue, maybe by now they wouldve figured out how to play with each other in a more smoother fashion. But that isnt the case and it kind of just seems like going into the game the question is, which one of BI or Zion are going to be treated like the decoy tonight.

This also doesnt include that you have a guy like Jonas who is most effective when he can get up 10+ shots. And now Murphy is back and he was a 20ppg guy for the final month of the season. Does this team really need 3 guys fighting each other for touches and shots every night? Or would it be better to have 2 guys solidified in high usage roles and let guys like Murphy or Jonas be that 3rd scoring option, depending on match ups or who is on it that night.

I also want to be clear, Im not cleansing my Duke guys from any blame. I do think Zion still isnt in shape and is getting in worse shape as the season goes on. And I do think BI is too easily taken out of his rhythm and when that happens, you know its going to be a bad BI night. Both things need to improve. I just think the CJ thing is just throwing another wrench into the gears with this team.

[Whole Truth]

This team has some issues with it right now. Zion isnt playing himself into shape as the season goes on, he seems to be getting in worse and worse shape. BI seems way too easy of just checking out on a game when he doesnt get into an early rhythm. CJ is just CJ and there seems to be no adjusting to CJ's game. There really is no nuance to his game. He really isnt the crafty vet that is molding his game around the 2 stars of the team, no he just goes out there to dominate the ball and shoot.

The thing is, when CJ misses a game the roles on the team are very well defined. Zion and BI are essentially the sun and everyone else just does the small things to fit around them. It works because the guys around them fit very well in that situation. Id like to see how consistent the that situation looks when they have a healthy Jose and a healthy Murphy coming off the bench (I dont think weve seen a non CJ game with both Jose and Murph active).

Is that a championship level team? Probably not. But its a more well defined team and a team that looks like they enjoy playing with each other. How many times have the "big 3" played together and all went off? I just dont think they play all that well with each other, usually it seems like 2 will have a big game while the 3rd guy essentially just played decoy all night.

Ive been watching a lot of Magic games and they seemed to have had similar issues to start the year with Fultz wanting to dominate the ball when he was out there with Paolo and Franz. Then Fultz went down, and the offense began to revolve around Paolo and Franz and you can see it was like a switch went on with that team. Everyone's roles became clear and they started playing far more consistent ball.

When CJ was out, you basically got 2 different kinds of players to play with BI and Zion. Dyson who is a low USG offensive player but high level defender and they got to march out a Herb/Dyson defensive duo. Or it was Hawkins and he was a guy that can drop 20 without dribbling it more than 3 times. Great fits. Honestly not sure what the fix is for this team, dont think even CJ to the bench as the 6th man solves the situation.

"Is that a championship team ?"

Not yet but that is where the potential ceiling is in developing the reps for Daniels in these early game pressures situations, without it costing games. The team was winning their starting minutes during a tough stretch of games, It was the small ball 5 Zion all defensive bench lineup with all the shooters out losing their minutes during Daniels time as a starter.

As you note, there was defined roles & structure. With everyone talking about effort, I defy anyone to tell me when Daniels was starting if it didn't look like BI, Zion & JV was putting in work... So the lazy talk is based in the frustration of not being put in successful positions on both ends, Zion in all defensive lineups & BI overlapping offensively with CJ with no elite defender.

In my evaluation of the team 3 things are needed to right this ship.

- Zion to diversify his game
- CJ to come off the bench as a super sub
- backup 5 upgrade, where hopefully magic would entertain trading Isaac.

Right now because of Zion's lack of diversity, his paint gravity is working against him & the team, no matter how many shooters you put on the floor. Both Herb & Jonas are shooting the 3 ball well, yet LA chose to leave them both & just cut off CJ. To get another "threat on the floor would only degrade the defense further as you can't take Herb out.

I posted this stat yesterday - The starting unit is shooting the 3 ball at a better percentage with Daniels than CJ in a comparable 84mins of playing time each with Daniels having faced the tougher schedule.

Last night 2nd Q when Jonas, BI & Daniels cut the 10pt lead to one possession, it was the direct sub of CJ for Daniels that ballooned the lead back up to 13 for the half. Green tried to matchup CJ with Lebron & it was literally the reason Lebron had the game he did, it's crazy.

What's crazier is with CJ starting, NO's had to come back from a slow start to tie the game early. With his defense paired with Zion to start the 2nd Q off the bench him & Zion were exploited defensively for a 10pt lead & after a different unit got the team back in the game, he was subbed back in to matchup with Lebron who was exploiting him & Zion defensively. Then, then, NO's come out the half with the same **** plan. The 5th time tried might be a charm.

You see why Green was rolling defensive lineups with Zion off the bench to try & compensate for his defense. What I get from this rotation is that ZIon at the 5 cannot work. Hence the need for Nance or a capable backup.

[Whole Truth]

I don't know why I do this to myself. I read a forum game page where NO fans are talking about Zion's & BI's aggression in taking over games. They mention Zion is averaging something like 10 shots over his last 3 games with a minutes reduction ...

