Road to a Championship start here, 2022 Draft.

[Whole Truth]

I want to paint a picture for the Pels brain trust.

The 4 games since CJ returned to action with the starting 5.

W - vs Phill (with no Embiid) - CJ 16 FGA's, Zion 12, with Philly having no post presence.
W - vs 3 win Spurs (without Wemby) - CJ 18 FGA's, Zion 9 , with Spurs having no post presence
W vs Kings - CJ 14 FGA's, 2nd to BI in this one, Zion 8
L vs LA - CJ 14 FGA's in 25 mins (4-14), Zion 8 (6-8)

Last 4 games with Daniels starting, prior to CJ's return

W - vs Kings - Zion 16 FGA's, Daniels 4
W - vs Kings - Zion 16 FGA's, Daniels 9
W - vs Clippers - Zion 25 FGA's, Daniels 7
L - vs Utah - Zion 16 FGA, Daniels 6 & this is with Utah zoning with a lengthy shot blocker & NO's having their top 3 shooters out. Lost by 2pts, 1 possession.

Notice a trend in ZIon's FGA's, aggression, with & without CJ ? Some might try to rationalized CJ is taking open shots, he's not & both the games against 2 teams devoid of a post presence with CJ doubling up Zion in shot attempts vs Spurs without Wemby should be telling of his ball & shot dominance affecting Zion's offensive involvement. CJ is not functioning as an off ball catch & shoot option. He's functioning as the primary option & in taking 18 shots in the Spurs game, BI was also thrown for a loop. Good thing Spurs were a 3 win team without their best player or that game would have been a loss with both CJ & BI trying to shoot themselves into a rhythm.

Hope you are aware your decision to start CJ is tanking your best assets value !

[Whole Truth]

To make it worse, Daniels was producing wins as a starter with no bench CJ, Murphy, Jose & Ryan all out. Where as CJ has had Daniels & as of late Murphy & Jose off the bench in a softer schedule.

Starters with Dyson 84 mins +22 / +.078 3pt% vs harder schedule
Starters with CJ 96 mins -6.8 / -.137 3pt% vs softer schedule

Every start CJ makes you let me know it's not about what's best for the team. Also telling, you have no issues benching Jonas for a 3rd stringer. Is CJ's reputation above this team success ?

I'll know the answer by who starts next game.

[Whole Truth]

The outlier in Daniels starts was Utah. With all the teams shooters out, they played zone with a lengthy shot blocker & forced the role players to beat them. Pels lost by 2 where if they had just one shooter available to help the struggling bench & subs ... it's a win.

vs Lakers zone with Davis as the shot blocker, NO's had all of CJ, Murphy & Jose available to space the floor. NO's got off to a slow start to the game with CJ's spacing over Daniels defense, to the 2nd Q with Zion small ball 5 with CJ & then the half after watching the -21 in 14 min CJ matchup with Lebron. Not to mention, CJ in the closing sub of the 2nd Q for Daniels, that opened the 13pt lead into the half. Where the Daniels sub from the slow start to the 2nd Q got the game to within a possession before being subbed back out for CJ because Green wanted to match his veteran leadership against Lebron lol where he was clearly being obliterated in the matchup. Ending the game -38 in 25 **** mins. Should have been obvious it was a bad matchup.

As a result everyone is making fun & fat shaming Zion, when he's been this way all yr. With Green justifying his behavior by telling him, he & BI are the best duo in the league without accomplishment. You never give credit where it not due. Say, you could be the best duo in the league or I think you have the potential to be the best duo in the league. Not you are because they aren't. NO's are barely over 500.

[Whole Truth]

I see NO's fans mentioning Pascal for Zion --- IMO they have the right concept, wrong target. IMO the target should be a lotto team that is desperate to start winning. A team like Detroit who has talent but headed for another the top 3 pick in a disaster of a season. What I like about Detroit as a target, is that they also have their C of the future in Duren. So my intent would be to offer Zion for their top 5 pick Alex Sarr. Where Pascal is not a 5 & on a max contract. Sarr is & his rookie scale addresses the cap & extension issues, which allows NO's to retain their quality depth & move Murphy's 3pt gravity into the starting rotation.

