Nelson feels need to switch lineups
By Geoff Lepper
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 01/12/2008 02:56:58 AM PST
OAKLAND -- Warriors coach Don Nelson says he truly doesn't want to switch opening lineups so often. But Nelson feels his team needs the benefit of whatever mismatches he can identify, and if that means building a revolving door or two in his starting five, then so be it.
"In a perfect world, I wouldn't be changing (the starting lineup) as much as I have," Nelson said Friday. "I think the team has needed me more to gain an advantage sometimes by doing that, as opposed to just throwing our best players against their best players. ...
"I'd (like to) have a starting lineup and have my subs ready to come in at their normal times, San Antonio-style, if you will. But they can do that and I don't think that we can at this point."
Most observers would agree that the Warriors' best five players are guards Baron Davis and Monta Ellis, forwards Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson and center Andris Biedrins. And that group has started together 12 times in 37 games this season, including Friday against Memphis.
Yet aside from one four-game stretch last month when Nelson stuck with that most-used quintet, he hasn't used the same lineup for more than two games in a row all season. Given the Warriors' predilection for falling behind by 10 or more points in the opening quarter, might the shuffling be a cause for the early listlessness?
"The slow starts, it's not just because of the starting lineup, it's just us coming out not being loose and not being quick from the beginning of the game," Jackson said. "I know me and BD are not moving as best as we can and normally do. It's a number of things, but I think the fluctuation of the starting lineups is the least of our problems."
Harrington would like to see more consistency but understands that the players will have to earn that from Nelson, who has made quick switches a trademark of his coaching style.
"I think that over time (a set lineup) does help a team. You know what you're going to get, you know your guys, you know who's starting," Harrington said. "I guess guys are going to have to play at a high level for Coach to make that decision. The thing about it is that (lineup churning) has worked for him in the past, so you can't really say that it's not a good thing for a Nellie-coached team. He does this all the time, so he finds a way to make it work."
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