GT: Nets Vs Raptors- 7:30

[GTR11]

People wanting Simmons to defend 5s every time obviously havent seen him play much

Not only isn't it his strength but why you would attempt to convert arguably the best perimeter defender in the league is beyond me

Anyway, good win with some nice signs but I still believe that we need a big body to use against certain opponents

Rather than signing one of the usual FA suspects (Dwight, Boogie, etc), I would be calling Spurs about Poetl

Nothing flashy but very solid and on an affordable, expiring contract

yes Poetl would be perfect ! I think Spurs are tanking but we have to give up something good to get him and we don't have the pieces right now. We should definitely give them a call tho

Jakob is not stretch 5 we need so desperately. Olynik is the to have for us. Seth, DDJ AND Sharpe should be enough, also will give us roster spots if we decide to blow it up.

[Papi_swav]

People wanting Simmons to defend 5s every time obviously havent seen him play much

Not only isn't it his strength but why you would attempt to convert arguably the best perimeter defender in the league is beyond me

Anyway, good win with some nice signs but I still believe that we need a big body to use against certain opponents

Rather than signing one of the usual FA suspects (Dwight, Boogie, etc), I would be calling Spurs about Poetl

Nothing flashy but very solid and on an affordable, expiring contract

yes Poetl would be perfect ! I think Spurs are tanking but we have to give up something good to get him and we don't have the pieces right now. We should definitely give them a call tho

Jakob is not stretch 5 we need so desperately. Olynik is the to have for us. Seth, DDJ AND Sharpe should be enough, also will give us roster spots if we decide to blow it up.

We don't desperately need a stretch 5, we need a big that can bang and be an enforcer downlow. We are going to get outrebounded and teams are going to punish us down in the paint. Just look at the pelicans game, why you think they spanked us? because Zion and Val was out muscling us and getting whatever they want at the rim and we couldn't stop it. We need a tough brute center because KD and Ben is soft, and Clax can only do so much with his thin frame.

We don't have to model our team like every other team in the NBA with shooters at every position. we already have Seph, Joe and Patty who are deadly shooters and Oneal and TJ are average shooters along with 2 elite scorers. HEAT have Jimmy Butler and BAM both starting and they're both not good shooters but they make it work. But then again they have a great coach who is top 3 in the NBA. Olynik is a good 3 pt shooter but he's not helping the problem, he will get smashed down low against guys like BAM, Embiid, Gobert, Val etc.. we need a paint enforcer.

[GTR11]

yes Poetl would be perfect ! I think Spurs are tanking but we have to give up something good to get him and we don't have the pieces right now. We should definitely give them a call tho

Jakob is not stretch 5 we need so desperately. Olynik is the to have for us. Seth, DDJ AND Sharpe should be enough, also will give us roster spots if we decide to blow it up.

We don't desperately need a stretch 5, we need a big that can bang and be an enforcer downlow. We are going to get outrebounded and teams are going to punish us down in the paint. Just look at the pelicans game, why you think they spanked us? because Zion and Val was out muscling us and getting whatever they want at the rim and we couldn't stop it. We need a tough brute center because KD and Ben is soft, and Clax can only do so much with his thin frame.

We don't have to model our team like every other team in the NBA with shooters at every position. we already have Seph, Joe and Patty who are deadly shooters and Oneal and TJ are average shooters along with 2 elite scorers. HEAT have Jimmy Butler and BAM both starting and they're both not good shooters but they make it work. But then again they have a great coach who is top 3 in the NBA. Olynik is a good 3 pt shooter but he's not helping the problem, he will get smashed down low against guys like BAM, Embiid, Gobert, Val etc.. we need a paint enforcer.

1- Sharpe is big enough to get rb, problem with NOP game was coaching that never adjusted.
2- Prototypical big is unplayable with Ben. Jakob won't be any different than Nic and Nic much better big than him because he can switch, play perimeter and rebound. Jakob only useful in painted area, exactly where Ben be.