Sarr might not have Zion's top 5 player ceiling but he's a mobile 2 way 7'1" center with potential range. He can guard 1-5 & not be an offensive liability.

NO's trade - (Zion) to Detroit for (A top 5 pick Alex Sarr, Joe Harris 20m expiring contract & FRP/s ? if Zion still holds enough value). I personally would be fine with Sarr & the expiring, the picks would be gravy for what my intentions would be.

Extend Jonas 2yrs with a team option yr, for quality depth & to be a temporary stop gap to Sarr's development. So instead of Pascal large salary & questionable fit at C. That target is replaced with better depth by resigning Jonas & a rookie scale 2 way C with potential for the future. The expiring value in trade allowing NO's to keep their quality depth (Jonas, Murphy, Naji, Ryan) with the money shed.

Alex Sarr - Jonas - Zeller
Murphy - Nance
BI - Naji - Ryan
Herb - Hawkins
Daniels - CJ - Jose

While Sarr might not have top 5 player potential the trade off in moving ZIon for him & why Detroit would consider having Duren as a prospect, that NO's starting 5 has the potential to be a #1 defense pairing the mobile 7'1" defender with Herb & Daniels. Besides Sarr being an upgrade defensively over Jonas. So is moving the floor spacer Murphy into the rotation over Zion at PF. With Murphy's 3pt gravity over Zion's paint gravity, it makes playing Daniels elite man defense a more viable option as well. Everyone in that lineup capable of hitting an open 3 & has potential for growth still. Combined with Murphy's 3pt gravity & BI's 3 level scoring, that defensive lineup should also be able to score in the half court. However, with that defensive potential, I'd also expect a very good transition offense. So while there's no superstar true #1, I think that team can be a true contender by the sum of it's parts.

[Whole Truth]

Why I think Detroit who's headed for a guaranteed top 3 pick, in Sarr's range, considers the trade off.

After this embarrassing season & being in the lottery forever it seems, they're going to want to win, put fans in the stands to generate more revenue. Zion shows he can stay healthy for the remainder of the yr & NO's build back up his value from recent events ... he should be a good gamble for them. Having Duren as a successful prospect, makes the concept of swapping the unknown potential of Sarr for the known & proven potential of a top 5 player, a good trade risk for that goal of exiting being a lotto team.

Duren
Zion
Thompson
Ivey
Cunningham

Over taking a risk on Sarr with Duren as a successful rookie prospect at his position. Zion & Cunningham should be a good 1-2 combo with the defensive compliments Detroit currently has. In short I see a potential trade match to improve both teams.

[Whole Truth]

Why NO's take the risk of moving Zion for the rookie Sarr.

#1 - Cap, It addresses the cap situation, while resetting potential value.
#2 - Fit, The biggest hole on roster be it future or quality depth, is addressed with a mobile 2 way 7'1" centre with potential.
#3 - Murphy 3pt efficiency, defense & spacing over ZIon's 2pt efficiency, lack of defense/rebounding, paint gravity & 1 spacer.
#4 - The change in spacing actually improves the complimentary players. With Dyson's defensive acumen benefiting most.
#5 - The defensive upgrade at C with Sarr, at PF with Murphy & at point with Daniels = #1 defensive potential.
#6 - BI propensity for the mid range no longer has to co exist with Zion's paint gravity.
#7 - In shedding salary in trade, retention of quality depth - (Jonas, Murphy, Naji, Ryan)
#8 - NO's no longer have to cater to Zion's will.