Are people this unaware of the cause & effect ?

What's happened over the last 3 games that has caused Zion's attempts to shrink to 10 on average ? = CJ's return to the starting lineup.

These posters talk about the 2 young players being passive but why are they passive ? = CJ's dominance of the ball & shot attempts. When things get tight it's CJ that gets tunnel vision & starts dominating the ball & the young players defer to the vet. In his head CJ thinks they need that. When in fact, with him sidelined & no bench depth, they showed over a tough stretch of opponents, they don't,. However like his days in Portland. Ask Portland fans, CJ & Dame combined took more than 75% of the teams FGA's.

Do I need crayons ? I'm starting to think so.

During the Kings game when BI was cooking, Zion was willing to defer & wasn't even needed down the stretch run.. The game prior, against a 3 win Spurs team, BI' couldn't get a rhythm to his game till the 4th Q, with CJ also struggling to shoot himself into a rhythm till the 4th, as my boy Duke mentioned the overlap ... None of which was happening with Daniels low usage & defense starting. Team was getting off to strong starts but it was the bench play during this stretch of games that was struggling to produce. Now that the team has gotten their depth back, you move CJ to the starting rotation over something that was working & now you are getting off to slow starts & both young players look lazy, uninterested, frustrated & exposed defensively.

Why oh why, what can it possibly be ?.

With Daniels defense starting did it not look like both Zion & BI were giving a **** on the defensive end ? - they did
With Daniels low usage was Zion & BI taking more initiative ? - they were
With CJ going 4-14, what did he bring to the table being -38 in 25 mins that Daniels couldn't -? - NOTHING

Ya its a funky fit and what also doesnt help is this there creeping up to almost 2 seasons worth of games since CJ was traded and they still have no continuity of playing together since they all cant seem to be on the floor together for more than a few games at a time before one of them gets hurt. So if that wasnt the issue, maybe by now they wouldve figured out how to play with each other in a more smoother fashion. But that isnt the case and it kind of just seems like going into the game the question is, which one of BI or Zion are going to be treated like the decoy tonight.

This also doesnt include that you have a guy like Jonas who is most effective when he can get up 10+ shots. And now Murphy is back and he was a 20ppg guy for the final month of the season. Does this team really need 3 guys fighting each other for touches and shots every night? Or would it be better to have 2 guys solidified in high usage roles and let guys like Murphy or Jonas be that 3rd scoring option, depending on match ups or who is on it that night.

I also want to be clear, Im not cleansing my Duke guys from any blame. I do think Zion still isnt in shape and is getting in worse shape as the season goes on. And I do think BI is too easily taken out of his rhythm and when that happens, you know its going to be a bad BI night. Both things need to improve. I just think the CJ thing is just throwing another wrench into the gears with this team.

Cause & effect. CJ's usage is the main issue
Problem solving. Start with what you know & can do.

Starters with Daniels 84 mins +22 with a tougher schedule
Starters with CJ 97 mins -6.8

Lets start with getting out to good starts, setting a defensive tone & energy to the game. If during that 9 game stretch Daniels started he had the bench depth, NO's could have easily gone 9-0 with Murphy/Jose off the bench & CJ sidelined.

Then take the next problem from there.

[Whole Truth]

Utah ----- Zone defense with lengthy shot blocker. Strategy is to give open looks to who you are willing & shade the lone shooter or force NO's to lose more defense in substitution. This is solely a Zion diversity issue. Simply because Zion cannot play defense or choose to score outside the paint, so there's a need for both shooting & defense as teams zone. The solution is not as simple as adding more shooters. Zion has to diversify his offensive game so NO's can blend the defense of Herb with a shooter. The fact Herb is shooting 36% from 3, Jonas 40% with CJ & Lakers chose to leave both open regardless of their high percentages. Let the role players beat us thought process in containing Zion & BI. Unfortunately the propensity for CJ to start kills the team on both ends with this strategy.

Why - CJ shot 4-14, Herb & Jonas were off & without Daniels elite defense = no counter

Lakers = Utah with more top end talent. Instead of Kessler they have Davis manning the zone & he had a block party.

NO's couldn't beat the 4 win Utah team either. These were strategic losses, not talent based. NO's has played LA better without Zion over the last 3yrs.

[Whole Truth]

I said when they made the trade for CJ they were going to end up playing down to him. CJ as the veteran "leader" is dominating the ball & as a result ZIon is saying he needs to be more aggressive where if CJ were not there............. or more contained in his off ball role than putting up the most shots of any player starter or bench ...... it might make a difference.

I mean Pels ran a 2nd yr player with the starting unit without CJ, that was basically in for containment/ball denial & they could have gone 9-0 with a relative healthy bench. 3 games loss by less than 2 possessions without any bench production, while facing the tougher schedule.

Damn this actually relieved my anger from last night talking this **** out.