They played badly with Kobe, that much is true. A veteran, such as Pau found a way to fit with him relatively fast. Bosh took less than a season to figure it out too (with Bron), but very young, inexperienced players can't quite transform their game easily. In many cases they are not even 100% sure what their game really is, even before transforming it. I doubt that Kuz and Ingram really know their own game that well; the only one who does is Hart: he plays a defensive guard who can push the ball after a steal, and additionally he can take set-shot 3. That's it, and not very complicated. He plays that role well, and he does not need to change his game much at all.
And karacha is it any surprise that Hart played all 4 years of college ball and was part of lengthy title runs at 'Nova. But s***, experience don't matter. We're about a quarter into the season and we've somehow stayed afloat even through all the adversity. When Bron went back to Cleveland, he linked up with a 22 year old Kyrie who had been in the league for 4 years at the time...it took Kyrie the rest of that year to adjust to Bron, but when it happened he became a champion. But it started with a 19-20 record (at the half way point of the season) for those keeping score at home. You gotta let these guys figure it out... I get that Bron's prime is on a clock, but you got to build this s*** the right way. Add a 2nd max guy to this roster and if it still don't work, trade the kiddies for a 3rd star when that time comes. Let's not blow our load early and eliminate options that we have the ability to exploit later.
There's simply no denying your geniusness, Vash. Seriously though, I totally agree with you. I'm honestly not sure if there's a tangible difference in required skills or role between a sg and a sf anymore. Maybe it doesn't matter, maybe it does. I don't know the nuts and bolts of our offense well enough to comment decisively. My post was a genuine wondering if we'd see better meshing from BI with lebron if they were out there with zo or Do at pg, Hart or KCP at sg, and javale or Tyson at center. It makes sense to me, yet we've seen very little.
Sending Kyle or BI to the bench would be a big decision for some obvious reasons (showcasing their talents), even if yeah we all agree would be awesome to let Hart start) so being of that magnitude my guess would be as others have already said than Magic and Rob's input is probably the final word. Luke may ask on that and have to go along for the time being. We don't really know.
Punk, for sure there is some politic'n goin on. I'm not sure if its to showcase BI and Kuz or not, but there is a reason Kuz hasn't been sent back to the bench yet or BI hasn't been explored as a super sub....maybe ego is involved...maybe they're showing something different in practice vs the games....maybe part of it is to hide Hart from potential trade packages...who really knows. But looking at the numbers, we're still a net positive with BI at 2, Bron at 3 and Kuz at 4. So till it becomes an overwhelming net negative, I don't see the urgency in a lineup change just yet. Plus if Luke keeps changing up the lineups, you lose whatever chemistry, continuity and role that you developed in the short-term.
Kyle hasn't always been consistent with his outside shot this year, but he's gotten better on defense from the start of the year. Whether he gets credit in statistical categories or not his effort and defending the right angles better on defense has certainly improved.
I agree Vash that there must be some politicking going on, like you said. I just hate watching that combo of BI and Kuz on the floor with the starters. It's ugly. Neither of them can shoot to save their lives and having Kuz and Lebron in at the same defensively is bad news. That lineup just does not mesh. That's why they should change it. There is no chemistry with that lineup, that's why they give up huge leads and look banal on offense much of the time. It isn't fun to watch. Again, here's a thought, play Hart because he number one he plays hard nosed D and I'd love to see that at the position for the majority of the game. Here's a second reason - he's the best three pointer shooter on our team and I'd love to see someone in the lineup with Lebron and Lonzo who can space the floor! Kuz and BI both suck from three this year. They are bad shooters. Third reason, Hart is a better rebounder than Kuz. If I'm totally honest, I have to say I'm losing interest watching the team right now with this crap lineup.
Same here. At some point, people in the background will have to choose between politics vs. the bigger picture. I sure hope they don't wait for the backstage politics to trigger the changes the team needs. I'm somewhat positive that either/both of BI or/and Kuz would be fine going to the bench and it could be they're just too proud or too embarassed for it to come from them, with BI being a #2 draft pick and Kuz a SOTD.
Multiple big shots in the third that put us ahead for good. Rebounding and defense have noticeably improved.
He had a miserable first half in terms of shooting, I think it took him until the third quarter to actually make a basket. However, I was glad to see him doing some other things out there in terms of hustle, defense, boards and passing when the shot was garbage. Nice to see him get back on track during the second half in terms of putting the ball in the hoop.
Kuz got hot in the 3rd there for a bit, We were down 6 or so and his scoring caught us up and I think put us back ahead. The rebounds were also much needed when McGee fouled out early and Tyson needed a breather and we had that small lineup with LeBron and Kuz at the 4 and 5, he was really going after them.