If your team is the #1 defense, capable in the half court, with potential to be very good in transition off their very high defensive ceiling, do you still need a top 5 player? I mean this team reached top 6 in defense with just herb & 4 non defenders. We saw over a 10 game span against good competition the potential of pairing Herb with Daniels man defense. Now combine that with a mobile 7'1" 1-5 defender at the rim, I'd be shocked if they don't reach top 3 at the very least in defense. I say this while being fully aware if you can't put the ball in the hoop yourself, it affects your defensive efficiency. I think they would be capable but if not & I'm wrong about the combination of skillsets, CJ remaining a starter would also be a more viable offensive option not being paired with Zion's defense, more so both Jonas & Zion. Understand, why I'm calling for Daniels to start over CJ with Jonas & Zion up front. NO's could toggle options between Murphy & CJ with the 3 + defenders, if they need more creation ability.. Move Bi to the 4, having the 7'1" shot blocker behind him.

[Whole Truth]

I'm closing with this -Understand, your players strengths & weaknesses...

Zion's greatest asset is his scoring efficiency, he's not a good rebounder or defender.
CJ's greatest asset is his creation/shooting ability, he's not very efficient or a good defender.

What happens when you pair the 2 & CJ ends up taking twice the FGA's on far less efficiency ?

You take a player who's contribution is "high volume" efficiency & reduce him to a defensive joke.

VS Lakers Zion was (6-8) -33, which is low volume efficiency, extrapolate that to the 16 attempts per game he averages when playing with Daniels defense. Instead you think it best to pair him starters & bench with CJ's inefficiency for spacing despite the defensive limitations of the pair. CJ was (4-14) while compounding the defensive issue. You can't put efficient scorers on the court with no defense & let less efficient players jack up less efficient shots. It's why most wanted Jonas traded last yr, you stopped utilizing him offensively, which just made him a defensive liability.

Zion is clearly deferring to the less efficient vet when CJ is on the floor. I pointed that out in the post above. The FGA's & usage are a complete reverse with Daniels starting over CJ. With CJ starting ZIon is averaging 8-10 FGA's to CJ's 14-16, With Daniels starting, Zion is averaging 14-16 FGA's a game to Daniels 6-8. With the added benefit of Daniels defense covering an issue instead of exploiting it further with CJ in volume inefficiency.

Vs Lakers -

- ZIon & CJ started the game slow, had to fight to tie the game early mid 1st. NO's ended the Q up 1
- Zion & CJ started the 2nd Q spotting LA a comfortable lead.
- After Jonas, BI & Dyson subs got it to within a 1 possession game. The Zion & CJ sub ballooned the Laker lead back to 13.
- Zion & CJ come back out to start a 17pt NO's 3rd Q blowout.

There was a reason Lebron was subbed out 1st Q in a tie game with 6mins remaining. They wanted that Zion at the 5 Zone match. This duo got rolled. What's killing me is NO's went to it clearly not working 4 times in 25 minutes for a -38 result. Here's where I point out in the 40pt blow out Daniels was +2 in his 17mins.

I don't know what your reasoning is or was but the decision to use CJ the way he's being used is to a team detriment.

[Whole Truth]

I'm closing with this -Understand, your players strengths & weaknesses...

Zion's greatest asset is his "high volume scoring efficiency", he's not a good rebounder or defender.
CJ's greatest asset is his creation/shooting ability, he's not very efficient or a good defender.

What happens when you pair the 2 & CJ ends up taking twice the FGA's on far less efficiency ?

You take a player who's contribution is "high volume" efficiency & reduce him to a defensive joke.

VS Lakers Zion was (6-8) -33, which is low volume efficiency, extrapolate that to the 16 attempts per game he averages when playing with Daniels defense. Instead you think it best to pair him starters & bench with CJ's inefficiency for spacing despite the defensive limitations of the pair. CJ was (4-14) while compounding the defensive issue. You can't put efficient scorers on the court who play no defense & let less efficient players jack up less efficient shots where they become higher volume. It's why most wanted Jonas traded last yr, you stopped utilizing his offensive efficiency, which just made him a defensive liability.

