It’s complicated with politics I think, not that ogel’s oblivious, with THT being paid 10M per year and front office needing him to progress now, if only to be more valuable as a trade piece, and whatever preferences GMs LeBron and AD might have amongst their vet favorites. Though hopefully less of that since everyone knows they need to win now. On a plus side he did get as I suggested if not starting, Caruso type minutes (28) this game against OKC. More than than anyone else on the entire team actually except LeBron and Russ. And did well with them showing those flashes again and just a few mistakes. Maybe he’s back in the rotation now.
Well if Davis is getting tired from long stints at center, whose idea was this AD at the 5 more stuff?
I don't understand the point of this experiment. We have two true centers, why did we sign them, in order to play our power forward at center for most of the season? Spacing...the mythical all everything buzzword in the NBA today. Why do we need all this " spacing ". Davis is not a back to the basket post up player, he's not very good at putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim either. What space does he need? Lebron is soon to be 37 years old, why do we need to open up the floor, for him to drive to the basket all the time? At some point, relying on Lebron's forays into the paint all the time, is going to become a less effective strategy. Westbrook has played with traditional bigs for most of his career, he doesn't need some special kind of "spacing " to be effective either. It seems to me, that somebody in the FO spent too much time, listening to all the "experts " about how dominant AD would be as a 5. It's not true, he can dominate for stretches against certain teams, but a Joel Embiid, he is not.
Vogel has us up to 11th defensively. Won 5 of last 7. Our past 4 wins have all been by double figures. I think he's bought himself more time. His tinkering has started to mold this team closer to a version that he can have success with and tolerate... especially with his glue piece in Ariza nearly ready to return.
after we got down in the 4th, he ran a lineup i've wanted to see for the rest of the game--ad/lebron/russ/reaves/ellington. you can't play it against everyone, but i like it against smaller teams like dallas.
This might be our most dynamic lineup until we see what Ariza can contribute. Otherwise sub Ellington for Monk/Melo depending on match up and who's on fire.
Damn impressive considering the roster that Bron and Rob gave him. Then factor in the injuries, suspension, covid...Vogel isn't the problem. I really like that lineup. That's my starters against smaller teams and sub one of them out for Ariza against bigger teams or where you need a wing stopper. Closing lineups are going to be interesting if we're ever healthy. Unless Monk is on fire I prefer the IQ of Ellington or AR. And I suppose the Melo vs. Ariza closing big wing will depend on if we need a bucket or a stop. Honestly just glad to see Vogel recognize there's better closing options than Bradley on the team.
Vogel is the anti-Urban Meyer lol. He'll stick with guys who suck because of their effort and try to point out when someone does something good that hasn't been noticed
Players' coach. I just really like the term. And it does wonders for team chemistry and everyone buying in for the goal of winning. Suppresses egos when everyone held accountable and recognized for their effort and things casual fans don't pick up on, as you said above.
