Road to a Championship start here, 2022 Draft.

[Funcrusher]

Reggie is so dumb man. what in sam hell is he talking about?

[Whole Truth]

Nice outlet by Daniels, solid game from him.

[Whole Truth]

23 FT's to 8... Notice the physicality they're allowing Brooks on BI vs Ja..

[Funcrusher]

Nice outlet by Daniels, solid game from him.

Hopefully he doesn't miss two free throws down the stretch in the clutch, oterwise Willie will never play him again

[Whole Truth]

Jose, Jose, Jose....

[Whole Truth]

I ain't mad at it. call for the love CJ..

[Whole Truth]

Wow Jose great pick

[Duke4life831]

Cj and bench played great. BI had a good 1st half but didnt do anything in the 2nd.

But ya I really really hope we see the rotation of Jose/CJ/Daniels/?/Nance. That is a great bench rotation. You can put Trey/Herb/Naji in that 4 spot, doesnt really matter. That is a good energetic lineup to put around CJ. Much much better than a CJ/Graham/Zion trio haha.

[Duke4life831]

23 FT's to 8... Notice the physicality they're allowing Brooks on BI vs Ja..

Ya I think BI let the aggression plus no calls get to him in the 2nd. That drive in the 4th where he just got murdered and no call was so ridiculously bad.

[Whole Truth]

It was a great win. 5 on 8.

[Whole Truth]

Without Bane spacing, Memphis couldn't afford to play Adams who only got 13mins. A big part of what Memphis does, is own the boards & 2nd chance points. Jonas matched those 13 mins with 14 but Nance was clearly the better matchup for Aldama who couldn't handle him in the post. Nance has been playing great all year even in losses.

No real surprise why NO's ultimately won however, CJ found his game. I'm just hoping it's not because 2 of 4 options weren't playing but it's a possibility. CJ was balanced by a defensive rotation of Nance, Herb, Daniesl & Alvarado. Still think that's where he would thrive if NO's start Zion & BI even if it's an early sub. Get a defensive guard on court for either or both Jonas & Zion. CJ showed last night he would be better on ball off the bench with Nance & another defensive guard like Daniels or Jose ...

Pels have not had a freindly whistle all year, even on home court... Kinda felt like they were playing in Memphis the love Ja got in relation to BI and Pels. When last CJ blew up at the refs like that ?

That call CJ got T'd up for, match that play with how Brooks was allowed to smother BI running through screens lol. It was a very noticeable difference.. When u see Pels get favored to win without Zion, someone bet big money against the non favorite, favorites. lol, I hope u lost big.

Alvarado is the pulse of the team.

That was arguably the Pels best game of the season. Now lets see them do it when Zion is inegrated back in. Like I mentioned earlier, u see where CJ prospered tonight Jose, CJ, Daniels, (Herb/Murphy), Nance... That's the bench unit. I would move Daniels defense in with either or both Jonas & Zion starting.... Daniels, (Herb/Murphy), BI, Zion, Jonas

[Duke4life831]

The issue going forward is I dont have any doubt CJ can find rhythm when he is putting up 20+ shots and getting a Time Per Possession of 6. The question is can CJ find a rhythm when he gets 13 shots and has a Time Per Possession of sub 4?

That is what Willie needs to find out. Willie needs to put him in rotations where maybe he wont play enough minutes to get 20 shots, but when he is on the floor he is on that pace. I think that is why that defensive lineup around him looked really good last night, and I think you can bring that rotation even with Zion back.

But again I feel like the obvious solution to this has been staring everyone in the face (all 3 people on here seem to recognize this haha). If you just bring CJ off the bench and stagger the lineups all this becomes much easier to do. Avoid the CJ/Zion rotations for as much as you can. That is 16 easy minutes for CJ with no Zion. Then spread out the other 9 minutes or so where he does play with him. Lets keep trying that CJ surrounded by defensive rotation, it looked good and on paper all the pieces seem to fit great together.

[Whole Truth]

Jonas
Zion
BI
Herb/Murphy
Daniels/Jose

Nance
Hern/Murphy
Naji
CJ
Jose/Daniels

[Duke4life831]

Really solid 1st half. CJ with some lazy passing, but his shot has been money. BI and his shot has been awful, but he's defending and passing and running the offense beautifully. Herb knocking down open shots, Trey just flat out beasting. Fun first half.