Zion is clearly deferring to the less efficient vet when CJ is on the floor. I pointed that out in the post above. The FGA's & usage are a complete reverse with Daniels starting over CJ. With CJ starting, ZIon is averaging 8-10 FGA's to CJ's 14-16, With Daniels starting, Zion is averaging 14-16 FGA's, to Daniels 6-8, it's no happy a coincidence. CJ is the primary with Zion on court, not his off ball option. While losing Zion's efficiency & Daniels defense to CJ's low efficiency dominance in relation.

Vs Lakers -

- ZIon & CJ started the game slow, had to fight to tie the game early mid 1st. NO's ended the Q up 1
- Zion & CJ started the 2nd Q spotting LA a comfortable lead.
- After Jonas, BI & Dyson subs got it to within a 1 possession game. The Zion & CJ sub ballooned the Laker lead back to 13.
- Zion & CJ come back out to start a 17pt NO's 3rd Q blowout.

There was a reason Lebron was subbed out 1st Q in a tie game with 6mins remaining. They wanted that Zion at the 5 Zone match. This duo got rolled. What's killing me is NO's went to it clearly not working 4 times in 25 minutes for a -38 result. Here's where I point out in the 40pt blow out Daniels was +2 in his 17mins.

I don't know what your reasoning is or was but the decision to use CJ the way he's being used is to a team detriment.

[Whole Truth]

Stephen A. Zion's going to eat his way to NY for Randolph & NO's is going to like it. Me. Fat chance, pun intended.

NY fans need to realize NY has nothing NO's want or need. While Zion has issues to correct, THE problem is not Zion. All you have to do is go & look at his last 4 games with Daniels vs the last 4 games with CJ & you should see what you need to see.

Let me help -

Zion last 4 games with Daniels, keep in mind Zion is playing mins with a bench short CJ, Murphy, Jose & Ryan.

vs Kings (129 - 93) W Zion 16 FGA's 26pts +32 / Dyson 4 FGA's 3pts +28
vs Kings (117 - 112) W Zion 16 FGA's 25pts -1 / Dyson 9 FGA's 9pts -7
vs Clippers (116 - 106) W Zion 25 FGA's 32pts -1 / Dyson 7 FGA's 7pts +18
vs Utah (112 - 114) L Zion 16 FGA's, 26pts +3 / Dyson 6 FGA's 2pts -6

Over the last 4 games with Daniels starting, Zion put up 73 FGA's 109pts / Daniels 26 FGA's 25pts total

Zion last 4 games with CJ, keep in mind this is with all of Daniels, Murphy & Jose available.

vs Philly (without Embiid) (124 - 114) W Zion 12 FGA's 33pts +16 / CJ 16 FGA's 20pts +19
vs Spurs (without Wemby) (121 - 106) W Zion 9 FGA's 12pts +12 / CJ 18 FGA's 19pts +16
vs Kings (127 - 117) W Zion 8 FGA's 10pts +4 / CJ 14 FGA's 17pts -4
vs LA (133 - 89) L Zion 8 FGA's 13pts -33 / CJ 14 FGA's 9pts -38

Over the last 4 games with CJ starting, Zion put up 37 FGA's 68pts / CJ 62 FGA's 67pts total, inflated by playing 2 teams without their starting centers.

Literally the only difference in Zion's offensive efficiency in their last 4 games from Daniels to CJ is his volume of attempts 73 w Daniels, 37 w CJ. So in playing with Daniels lower usage you have increased offensive efficiency in Zion's higher volume of attempts combined with his elite defense but could use better spacing when Daniels is off from range like his game in Utah. ZIon not playing with Daniels, CJ is putting up twice as many shots on slightly better efficiency than Daniels, while Zion's offensive effectiveness, is decreased by half the attempts & without Daniels defense but at least you have the concept benefit of spacing with CJ, lol.

