If Bev is Out for Playoffs

[ChokeFasncists]

I think maybe we should consider changing the lineup a bit.

With Bev out, the defense of the starting unit took a hit. IMo DMo plays better D than TJ right now, especially against big 4s.

With Lin out of the 2nd unit, we could use more ball handling and I think TJ could flourish in the Odom role. It won't be too much responsibility as Harden averages almost 40 minutes, so if Lin's and his minutes are staggered, one of them should be on the floor during the whole game.

In the 2nd unit, Harden could play some PG (dang, no Brooks, but it's nice to see him get consistent pt in Denver) alongside Cicso/Jordan.

Thoughts?

[cw3k]

Lin should stay in the 2nd unit. For the obvious reason, the second unit sucks.

[pr0wler]

I agree I think D-Mo is a pretty solid defender now. I don't know how he went from being totally clueless and outright bad to being our best PF on D...but he's done it.

I wouldn't mind him starting either as I think he works well with Dwight, and since we have Lin in the starting lineup we should have more offensive capabilities anyway. I was gonna post the exact same thing about Harden playing some backup PG as well, not sure if I trust Canaan for 14-16 MPG come playoff time. Hopefully we get to see Casspi some more too.

Here's how I'd like to see the lineup go down...

PG - Lin (32) Canaan (10) Harden (6)
SG - Harden (32) Hamilton (16)
SF - Parsons (38) Casspi (10)
PF - D-Mo (18) T.Jones (30)
C - Dwight (34) Asik (14)

[KungFuJoe]

Lin should stay in the 2nd unit. For the obvious reason, the second unit sucks.

This "second unit" doesn't exist. As many minutes as the starters play, especially Parsons and Harden, it's rare that you see even 3 subs out at the same time for an extended period of time. Casspi and Garcia are buried so far down the bench, they had to pay for their own tickets last game.

Now, on the rare occasion when you do see 3 or more subs in at the same time...they DO look like ****. That's because it's not often that they play together...you can tell the lack of chemistry...they play like strangers, really.

Come playoff time, benches get used even less and starters play more, so the 2nd unit becomes even more irrelevant.

[MaxRider]

should've kept brooks

[ChokeFasncists]

I agree I think D-Mo is a pretty solid defender now. I don't know how he went from being totally clueless and outright bad to being our best PF on D...but he's done it.

I wouldn't mind him starting either as I think he works well with Dwight, and since we have Lin in the starting lineup we should have more offensive capabilities anyway. I was gonna post the exact same thing about Harden playing some backup PG as well, not sure if I trust Canaan for 14-16 MPG come playoff time. Hopefully we get to see Casspi some more too.

Here's how I'd like to see the lineup go down...

PG - Lin (32) Canaan (10) Harden (6)
SG - Harden (32) Hamilton (16)
SF - Parsons (38) Casspi (10)
PF - D-Mo (18) T.Jones (30)
C - Dwight (34) Asik (14)

Cool, cool, but no Cisco? He's the veteran and he was big last year in the playoffs.

[JetLife]

As I stated at the trade deadline we did AB dirty rather he bypassed the no trade clause or not

[Screwston]

As I stated at the trade deadline we did AB dirty rather he bypassed the no trade clause or not

We didn't do him dirty, he didn't mind being traded to get more playing time, since Lawson was hurt.
Man's gotta eat.

[pr0wler]

I agree I think D-Mo is a pretty solid defender now. I don't know how he went from being totally clueless and outright bad to being our best PF on D...but he's done it.

I wouldn't mind him starting either as I think he works well with Dwight, and since we have Lin in the starting lineup we should have more offensive capabilities anyway. I was gonna post the exact same thing about Harden playing some backup PG as well, not sure if I trust Canaan for 14-16 MPG come playoff time. Hopefully we get to see Casspi some more too.

Here's how I'd like to see the lineup go down...

PG - Lin (32) Canaan (10) Harden (6)
SG - Harden (32) Hamilton (16)
SF - Parsons (38) Casspi (10)
PF - D-Mo (18) T.Jones (30)
C - Dwight (34) Asik (14)

Cool, cool, but no Cisco? He's the veteran and he was big last year in the playoffs.

He did a reasonable job on Durant defensively, but he was overrated on offense and has been stinking it up for most of this season.

[TMACFORMVP]

He did a reasonable job on Durant defensively, but he was overrated on offense and has been stinking it up for most of this season.

Your lineup with Harden being the primary backup PG is something I was thinking of too (and even posted without seeing yours first). It's definitely interesting, especially if we did play TJones some at the 3. I also agree with you about DMo and his marked improvement defensively.

As for Garcia, he's been pretty darn bad this season, but I still don't know who's better between him, Hamilton and Casspi though. Hamilton and Casspi both have some tunnel vision which can be infuriating. Neither are particularly better three point shooters than Garcia either.

[ChokeFasncists]

I agree I think D-Mo is a pretty solid defender now. I don't know how he went from being totally clueless and outright bad to being our best PF on D...but he's done it.

I wouldn't mind him starting either as I think he works well with Dwight, and since we have Lin in the starting lineup we should have more offensive capabilities anyway. I was gonna post the exact same thing about Harden playing some backup PG as well, not sure if I trust Canaan for 14-16 MPG come playoff time. Hopefully we get to see Casspi some more too.

Here's how I'd like to see the lineup go down...

PG - Lin (32) Canaan (10) Harden (6)
SG - Harden (32) Hamilton (16)
SF - Parsons (38) Casspi (10)
PF - D-Mo (18) T.Jones (30)
C - Dwight (34) Asik (14)

Cool, cool, but no Cisco? He's the veteran and he was big last year in the playoffs.

He did a reasonable job on Durant defensively, but he was overrated on offense and has been stinking it up for most of this season.

Well, he's mainly a 3 and D guy. Could he not be Horry like?

[bws94]

Lin should stay in the 2nd unit. For the obvious reason, the second unit sucks.

Terrible idea. That's a great way to lose Lin. Even if Lin played good soldier he'd be so dispirited by McHale starting a D-leaguer with so little experience over him it would show in his play. Lin should start, stagger his minutes, rest him when needed in short spurts, use him and Harden strategically after the first 5 minutes of the 1st and 3rd quarter.

On the contrary, McHale should be saying Bev is a huge loss but we have a very capable player in Lin that he knows can step up to the task and provide a different type of production that will help the team. He can also talk about Hamilton's defense and the team rallying to step up in Bev's absence. McHale has poor player motivation psychology when it comes to Lin and some other players, and that's a weakness in his coaching.

[inquisitive]

Jonathan Feigen ‏@Jonathan_Feigen 15m
Beverley said he "for sure" will return to play this season. "I don't feel a lot of pain, no swelling, which is a good thing."

Jonathan Feigen ‏@Jonathan_Feigen 3m
Pat Beverley: "I feel great. I feel if I put on the brace I’ll be all right to play today. If I feel healthy, I’m going to play

[ChokeFasncists]

So DMo starting tonight?