[Whole Truth]

Murphy em fuego.

[Whole Truth]

Even with BI's shot being off, he's only behind Herb at +12 in a 5 point game.

[Duke4life831]

Even with BI's shot being off, he's only behind Herb at +12 in a 5 point game.

He is running the offense so well right now. 8 assists to just 1 TO. That full court pass right after the board was a thing of beauty.

Basically everyone not named Naji/Graham have played their roles so well tonight. Its also not like Graham/Naji have been awful, they just havent brought anything. Everyone else just flat out clicking. Maybe the most complete game of the season so far.

Edit: Graham came in and nailed 2 3s and did his job haha.

[Duke4life831]

By far the most complete game from this team this year. Everyone just clicked. CJ's passing improved in the 2nd, BI started getting to the line in the 2nd and ended up having more points than FGAs. And everyone else just did exactly what they should. That was a nice looking game.

[Whole Truth]

By far the most complete game from this team this year. Everyone just clicked. CJ's passing improved in the 2nd, BI started getting to the line in the 2nd and ended up having more points than FGAs. And everyone else just did exactly what they should. That was a nice looking game.

This is happening in large part because Daniels defense has been utilized in the last 2 games. In the 3rd Q when NO's were opening their lead with Jonas on court. Bulls went small, athletic to try & tun Jonas off the court targeting him in the pnr. Didn't happen because when he got beat at the perimeter, Daniels was there with the help & holding his own again in the post & on the boards.. The Nance/Daniels 1-5 pnr defense is going to be huge. Nance we know can hold his own on the perimeter, Daniels was effectively switching into the post for a legit 1-5 defender. This is why I had interest in Simmons but Daniels on rookie scale with no issues, will do nicely, lol.

Problem here is when Zion comes back. If Willie goes back to Jonas, Zion, BI, CJ the defense will disappear again. I'm not insulting talent when I say either Jonas or Zion & or both need a defensive gaurd like Daniels to help erase their defensive mistakes like last night. Jonas last night was able to put up 22pts on 13 shots because Daniels allowed him to remain on court when Bulls went small.

BI as you point out was very effective running the offense. So you have BI initiating, Daniels & ZIon as secondary ball handlers but Zion with a better defensve balance. If spacing is needed, Murphy over Herb. From that point Willie can determine the need for Nance's defense or not.

Last 2 games show how much more effective CJ is playing with the defensive bench. Trying to get him going with 3 other very capable offensive threats while defense is needed, ain't it.

WG seems to have figured out his balanced lineups, which is good to see but as I just mentioned. Zion returning will throw that off if 1 of the 4 top 4 offensive options, is not replaced by a defensive compliment in the starting unit. As u say lol, the 3 of us here know who the best option to move to the bench is & why. CJ is far more effective with Nance behind him than Jonas & Jonas/Zion would be more effective with a defensive guard like Daniels. Replacing Jonas with Nance would not be as effective all things considered. In part because Zion still requires better ball pressure.

Take CJ out for Daniels. CJ's offense benefits the defensive bench unit where it's not as needed or effective splitting with the starters in high usage. All of Zion, BI & Daniels can handle, create or play make to varying degree's, if spacing is an issue with Dyson/Herb, sub Herb for Murphy. Where as if u replace Jonas with Nance, rebounding suffers, size is an issue & Nance would get run down over the course of the season in that heavy cleanup role.

Still thinking - Jax, Daniels & a Bucks first for Poeltl or maybe Claxton if Nets blow it up to give Nance some help, depth on the defensive end.

[Duke4life831]

By far the most complete game from this team this year. Everyone just clicked. CJ's passing improved in the 2nd, BI started getting to the line in the 2nd and ended up having more points than FGAs. And everyone else just did exactly what they should. That was a nice looking game.