Last 4 games Zion 73 FGA's 109pts with Daniels 26 FGA's 25pts, = Zion's volume efficiency, + elite defense.
Last 4 games Zion 37 FGA's 68pts with CJ 62 FGA's 67pts, = CJ's decreased efficiency, - the elite defense

Starters with Daniels 84 mins +22
Starters with CJ 96min -6.9

With the starters having a better 3pt percentage with Daniels, even if it's a slight edge. So you're not getting the spacing needed with CJ either.

Why oh why has Zion looked lazy, uninterested, ineffective & lost on defense the last few games playing with CJ;s spacing back with the starters over Daniels defense LMAO, wise up, you are decreasing your best assets value, teams effectiveness & overall ceiling by starting CJ over Daniels.

[Whole Truth]

Some may not want to read my wall of text, so I'll summarize.

Zion last 4 games with Dyson, 75 FGA's, the combo averaged a combined 99 FGA's for 134pts
Zion last 4 games with CJ, 37 FGA's, the combo averaged a combined 99 FGA's for 135pts

Where's the offensive advantage over Daniels of having CJ's "spacing" on court ?

There's none & as I've pointed out, the starters with Daniels are actually averaging a better 3ot percentage than with CJ in a 90min sample size for both, though it's a slight edge. With Zion's increased volume with Daniels, there's offensive compensation for Daniels & his elite defense.

His man defense in combination with Herb not only helps ZIon on that side of the ball but all of Jonas & BI as well. Reason with the same offensive output, they're +22 with Daniels & -6.9 with CJ, it's all on the defensive side of things. The starters are better balanced with Daniels defense than with CJ's spacing, though there's still a need for spacing. If Daniels is having a game like in Utah, that's where having either CJ or Murphy off the bench, would've made a difference in that 2 pt loss. Yet everyone overlooks the simple fact, Daniels was starting against a stronger schedule with 3 tough B2B's with Zion out in 2 of them & the team short handed 3 of it's shooters, apposed to CJ who had Daniels, Murphy & Jose all available as depth options. Take away the Zion impressive 33pt game in Philly without Embiid & the offensive numbers tilt in Daniels favor. **** Zion could have done the same vs Spurs without Wemby but CJ had to put up 18 shots on poor efficiency with BI also trying to shoot himself into a rhythm that game. A game that was much closer than it should have been.

CJ continuing to start lets me know it's more about CJ than what's best for the team.

[Whole Truth]

Wolves have a better defense than LA & NO's just put a 60 spot up first half because of better rotational balance. Though I still don't agree with CJ starting, there's some improvement here in the rotations so far.

Most of CJ's shots, misses have came with Zion off court. Acceptable.

Once Jonas had to come out, rebounding became an obvious issue & the lack of depth really shows.

Zion 15pts on 9 FGA's for the half, not the game. +10 in a 7pt game. Is he still too out of shape to be productive ? lol. Makes a difference not exposing his defense in inefficient play. 5 of CJ's 9 FGA's coming with Zion off court. Better

All in all good first half. Keep it up.

[Whole Truth]

Props for running Dysons defense over CJ down to the 2 min mark to close.

Zion = volume efficiency 35pts on 13-17 shooting

Jonas = 14 on 5-9 shooting, 13rebs, 4ast, 2stls, 2blks

Jonas & Zion = 50pts on 18-26 shooting, 18rebs, 6assits, 3steals, 3blks

NO's got to the FT line because they were favored to win with Ant out.

If a defensive team can't put the ball in the basket they can't defend all game. NO's put up 126 on the #1 defense.

[Whole Truth]

People are going to make this win about Wolves not having Ant. Do the Wolves shoot better than 35% from 3 with Ant playing on average ? I doubt it, Their calling card is their defense & they had players step up to the occasion offensively in his absence.

Pels won this game & would have if Ant was playing long & short because Pels offensive front line dominated their defensive front line, abusing their !#1 defense to the tune of 50pts on 26 FGA's for 126pts. That's near 100%% 2pt efficiency on considerable volume. Zion's strength as a player. He poked a hole in their #1 defense & there was nothing Ant was going to do about that..

