Do we know what the starting lineup is without Kieff

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

In before AFM posts about Smith's upcoming triple double.

10 turnovers, 10 missed shots and 10 fouls?

10 awesome dance moves, 10 splashes of Rogain, 10 waves of the towel from the bench

[zero2hero]

I'm really of the opinion that are very few centers that, as the last line of defense can provide much resistance against strong penetrating players.

I really think in todays NBA 90% of the defense is dependent on your 1-4 moving on a string, making good decisions on screens and bringing help fast enough/in the right moments.

Now the big concern is switching assignments with a center, but the solution is to just not switch. When Gortat switched onto good guards it was game over. There are very few guys that can switch onto a guard and be successful. It's an old argument since I made a thread about it and most agreed that we should start Gortat but I really think Smiths spacing would benefit the team more than Gortats defense.

Although I do believe we should trot out Smith at C at times to give certain looks, I don't agree with replacing Gortat with Smith in our most effective lineups (Ex: Our "death" lineup last year with Wall/Beal/Porter/Oubre/Gortat). The Wall/Gortat PNR action was very effective because Gortat was a threat finishing in the paint - forcing the defense to collapse and bring help. And it should be even more effective this year with Wall improving his pull up game.

Giving up a Wall and Gortat pick and roll is basically a breakdown in the defense though these days. Because why wouldn't you go under the screen against Wall and why wouldn't you just back up to cut off the roll as the big man against Gortat who has limited range on the pick and pop?

Because if the PNR starts from the 3-pt, going under the screen allows Wall to get a full head of steam going towards the basket. And Wall's jumper is much improved - I'm comfortable with him taking a pull up mid-range J. And on PNR defense, your big man can't sag off the cutter (with someone who rolls HARD to the rim like Gortat) while simultaneously the guy getting screened goes under it without them potentially running into each other. Any slight miscommunication and Wall will simply split the screen. You always will need to bring a third guy to either rotate to the cutter or trap the ball-handler. It's a reason why that lineup was the mini-Death Lineup during that stretch of the season - when the ball is moving after the first action is defended and our guys can hit their shots, it's nearly indefensible.

The only teams that I can think of that are successful running 5-out without any action towards the rim are the Warriors, Rockets, and Celtics. The Warriors and Celtics aren't teams that runs a lot pick and rolls - their systems is a lot different than ours. And the Rockets have Harden at the helm of their attack who is one of the most lethal scorers in NBA history.

[Dark Faze]

Good writeup

[Sluggerface]

I don't get all the hand wringing about Smith. He was just as good as Scott during the preseason, and even if your dreaded scenario of Smith starting comes to fruition, all he has to do is show that he's consistent at shooting threes for two seasons in a row for him to be infinitely more tradeable than he was going into the season, or he just declines his PO.

[NatP4]

I don't get all the hand wringing about Smith. He was just as good as Scott during the preseason, and even if your dreaded scenario of Smith starting comes to fruition, all he has to do is show that he's consistent at shooting threes for two seasons in a row for him to be infinitely more tradeable than he was going into the season, or he just declines his PO.

Because that lineup was outscored by 15 points per 100 possessions last year and this is 2017? People don’t like to watch their team lose? Maybe it’s because it most likely squeezes Oubre and Satoransky’s minutes?

It’s just stupid all the way around

[Dark Faze]

I don't like Smith at PF but we'll see what happens I guess

[BearlyBallin]

Wonder if Brooks will try this lineup. I think he played it in one of the first few preseason games for a flash...

Wall, Meeks, Beal, Porter, Gortat

[Sluggerface]

Wonder if Brooks will try this lineup. I think he played it in one of the first few preseason games for a flash...

Wall, Meeks, Beal, Porter, Gortat

He ran this and another 3 guard lineup with frazier in the 3rd quarter last night. Philly didn't respond well to it. Meeks shooting ability lets him slot in naturally between the 2 and 3, at least offensively.

[BearlyBallin]

Wonder if Brooks will try this lineup. I think he played it in one of the first few preseason games for a flash...

Wall, Meeks, Beal, Porter, Gortat

He ran this and another 3 guard lineup with frazier in the 3rd quarter last night. Philly didn't respond well to it. Meeks shooting ability lets him slot in naturally between the 2 and 3, at least offensively.

Yes I saw that too. But I wasn't sure why Frazier didn't bring the ball up when he was in with Wall & Beal? And the offense with that lineup was basically Wall drives to the basket... repeat.

[dangermouse]

I saw he ran a Wall/Frazier lineup at one stage

That wasnt good. I wish he'd stop doing that. Wall/Jennings was terrible, we had enough of that I thought.

[closg00]

I saw he ran a Wall/Frazier lineup at one stage

That wasn't good. I wish he'd stop doing that. Wall/Jennings was terrible, we had enough of that I thought.

WHY TF does he do this?

[DCZards]

I saw he ran a Wall/Frazier lineup at one stage

That wasn't good. I wish he'd stop doing that. Wall/Jennings was terrible, we had enough of that I thought.

WHY TF does he do this?

What's the big deal? Wall and Frazier played together maybe 3-4 minutes...in the first game. Shouldn't we be giving Brooks a chance to figure out what combos will or will not work before we render a verdict?

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I saw he ran a Wall/Frazier lineup at one stage

That wasn't good. I wish he'd stop doing that. Wall/Jennings was terrible, we had enough of that I thought.

WHY TF does he do this?

What's the big deal? Wall and Frazier played together maybe 3-4 minutes...in the first game. Shouldn't we be giving Brooks a chance to figure out what combos will or will not work before we render a verdict?

Personally I’m concerned about this because he continued to trot out Wall - Jennings long after it was obvious it didn’t work.

[tontoz]

I am pretty comfortable rendering a verdict on the Frazier-wall combo without seeing it at all.