[TheNetsFan]

Jakob is not stretch 5 we need so desperately. Olynik is the to have for us. Seth, DDJ AND Sharpe should be enough, also will give us roster spots if we decide to blow it up.

We don't desperately need a stretch 5, we need a big that can bang and be an enforcer downlow. We are going to get outrebounded and teams are going to punish us down in the paint. Just look at the pelicans game, why you think they spanked us? because Zion and Val was out muscling us and getting whatever they want at the rim and we couldn't stop it. We need a tough brute center because KD and Ben is soft, and Clax can only do so much with his thin frame.

We don't have to model our team like every other team in the NBA with shooters at every position. we already have Seph, Joe and Patty who are deadly shooters and Oneal and TJ are average shooters along with 2 elite scorers. HEAT have Jimmy Butler and BAM both starting and they're both not good shooters but they make it work. But then again they have a great coach who is top 3 in the NBA. Olynik is a good 3 pt shooter but he's not helping the problem, he will get smashed down low against guys like BAM, Embiid, Gobert, Val etc.. we need a paint enforcer.

1- Sharpe is big enough to get rb, problem with NOP game was coaching that never adjusted.
2- Prototypical big is unplayable with Ben. Jakob won't be any different than Nic and Nic much better big than him because he can switch, play perimeter and rebound. Jakob only useful in painted area, exactly where Ben be.

We're big enough. Except for maybe Cleveland, there's not a team in the league that can match NOLA's interior. This team's biggest need since Harden was dealt is a true, table setting PG. Another big, stretch or otherwise, is not moving the needle for this team.

[Decipher]

Jakob is not stretch 5 we need so desperately. Olynik is the to have for us. Seth, DDJ AND Sharpe should be enough, also will give us roster spots if we decide to blow it up.

We don't desperately need a stretch 5, we need a big that can bang and be an enforcer downlow. We are going to get outrebounded and teams are going to punish us down in the paint. Just look at the pelicans game, why you think they spanked us? because Zion and Val was out muscling us and getting whatever they want at the rim and we couldn't stop it. We need a tough brute center because KD and Ben is soft, and Clax can only do so much with his thin frame.

We don't have to model our team like every other team in the NBA with shooters at every position. we already have Seph, Joe and Patty who are deadly shooters and Oneal and TJ are average shooters along with 2 elite scorers. HEAT have Jimmy Butler and BAM both starting and they're both not good shooters but they make it work. But then again they have a great coach who is top 3 in the NBA. Olynik is a good 3 pt shooter but he's not helping the problem, he will get smashed down low against guys like BAM, Embiid, Gobert, Val etc.. we need a paint enforcer.

1- Sharpe is big enough to get rb, problem with NOP game was coaching that never adjusted.
2- Prototypical big is unplayable with Ben. Jakob won't be any different than Nic and Nic much better big than him because he can switch, play perimeter and rebound. Jakob only useful in painted area, exactly where Ben be.

Simmons played for years with Embiid and they were statistically one of the best duos in the league so it's unfair to say that he can't play with traditional bigs

One of their problems in the playoffs was that the Sixers never had anyone other than Simmons who could pass at all so the team was left standing around while Embiid went iso

That's not the case here

In any event, I'm talking about a case by case scenario where a guy like Poetl plays when we're up against big bangers and far less against the likes of the Raps, GSW etc

It will be stupid for Simmons to be guarding Adams at the Grizz when he's got a stellar record against Morant

Btw, Poetl grabbed 7 offensive boards against the Sixers tonight & the Spurs killed them on 2nd chance points

[GTR11]

We don't desperately need a stretch 5, we need a big that can bang and be an enforcer downlow. We are going to get outrebounded and teams are going to punish us down in the paint. Just look at the pelicans game, why you think they spanked us? because Zion and Val was out muscling us and getting whatever they want at the rim and we couldn't stop it. We need a tough brute center because KD and Ben is soft, and Clax can only do so much with his thin frame.