Ant is a good player but him being out is not quite the same as NO's missing Zion, all their 3pt threats & depth in a B2B 1 pt loss with Ant playing at home. Pels could easily be 2-1 vs Wolves, instead of 1-2. This was not a lucky win because Ant was out.

Not to mention Murphy going 1-5 in this game, where NO's bench got outplayed considerably. People can point to the favor on the line, Pels left 9 free points on it or they would have won by putting up 135 on the leagues best defense.

[Whole Truth]

Something I didn't mention last night but equally important, not everything ZIon did was at the rim. He put on a show in response to a no show.

Helps that he had 17 FGA's & got to the line 12 times because --- his best asset, is volume efficiency !. He had 15 on 9 FGA's at the half, not the end of the game against the leagues best defense. It makes a difference between, a show & no show. Unless he got in shape over the last 4 days, lol. Conditioning is a concern but it was not the reason for his performance vs LA. It was the decision to ride CJ with him defensively against Lebron while CJ dominated the shot attempts in lesser efficiency 4-14.

I also didn't miss the effort to pair Zion with Daniels defense despite your choice to start the game with CJ. The rotational balance was much better overall, as was the recognition to run Daniels defense with Zion late game over CJ. With CJ coming in at the 2 min mark to hit the dagger 3 to put them away up 15 under 2. Much better..

[Whole Truth]

A poster mentioned NO's have 10 wins vs teams over 500 which tops the league, we know this team has the talent but there's more telling things about their record . Like being 3-5 vs teams currently under 500. This team struggles with IQ, experience & attention to detail. The 10 wins against teams over 500 shows they have the ability to beat anyone. The losing record shows the lack of depth in injury, the lack of preparedness & focus. As does the FT line & propensity for weak TO's, an overall attention to detail & valuing of possession. Like Zion's issues, it takes more than talent to be good & to be where you want to be. If this team took care of the teams they should beat they'd currently be 17-6 having faced a strong schedule. They're now about to face 4 teams under 500. This stretch will be very telling.

[Whole Truth]

Breaking the record down further based on the backcourt duo's

Herb & CJ - (8-3) Memphis W, NY W, GS L, OKC W, Pistons W, Atlanta L, Philly W, Spurs W, Kings W, Lakers L, Wolves W

Philly without Embiid, Wolves without Ant & Daniels playing a key role in the win. Most if not all of these wins the bench was more productive than the starters who were -1.7, 112 mins, 11 games.

Herb & Hawkins - (0-1) Denver L

Daniels & Hawkins - (0-3) Wolves L, Rockets L, Mavs L, should have won the Houston game outside of officiating.

Herb & Daniels - (5-4) Mavs W, Denver W, Wolves L, Kings 2x W, Clippers W, Utah 2x L, Bulls L

I want to put some context to Daniels record. The Wolves loss, was a misstep 4th Q where there was a 3 minute offensive drought directly because of a substitution, in a 1pt loss & with last possession. Utah were zoning with a lengthy shot blocker with all NO's shooters sidelined & Zion out for game 1 being 3 games in 4 nights heading to Utah's altitude. The bounce back 1 possession loss still due to all the shooters being absent. Bulls game also had some questionable decisions mainly because in these back end matches the team was short 3 shooters & Nance, 4 rotational players, in fatigue matches, where Zeller was minus 17 vs Bulls, 2 possession loss.

