12/8: Game 23 - Warriors (13-9) vs Timberwolves (12-10) 5:30 PST

[DonaldSanders]

Sandwich him with 2 consistent scorers and defenders.

And don't be afraid to pull him when he is struggling.

I feel like pulling Buddy might be the wrong move when he's not hitting shots. This team needs his offense and the gravity he can bring, but more importantly if you assume what is coming next when he seems cold, you might miss his next scoring burst of 3/3 from 3. Given the offensive limitations of this roster as currently constructed, I'd tend to just live and die with him out there.

Earlier in the year I liked the idea of him getting a quick hook as a bench backup, but we only really look like a upper echelon team when he can hit. Sitting him solves nothing, you just have to hope he starts hitting. Obviously that's a roster problem, but I think we have to just play him.

[Onus]

All the more reason to prioritize Buddy’s success

No TJD, Buddy starting, Dray more at C… took 22 games but Kerr’s finally doing these things. Hope it sticks

i don't disagree but i also believe there's an upper limit to how much you can smooth out the Buddy variance curve

Sandwich him with 2 consistent scorers and defenders.

And don't be afraid to pull him when he is struggling.

There’s no need to pull him when he’s struggling. His defense isn’t killing us and his gravity as a shooter to open up lanes is better than any other option we have currently.

[Crazy-Canuck]

Sandwich him with 2 consistent scorers and defenders.

And don't be afraid to pull him when he is struggling.

I feel like pulling Buddy might be the wrong move when he's not hitting shots. This team needs his offense and the gravity he can bring, but more importantly if you assume what is coming next when he seems cold, you might miss his next scoring burst of 3/3 from 3. Given the offensive limitations of this roster as currently constructed, I'd tend to just live and die with him out there.

Earlier in the year I liked the idea of him getting a quick hook as a bench backup, but we only really look like a upper echelon team when he can hit. Sitting him solves nothing, you just have to hope he starts hitting. Obviously that's a roster problem, but I think we have to just play him.

Missing shots is fine, I can live with it. But, there are times when he is forcing shots and trying to dribble his way into his offense. That's when he needs to take a breath. Its why I would put to consistent scorers next to him, so he doesn't feel the need to force it. The other 2 can use buddy's gravity.

[GQ Hot Dog]

i don't disagree but i also believe there's an upper limit to how much you can smooth out the Buddy variance curve

Sandwich him with 2 consistent scorers and defenders.

And don't be afraid to pull him when he is struggling.

There’s no need to pull him when he’s struggling. His defense isn’t killing us and his gravity as a shooter to open up lanes is better than any other option we have currently.

The only thing I don't like about Buddy is that he's a painfully mediocre ball handler/passer for his size. His game is more like a dangerous shooting wing/SF but without the size and length and all the defense and rebounding that comes with it. The benefit of starting Melton was obvious because of all those guard skills he provided at a competent level.

[Onus]

Sandwich him with 2 consistent scorers and defenders.

And don't be afraid to pull him when he is struggling.

I feel like pulling Buddy might be the wrong move when he's not hitting shots. This team needs his offense and the gravity he can bring, but more importantly if you assume what is coming next when he seems cold, you might miss his next scoring burst of 3/3 from 3. Given the offensive limitations of this roster as currently constructed, I'd tend to just live and die with him out there.

Earlier in the year I liked the idea of him getting a quick hook as a bench backup, but we only really look like a upper echelon team when he can hit. Sitting him solves nothing, you just have to hope he starts hitting. Obviously that's a roster problem, but I think we have to just play him.

Missing shots is fine, I can live with it. But, there are times when he is forcing shots and trying to dribble his way into his offense. That's when he needs to take a breath. Its why I would put to consistent scorers next to him, so he doesn't feel the need to force it. The other 2 can use buddy's gravity.

He’s not forcing shots when Steph is on the floor.

[Onus]

Sandwich him with 2 consistent scorers and defenders.

And don't be afraid to pull him when he is struggling.

There’s no need to pull him when he’s struggling. His defense isn’t killing us and his gravity as a shooter to open up lanes is better than any other option we have currently.

The only thing I don't like about Buddy is that he's a painfully mediocre ball handler/passer for his size. His game is more like a dangerous shooting wing/SF but without the size and length and all the defense and rebounding that comes with it. The benefit of starting Melton was obvious because of all those guard skills he provided at a competent level.

Yea he’s not a handler/playmaker but Klay wasn’t either.

Yes melton is a better fit because he’s a better defender and like 80% the shooter of buddy but melton is out for the season so unless we’re bringing someone else in that can replace him buddy should be closing all the games.

My biggest problem with buddy have been his fouls. He didn’t foul against minny but he usually has some really bad fouls.

[Twinkie defense]

Game's mostly only going to be interesting to see how Kerr adapts to not having Wiggins in... most similar player is likely Moody. If he's serious about keeping JK in with the starters and consistency, I would think Moody starts

More likely: JK moves to SF and Dray starts and we go through that whole thing, again

I was listening to the Warriors plus minus podcast and they said Kerr went to analytics to ask them their advice on who should start in Wiggins' absence, and obviously with Kuminga starting at the four. Hence the Curry/Hield/GPII backcourt.

Moody was slated for a prominent role but he's dealing with some knee issues right now.

[CDM_Stats]

Game's mostly only going to be interesting to see how Kerr adapts to not having Wiggins in... most similar player is likely Moody. If he's serious about keeping JK in with the starters and consistency, I would think Moody starts

More likely: JK moves to SF and Dray starts and we go through that whole thing, again

I was listening to the Warriors plus minus podcast and they said Kerr went to analytics to ask them their advice on who should start in Wiggins' absence, and obviously with Kuminga starting at the four. Hence the Curry/Hield/GPII backcourt.

Moody was slated for a prominent role but he's dealing with some knee issues right now.

Not only is good that Kerr is doing that, its 1000x better that he said so. If he goes against what analytics say in the future, it makes a question about it a lot more viable

Great that Kerr is adapting too, I know of at least one current (for now) HC who doesn't, and makes it a Mark Jackson-like us vs. them mentality. Actually have heard that a lot, and that its mostly the analytics people's fault... couldnt disagree more. The old school people are the ones who ultimately make the final decisions as they are the HCs, so they have all the power. Usually makes for tense conversations.. if Kerr is working with analytics and crediting them, that's more than most HCs I've seen tend to do

All that said, he's done several things since the beginning of the season that analytics have been screaming: JK is a 4, TJD needs to sit, and Hield needs to start. Havent had enough success to call all 3 a win, but it sure is trending that way. Now the only truly big hurdle, that's realistic, is ending the Podz/PG thing by bringing in a PG. Then I think they'll be close to maximizing the roster without hamstringing the future

As for Moody.. sure, that's fine. I'm fine with him being in a meritocracy, give him minutes when he earns them and dont when he doesnt. No real issues with his usage this year, more issues with him not putting those broad ass shoulders into defenders and getting that FTA count up