We don't have to model our team like every other team in the NBA with shooters at every position. we already have Seph, Joe and Patty who are deadly shooters and Oneal and TJ are average shooters along with 2 elite scorers. HEAT have Jimmy Butler and BAM both starting and they're both not good shooters but they make it work. But then again they have a great coach who is top 3 in the NBA. Olynik is a good 3 pt shooter but he's not helping the problem, he will get smashed down low against guys like BAM, Embiid, Gobert, Val etc.. we need a paint enforcer.

1- Sharpe is big enough to get rb, problem with NOP game was coaching that never adjusted.
2- Prototypical big is unplayable with Ben. Jakob won't be any different than Nic and Nic much better big than him because he can switch, play perimeter and rebound. Jakob only useful in painted area, exactly where Ben be.

Simmons played for years with Embiid and they were statistically one of the best duos in the league so it's unfair to say that he can't play with traditional bigs

One of their problems in the playoffs was that the Sixers never had anyone other than Simmons who could pass at all so the team was left standing around while Embiid went iso

That's not the case here

In any event, I'm talking about a case by case scenario where a guy like Poetl plays when we're up against big bangers and far less against the likes of the Raps, GSW etc

It will be stupid for Simmons to be guarding Adams at the Grizz when he's got a stellar record against Morant

Btw, Poetl grabbed 7 offensive boards against the Sixers tonight & the Spurs killed them on 2nd chance points

1. Biid is not traditional big, he's elite level big who is being misused. Last night after few min even Trash understood he can't play Nic and Ben together, so he used them sporadically with different groups. Luckily for him it worked out OK, still their inability to hit FT or make jumpers is what kept them on the bench for last 3+ min.
2. It's coaching more than roster issue. They got Maxey, Harden, Milton and Biid who can create shots for others, their offense is still stagnant with no movement. Simple high PnR made them look better, but that's not enough to win today.

Stretch 5 like Olynik who can shoot and pass is glaring problem when you have no system coach on this team.

[GTR11]

We don't desperately need a stretch 5, we need a big that can bang and be an enforcer downlow. We are going to get outrebounded and teams are going to punish us down in the paint. Just look at the pelicans game, why you think they spanked us? because Zion and Val was out muscling us and getting whatever they want at the rim and we couldn't stop it. We need a tough brute center because KD and Ben is soft, and Clax can only do so much with his thin frame.

We don't have to model our team like every other team in the NBA with shooters at every position. we already have Seph, Joe and Patty who are deadly shooters and Oneal and TJ are average shooters along with 2 elite scorers. HEAT have Jimmy Butler and BAM both starting and they're both not good shooters but they make it work. But then again they have a great coach who is top 3 in the NBA. Olynik is a good 3 pt shooter but he's not helping the problem, he will get smashed down low against guys like BAM, Embiid, Gobert, Val etc.. we need a paint enforcer.

1- Sharpe is big enough to get rb, problem with NOP game was coaching that never adjusted.
2- Prototypical big is unplayable with Ben. Jakob won't be any different than Nic and Nic much better big than him because he can switch, play perimeter and rebound. Jakob only useful in painted area, exactly where Ben be.

We're big enough. Except for maybe Cleveland, there's not a team in the league that can match NOLA's interior. This team's biggest need since Harden was dealt is a true, table setting PG. Another big, stretch or otherwise, is not moving the needle for this team.

It's not even debatable at this point. Just look at Morris last night, dude is washed and can barely play more than 20 impactfull min, yet made difference late in the game with his ability to shoot and pass.
Marks should explore another trade for Muscala. Dude was right there this off-season, signed for punk ass 3.5 m with OKC

[Papi_swav]

We don't desperately need a stretch 5, we need a big that can bang and be an enforcer downlow. We are going to get outrebounded and teams are going to punish us down in the paint. Just look at the pelicans game, why you think they spanked us? because Zion and Val was out muscling us and getting whatever they want at the rim and we couldn't stop it. We need a tough brute center because KD and Ben is soft, and Clax can only do so much with his thin frame.

