Game 56 | Los Angeles (36-19) vs Phoenix (14-42) | 2/21/16 | 7:30PM | NBATV

[nickhx2]

i hadn't heard that from him but if so that's encouraging. not as encouraging was him actually playing green at C in his first game but i can chalk that up to aberration if we don't ever see it again.

but the issue that arises then is who gets phased out? has to be pablo, right? because if so the team is in some big trouble going back to a non-PG 2nd unit.

[nickhx2]

also i think no matter what happens, wes goes to the end of the bench forever

[QRich3]

lol nick did you already decide you're gonna hate Green no matter what he does?

Haven't been able to watch the game yet, but I fully agree that Green needs to be starting so he doesn't freelance much, and he needs to play off ball and focusing on taking 3s and slashing to the rim. Which also moves Luc to the bench where he can help Cole and Wes to hide Pablo/Jamal/Pierce on defense. Hopefully Wes doesn't get buried like you say, but it looks like him or Luc are gonna be the ones to lose the most minutes. Gosh everything would be a lot easier if Jamal wasnt here and we could use Wes as the bench SG. And I forgot that Austin has to come back soon ugh

[mattd13]

I agree green should start and as the payoffs begin the starter minutes will go up. that will help to overcome some of the negative aspect of the second unit. as far as wes is concerned he has to improve his basketball iq in order to get time. luc will get the biggest hit because pp will play. Austin is also a huge concern. I have absolutely no confidence in his ability to help. my hope is that green can finally fix the 3 spot.

[nickhx2]

lol nick did you already decide you're gonna hate Green no matter what he does?

Haven't been able to watch the game yet, but I fully agree that Green needs to be starting so he doesn't freelance much, and he needs to play off ball and focusing on taking 3s and slashing to the rim. Which also moves Luc to the bench where he can help Cole and Wes to hide Pablo/Jamal/Pierce on defense. Hopefully Wes doesn't get buried like you say, but it looks like him or Luc are gonna be the ones to lose the most minutes. Gosh everything would be a lot easier if Jamal wasnt here and we could use Wes as the bench SG. And I forgot that Austin has to come back soon ugh

no i'm just gonna hate him until he actually shows he can be a solid contributor on a winning team. and given his history of being the furniture king i'm just making it easier on myself and setting early expectations lol

yeah jamal is really screwing things up. pierce too. what we should be putting out there (and crushing other 2nd units with) is cole/luc/wes/austin/pablo. instead we're gonna deal with the disaster that is jamal and pierce on the court together, while one of wes/luc will be relegated into oblivion.

[QRich3]

You know, in an ideal world I'd rather roll with Pablo/Wes/Luc/Pierce/Cole off the bench. Pierce presents a lot of offensive advantages and playing alongside Luc and Wes on the wings will kind of mask his lack of mobility a bit. He knows how to position himself and at least he'll be as tuff as his old age allows him. Which is basically the reverse of Austin, decent athletic ability but no brain to use it on defense. Or offense for that matter. Plus I like playing Wes at SG so we can have some length to cover for Pablo too. And spacing looks better than if you play a line up where only Wes can shoot (and not even that well).

But yeah, in the end it's gonna be Jamal and Austin as 6th and 7th man so...

[og15]

Yea, the Jamal, Austin and Pierce situation still hurts. I think one is fine it'd just all together, that is worrisome.

I like that suggested bench lineup.

I also like this one:

Paul / Jamal / Johnson / Luc / Aldrich

Realistically though we'll probably see:

Austin / Crawford / Mbah / Pierce / Aldrich

I can't imagine Doc goes with Pablo / Austin / Crawford / Pierce / Aldrich because that's an awful lineup. The two lengthy, defensively capable guys are on the bench.

Johnson and Mbah should truly be part of any bench lineup.