During Daniels time as a starter this team could have easily gone 9-0 with 6 wins against teams over 500 & in the losses never blown out because there's consistency in defensive effort but inconsistency in shooting. Hence the blow outs when CJ is off offensively & there's no defensive compensation. Daniels was also a key defensive component in the recent win over the Wolves. Which would mean his defensive involvement is a reason Pels would/could have 6/7 of their 10 wins over quality teams vs 3/4, with CJ. The bad losses can be explained away as shown above due to a lack of depth options/choices. What makes it more impressive is that Daniels was starting short handed a bench & in 2 losses a Zion. Which is the opposite for CJ starting who with more available depth, it was the bench minutes being won. Hence - Daniels w the starters +22.5, 88mins, 10 games. The additional 4 mins from starting, was the 4th Q closing lineup that sealed the Wolves win. VS CJ's -1.7, 110mins, 11games

Outside of catering to a vet. No easier decision than (Daniels, Herb, BI, Zion, JV) over (CJ, Herb, BI, Zion, VJ) (-1.7)

And it's for this reason that if NO's had to move a max contract. It's easily CJ. Not even factoring age & development into the equation. CJ to Washington for Jones & backup big = cheap starting quality depth & expiring value. Ideally, I'd target Magic for Jonathon Isaac as they are rumored to need want spacing, which NO's can sell them on CJ. (Isacc & an expiring contract, pick?)

Jonas - Isaac - Nance - Zeller
Zion - Murphy - Nance
Bi - Naji - Ryan
Herb - Hawkins
Daniels - Jones - Jose

-Jones & Jonas contracts sheds
-draft upside big man for depth (Consolidate picks for Alex Sarr) = gives a cheap depth option on Isacc, extending Jonas & or both.
-moving CJ opens development minutes for Hawkins & Daniels. Some will say that's not a win now move, I disagree, this team is not winning anything significant without Daniels defense becoming playable. The sooner the better & in choosing this direction there's an avenue to shed salary without giving up on the 2 young core players.

[Whole Truth]

Over their next 8 Pels face 1 team currently over 500 & have a chance to rise in the standings. I personally can't wait for the Utah game with the shooters back to see where this team/Green, is really at.

It all comes down to taking care of business & not underestimating an opponent.

Attention to detail & valuing possession.

Don't ever walk off the court not feeling like you didn't put your best foot forward, win or lose.

[Whole Truth]

Pels won by 22 but this was disappointing. Starting out down 15 & giving up 122pts to this Wizards team,

The good - Murphy 27pts on 7-10 shooting +43, if the starters need spacing ...

[Whole Truth]

I think this is the worse game I've seen from Herb .. He's so consistent, it was kind of shocking.

[Whole Truth]

Starting Herb & Daniels with CJ, tells me you don't understand why they work with BI, Zion & Jonas.

When you start Daniels, you're choosing to play 4 on 5 on offense for his defensive compensation. Where him starting with Zion, his low usage/FGA's allows for Zion's volume efficiency to compensate for that defensive trade off. The reason for choosing this defensive tradeoff, is that both efficient offensive big men, are not good defenders. What they are, is capable of 60% efficiency on volume, which allows for Daniels elite defense, to compensate their defensive flaws, creating an effective balance of their combined skillsets. With CJ on court, teams can still exploit the perimeter by attacking him & in turn Jonas in the post, where he struggles to defend in space. So you also lose the defensive compensation in the 4 on 5 offensive trade off. The effectiveness of the Herb & Daniels pairing is the ball denial & ball pressure, which helps Jonas defend in less space but there's a crack when teams can exploit CJ ..... So with this combo & CJ. You're choice to play 4 on 5 with Daniels without Zion's efficiency or efficiency in general. You get teams turning missed layups & bricked shots into easy points off a defense that is not set to defend, hence the lowly Washington team shooting 80% to start the game with 2 of your best defenders on court. As I've mentioned before, a defensive unit cannot be effective defensively, if they cannot put the ball in the hoop. You got neither offensive efficiency without Zion, nor the required ball pressure for the offensive trade off with CJ's defense on the perimeter being exploited & the people that don't know their head from their ass, will blame Daniels for it.

Speaking of offensive efficiency. Jonas had a miss match all night, yet had 2 touches for the half despite all the bricked shots to start the game. It's low IQ. If not for the missed tip ins, Jonas would have finished with 16pts on 7 shots. Yet you had Dyson playing in a brick fest where teams were still able to exploit CJ's perimeter defense.