We don't have to model our team like every other team in the NBA with shooters at every position. we already have Seph, Joe and Patty who are deadly shooters and Oneal and TJ are average shooters along with 2 elite scorers. HEAT have Jimmy Butler and BAM both starting and they're both not good shooters but they make it work. But then again they have a great coach who is top 3 in the NBA. Olynik is a good 3 pt shooter but he's not helping the problem, he will get smashed down low against guys like BAM, Embiid, Gobert, Val etc.. we need a paint enforcer.

1- Sharpe is big enough to get rb, problem with NOP game was coaching that never adjusted.
2- Prototypical big is unplayable with Ben. Jakob won't be any different than Nic and Nic much better big than him because he can switch, play perimeter and rebound. Jakob only useful in painted area, exactly where Ben be.

We're big enough. Except for maybe Cleveland, there's not a team in the league that can match NOLA's interior. This team's biggest need since Harden was dealt is a true, table setting PG. Another big, stretch or otherwise, is not moving the needle for this team.

We're definitely not big enough at all. Maybe height wise we are but weight wise we're lacking. Claxton is still too light for centers. And Ben is not tough enough to fight for position down low, and KD is a twig. Sharpe is not there yet either, we shouldn't have to depend on a 3rd sting G league player to contribute alot on a contending team. We need a big, point blank period.

[Gooner]

I’m not gonna defend Nash, I agree at this point that he’s not a great coach. I just think he’s getting scapegoated like crazy.

Let’s just keep it in context: we are getting frustrated when our offense stagnates into an iso fest with Kyrie and KD. But let’s also realize that these guys LOVE to iso and have notoriously broken offense game plans so that they can iso…it was an issue for KD especially in GS. What we’re seeing may not improve with a different coach, because it’s kind of just who our two best players are.

I personally am also extremely concerned with just how bad Simmons is offensively. Averaging 5 ppg through these first two games. That’s just awful. He really needs to be some sort of scoring threat to be an effective player, otherwise he’s a lot of dead weight, no matter how good he is defensively. Even if he looks to score more in the in midrange against smaller guys, just do something to put pressure on the defense, jeez.

It shouldn’t be a cause for celebration whenever this guy scores double digits.

Simmons will continue to have these single digit scoring nights as long as he doesn't have 4 shooters around him, that's the reality. Last night he was more agressive, and yet he scored only 6 points. He needs open driving lanes to be some sort of a scorer.

Nash still sucks oh well.

I think the team really needs to play against a couple of **** teams. Pelicans and Raptors are tough and the team needs time to gel especially Simmons.

Raptors are tough but they are not an elite team. Pelicans might be, but this year there is many good teams in both conferences. No easy games and coaching will matter more than ever.

1- Sharpe is big enough to get rb, problem with NOP game was coaching that never adjusted.
2- Prototypical big is unplayable with Ben. Jakob won't be any different than Nic and Nic much better big than him because he can switch, play perimeter and rebound. Jakob only useful in painted area, exactly where Ben be.

We're big enough. Except for maybe Cleveland, there's not a team in the league that can match NOLA's interior. This team's biggest need since Harden was dealt is a true, table setting PG. Another big, stretch or otherwise, is not moving the needle for this team.

We're definitely not big enough at all. Maybe height wise we are but weight wise we're lacking. Claxton is still too light for centers. And Ben is not tough enough to fight for position down low, and KD is a twig. Sharpe is not there yet either, we shouldn't have to depend on a 3rd sting G league player to contribute alot on a contending team. We need a big, point blank period.

Golden State is not big enough, but they are the most dominant team of this era. You play big if you have strong big men. When you have Simmons and a bunch of shooters on the roster, you should play small most of the time.

[ConstableChaos]

how long till teams start hacking Simmons? He looks terrified of getting fouled

[GTR11]

how long till teams start hacking Simmons? He looks terrified of getting fouled

It seems like you not familiar with new rule that was implemented, please look it up.

