soxperry wrote:Bernman wrote:Hield's evolution to playoff riser & defensive stopper is incredibly out of left field. He used to be a bad defender & shrinking violet. Didn't debut in the playoffs until he was in his 30's, last season. Sucked. And sucked until game 7 this season. Has went off the last 2 & locked down.
We'll see if it sustains. But I guess it's never too late for just about any player to change their narrative then (Harden?!). Unlike Hali, it's easy to feel happy for him bcuz he actually is a likable guy.
Is the thing we usually associate with Spoelstra, getting the most out of role players in the playoffs, actually a Jimmy Butler energy thing?
Nah, GS has always had absolutely incredible role players help carry them throughout their entire dynasty going back a full decade. Botching all their high draft picks after all their great role players aged out was a big reason GS derailed from even further success beyond just the Klay injuries.
Role players playing exceptionally well is almost always due to coaches putting guys in limited roles that maximize their skillset. Obviously it's easier to have a more minimal role when there are more stars around doing more on the court, but it's a coaching thing to get those players to stay within the smaller role and not try to do more, especially when players are capable of doing more and want to do more.
