Game 57: Cavs @ 76ers

[Skates]

Shake and Niang suffer greatly against long and athletic teams. The most effective core of the bench in those games is Maxey-Reed-McDaniels, but there is only one scorer in that bunch and it makes Maxey too easy to key on. Having the first team centered around Harden and Embiid and adding Harris to that bench unit could be a big help. It would be great to get a wing that can score and at least reasonably defend, same with a lead guard, but will Doc play them over Shake or Niang even if we can find them?

[blargh]

My observation from Shake is he benefits from consistency: he’s more comfortable making plays when he know who and where the other 4 players are going to be. He played best when he was starting, but i think we can give him that comfort level if we lock in the rotation. The play style of the bench is just so different depending on which center we have in there.