[TheNetsFan]

We're big enough. Except for maybe Cleveland, there's not a team in the league that can match NOLA's interior. This team's biggest need since Harden was dealt is a true, table setting PG. Another big, stretch or otherwise, is not moving the needle for this team.

We're definitely not big enough at all. Maybe height wise we are but weight wise we're lacking. Claxton is still too light for centers. And Ben is not tough enough to fight for position down low, and KD is a twig. Sharpe is not there yet either, we shouldn't have to depend on a 3rd sting G league player to contribute alot on a contending team. We need a big, point blank period.

Golden State is not big enough, but they are the most dominant team of this era. You play big if you have strong big men. When you have Simmons and a bunch of shooters on the roster, you should play small most of the time.

This. GS imposes their will on the game and plays opposing bigs off the court. There's no opposing big in the East that I am changing the roster construction or philosophy for. That includes Embiid who will assert dominance in the post for a quarter and then get gassed and hoist up 3s for the rest of the game.

If you're talking something like the Mayo rumored deal of Harris+Claxton+Cam for Ayton, where you're clearly upgrading the position, consider it. Just adding another rotation big? No.

[Tha King]

Remember when Dinwiddie called Claxton the second most talented player on the team after KD? I aint forget...

He is one of the very few players in this league that can actually switch 1-5 and is now a solid to good rim protector. Offensively, let's not forget he used to be a point guard and was making plays off the dribble (and taking threes) at UGA/GLeague. So there is potential there. If he can add a little more offensively to go along with his defense...that is a very good player. The big thing with him though has always been being available and playing in games consistently.

ISO ball nearly lost the game and led to some ugly basketball throughout. It's been said before but KD especially will need to adjust how he plays because his ISOs aren't as effective as they used to be and stagnate the offense. The personnel is there for an elite offense that is predicated on ball movement.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I’m not gonna defend Nash, I agree at this point that he’s not a great coach. I just think he’s getting scapegoated like crazy.

Let’s just keep it in context: we are getting frustrated when our offense stagnates into an iso fest with Kyrie and KD. But let’s also realize that these guys LOVE to iso and have notoriously broken offense game plans so that they can iso…it was an issue for KD especially in GS. What we’re seeing may not improve with a different coach, because it’s kind of just who our two best players are.

I personally am also extremely concerned with just how bad Simmons is offensively. Averaging 5 ppg through these first two games. That’s just awful. He really needs to be some sort of scoring threat to be an effective player, otherwise he’s a lot of dead weight, no matter how good he is defensively. Even if he looks to score more in the in midrange against smaller guys, just do something to put pressure on the defense, jeez.

It shouldn’t be a cause for celebration whenever this guy scores double digits.

I still don't think the offense is the issue at all.

We always find ways to score. And Simmons gets pass for now while recovering from major injury.

The problem with Nash has always been defense. I don't think its acceptable how we are always putrid on that end no matter what players we have.

Be AVERAGE. Thats all we have ever asked. Nash can't do it.

[Hello Brooklyn]

People are obsessed with saying Nets do not have enough size.

I mean what exactly is the problem with Claxton. Yes hes not super heavy but hes 7 feet and very athletic.

Simmons can also guard big men for stretches.

The Warriors rely on who exactly? Kevon Looney? As if hes some elite defensive stopper?

Celtics basically did fine without Rob Williams many times.

If the Nets really wanted they could probably use Joe Harris and make a trade for Clint Capela. But I don't believe its necessary.

If you don't like Sharpe then look for another backup big. But otherwise I'm good with the roster.

[ChuckS]

[quote="therealbig3"]I’m not gonna defend Nash, I agree at this point that he’s not a great coach. I just think he’s getting scapegoated like crazy.

Let’s just keep it in context: we are getting frustrated when our offense stagnates into an iso fest with Kyrie and KD. But let’s also realize that these guys LOVE to iso and have notoriously broken offense game plans so that they can iso…it was an issue for KD especially in GS. What we’re seeing may not improve with a different coach, because it’s kind of just who our two best players are. [/quote]


I was going to ignore this so as not to digress from some good discussion, and since I'm new here not to further convince people after a few posts that I'm just a Durant sycophant instead of just a simple lover of the game. But there was another Durant ISO post later and I began to think that ISOing has gotten to mean bad.