This is happening in large part because Daniels defense has been utilized in the last 2 games. In the 3rd Q when NO's were opening their lead with Jonas on court. Bulls went small, athletic to try & tun Jonas off the court targeting him in the pnr. Didn't happen because when he got beat at the perimeter, Daniels was there with the help & holding his own again in the post & on the boards.. The Nance/Daniels 1-5 pnr defense is going to be huge. Nance we know can hold his own on the perimeter, Daniels was effectively switching into the post for a legit 1-5 defender. This is why I had interest in Simmons but Daniels on rookie scale with no issues, will do nicely, lol.

Problem here is when Zion comes back. If Willie goes back to Jonas, Zion, BI, CJ the defense will disappear again. I'm not insulting talent when I say either Jonas or Zion & or both need a defensive gaurd like Daniels to help erase their defensive mistakes like last night. Jonas last night was able to put up 22pts on 13 shots because Daniels allowed him to remain on court when Bulls went small.

BI as you point out was very effective running the offense. So you have BI initiating, Daniels & ZIon as secondary ball handlers but Zion with a better defensve balance. If spacing is needed, Murphy over Herb. From that point Willie can determine the need for Nance's defense or not.

Last 2 games show how much more effective CJ is playing with the defensive bench. Trying to get him going with 3 other very capable offensive threats while defense is needed, ain't it.

WG seems to have figured out his balanced lineups, which is good to see but as I just mentioned. Zion returning will throw that off if 1 of the 4 top 4 offensive options, is not replaced by a defensive compliment in the starting unit. As u say lol, the 3 of us here know who the best option to move to the bench is & why. CJ is far more effective with Nance behind him than Jonas & Jonas/Zion would be more effective with a defensive guard like Daniels. Replacing Jonas with Nance would not be as effective all things considered. In part because Zion still requires better ball pressure.

Take CJ out for Daniels. CJ's offense benefits the defensive bench unit where it's not as needed or effective splitting with the starters in high usage. All of Zion, BI & Daniels can handle, create or play make to varying degree's, if spacing is an issue with Dyson/Herb, sub Herb for Murphy. Where as if u replace Jonas with Nance, rebounding suffers, size is an issue & Nance would get run down over the course of the season in that heavy cleanup role.

Still thinking - Jax, Daniels & a Bucks first for Poeltl or maybe Claxton if Nets blow it up to give Nance some help, depth on the defensive end.

Ya there are plenty of benefits for Daniels in the starting lineup. Size and defense are two obvious ones. But also its good for his development as a player as well. When you play alongside BI and Zion youre not going to be asked to do anything big when it comes to the offensive end. Also it helps with his shot, because his shot by itself isnt horrible, the biggest problem with it (this was the big problem last year as well), its so slow. This is why he has always had such inconsistent shooting numbers. When he gets to take his time and shoot normally, it being slow doesnt effect him. When he is trying to shoot from the perimeter and a defender is on him, he really messes with his shot. So playing heavy minutes with 2 guys that suck up as much gravity as BI and Zion does, he should be able to get good wide open in game reps while over the next year or so while working on speeding up the shot.

If we go off of the minutes from the last 2 games, when Zion returns it appears that Graham is going to be the one left out of the rotation. Which should be a very good thing. Which means no defensive liabilities coming off the bench at all.

I am very curious on how active Griffin and company are going to be when it comes to trades. This team is still really young so if they're cool with just making another trip to the playoffs and see if they can maybe win a series, Im all cool with that. But if they feel like the West is weak this year and they can maybe make an extended playoff run, there seems to be 2 obvious moves to make (roster moves).

1. Get a big that fits with Zion. A few On/Off numbers so far
Zion with no Jonas: +9.6
Zion with Jonas: -1.4
Zion with Nance: +15

2. Upgrade Naji. This is no shot at Naji whatsoever, the dude plays really hard every game. But he is a very limited offensive player and just an average defender who gets 20 minutes per game. You could make the argument that once playoffs come around that Jose and Daniels will jump him in the rotation and the rotation itself will be cut down. But a legit 3&D strong wing vet could be very valuable (ala Otto Porter for GS last year off the bench).

But again if Griff and the front office decide to just let this season ride out with who they got, I have no issues with that. But ya even if they do that, moving CJ to the bench on paper should take this team to another level. Because it should help maximize all the player's roles on the team.