Siefer wrote:Midds coming back is a big deal for a bunch of reasons, but just being able to functionally play small is pretty high on my list. Dame, Midds, and Giannis are the foundation of a fantastic small-ball lineup, and you can shade the wings towards offense, or defense depending on the situation.
Right now when other teams go small and fast, we're trying to survive it with Brook or Bobby, and it's not great. Our last 4 games have featured long stretches where the other team is trying to punish the the frontcourt guy opposite Giannis. In theory we've got something like Dame, Beas, PatC, Crowder, Giannis, but that lineup can be prone to feeling like a 2 on 5 on either end.
Question for Midds guys... how do YOU want to use him when he comes back? My opinion is:
** I'm open to playing through him intermittently to take pressure off of the HOFS if he agrees to catch in the high post and not dribble up when Dame is in or in the 4th quarter.
**I'd like to feature him when Dame or Giannis are out as a scorer to take that burden off Portis some. When Dame is out he can dribble the ball up unless teams are trapping then get Bev in to get it to KM
**I'd like to see KM be the screen and pop guy instead of Brook and find something else for Brook to do.. either corner or dunker spot. So KM.. ask Bev to teach you to set a screen, turn the right way and release and that's like 3 or 4 wide open 3's for you per game
**I'd like to MIdds to take 80% of the 3s that Brook takes and 50% of the 3s anyone else not named Dame or Beas takes off of skip passes by Dame and GA. From the other thread you know I'd like to see Midds focus on 3s in practice and come down the stretch of the season shooting 8 - 12 threes per game.. when he's hot and closeouts come fast, pump fake, step in and take your mid-range without anyone in your face. This will keep defenders honest from cheating to double our 2 HOFers and when they do we need guys to make them pay with a quick release and stone cold nuts... I think KM can be that dude if he focuses on that portion of his talent
Interested in your feedback... again, I don't think I know more than Doc.. however Doc decides to use him I will trust that and hope it works until I see that it isn't