Every player at one time or another ISOs. The greats are just really good at it. And yes, a good motion offense allows shooting specialists and even non shooters to get open shots. But it is more important for exceptional coaches to get their best players isolated from too much help defense or on lesser defenders (on picks and switches). In our case of course they are Kevin and Kyrie. Success is a made basket and what better chance is there of that being accomplished than by high efficiency shooters with the highest PPG averages. Of course the motion ends with the make or foul, but it seems ridiculous to me to blame someone for the success. There is, therefor, nothing wrong with isolating within the concepts of the offense.

A good player should also not be condemned for ISOing when a good offense has broken down or been negated by a good defense, because it often allows the team to survive the crisis. And needless to say, there is nothing else for a great player to do in a lousy offense but ISO to try to steal a win. Yes, a player can be a "black hole" or stat crazy. I find that hard to believe with Durant, who last year had more assists than anyone but the point guard (Harden) and no one else was even close. In the playoffs, with the whole defense concentrating on him he was our leader in assists.

As far as any issue or problem in GS, I didn't see it and I watched most games. It will be hard to believe after reading this, but I started watching them more because one of my favorite modern day players is Andre Iguodala. He's someone else I would always want on my team. I'm a skeptic myself, so I don't expect you to believe me. But what KD's former teammates there think is another matter:

Steph Curry -- "I love that dude" -- "Curry said his reaction to a Durant return would be a Hell Yeah" -- https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2022/9/12/23349168/curry-was-interested-in-kd-return

Klay Thompson -- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10053107-klay-thompson-it-bothers-me-when-people-dont-talk-about-kevin-durants-greatness

Draymond Green -- https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/draymond-green-why-warriors-needed-kevin-durant-win-2017-18-nba-titles

[GTR11]

I’m not gonna defend Nash, I agree at this point that he’s not a great coach. I just think he’s getting scapegoated like crazy.

Let’s just keep it in context: we are getting frustrated when our offense stagnates into an iso fest with Kyrie and KD. But let’s also realize that these guys LOVE to iso and have notoriously broken offense game plans so that they can iso…it was an issue for KD especially in GS. What we’re seeing may not improve with a different coach, because it’s kind of just who our two best players are.

I was going to ignore this so as not to digress from some good discussion, and since I'm new here not to further convince people after a few posts that I'm just a Durant sycophant instead of just a simple lover of the game. But there was another Durant ISO post later and I began to think that ISOing has gotten to mean bad.

Every player at one time or another ISOs. The greats are just really good at it. And yes, a good motion offense allows shooting specialists and even non shooters to get open shots. But it is more important for exceptional coaches to get their best players isolated from too much help defense or on lesser defenders (on picks and switches). In our case of course they are Kevin and Kyrie. Success is a made basket and what better chance is there of that being accomplished than by high efficiency shooters with the highest PPG averages. Of course the motion ends with the make or foul, but it seems ridiculous to me to blame someone for the success. There is, therefor, nothing wrong with isolating within the concepts of the offense.

A good player should also not be condemned for ISOing when a good offense has broken down or been negated by a good defense, because it often allows the team to survive the crisis. And needless to say, there is nothing else for a great player to do in a lousy offense but ISO to try to steal a win. Yes, a player can be a "black hole" or stat crazy. I find that hard to believe with Durant, who last year had more assists than anyone but the point guard (Harden) and no one else was even close. In the playoffs, with the whole defense concentrating on him he was our leader in assists. Another good example was in this game. He was really off early but had the skill, confidence, and guts to take and make the go ahead three at the end. If he were interested in being a hero or seeking glory he wouldn't have passed the ball back to Royce for the game clinching three. The way KD plays makes everyone feel important and realize their own potential.

As far as any issue or problem in GS, I didn't see it and I watched most games. It will be hard to believe after reading this, but I started watching them more because one of my favorite modern day players is Andre Iguodala. He's someone else I would always want on my team. I'm a skeptic myself, so I don't expect you to believe me. But what KD's former teammates there think is another matter:

Steph Curry -- "I love that dude" -- "Curry said his reaction to a Durant return would be a Hell Yeah" -- https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2022/9/12/23349168/curry-was-interested-in-kd-return

Klay Thompson -- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10053107-klay-thompson-it-bothers-me-when-people-dont-talk-about-kevin-durants-greatness

Draymond Green -- https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/draymond-green-why-warriors-needed-kevin-durant-win-2017-18-nba-titles

Most of us quick to single out ISO plays because of last year, it didn't come out from nowhere for us to start freaking out. Last year ISO plays been ran over 70% at some point with KD and Kyrie up to 80+. Offense became stagnant and team was frustrating to watch. Them ISO numbers dropped because KD was hurt and Harden got traded.

We understand the fact ISO plays useful to change momentum or close out games, but you can't use it as main part of your offense period. GSW run over 80 through systematic offense where ball moves around for open jumpers ( mainly Curry ), they use ISO when they have clear mismatch advantages, and they ISO and single out particular players. We don't ISO the way they do, that's why it's maddening.

[ChuckS]

[quote="GTR11"][quote="ChuckS"][quote="therealbig3"]

Most of us quick to single out ISO plays because of last year, it didn't come out from nowhere for us to start freaking out. Last year ISO plays been ran over 70% at some point with KD and Kyrie up to 80+. Offense became stagnant and team was frustrating to watch. Them ISO numbers dropped because KD was hurt and Harden got traded.

We understand the fact ISO plays useful to change momentum or close out games, but you can't use it as main part of your offense period. GSW run over 80 through systematic offense where ball moves around for open jumpers ( mainly Curry ), they use ISO when they have clear mismatch advantages, and they ISO and single out particular players. We don't ISO the way they do, that's why it's maddening.[/quote]


I actually agree with you. I'm not sure where you stand, but where I disagree with the other two posters is in the implication that KD is running amok and ignoring a game plan because he wants to just ISO like some maverick because it's in his nature and he likes it. He is a consummate team player. I'm not going to blame Kyrie because I don't know what has gone on. But it was not KD who said something like we don't need a coach. I think some fans have been tying them together because they are good friends and KD refused to throw him under the bus this summer. I could never think of doing that to a friend and teammate either. Maybe it's the time in which, or the way, I grew up. But contrary to some public opinion, I do not believe Kevin Durant is running the offense or the team.

Most of all I do not think he is stupid enough not to realize that his greatest successes, two league championships with finals MVPs, and four FIBA golds with an olympics MVP, came under no nonsense, great coaches, Kerr, Pops, and K. I think the implication that he wanted and likes a pushover for coach is ludicrous. But this is what the coaches think:

https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-media/steve-kerr-says-kevin-durant-is-the-most-gifted-player-of-all-time-michael-jordan-magic-johnson-larry-bird-theyre-in-awe-of-kevin

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/07/08/gregg-popovich-i-would-have-begged-cried-done-anything-to-get-kevin-durant-on-team-usa/

Having implied that the coaches and assistants determine the offense, I still think that Nash was dealt a bad hand last year. I like what he's trying to do with it this year. So I don't want to throw him under the bus either - yet.

[sashaturiaf]

You guys are right i should be more patient with the Simmons/Claxton combo

If we had a competent head coach I probably wouldn't panic but those doubles on KD and Kyrie in half court give me PTSD from the Boston series. They handled the double teams well last night

Get what you mean, bad starts have been a constant of this era. Even in our best year with the Scary Hours (lol) lineup we started slow because of Deandre. It's PTSD at this point, why are we always playing from behind.

[3pt_chucker]

Marks should trade for Markkanen or Olynyck. Both are great fits next to Ben/Claxton whether as starters or off the bench.