So Baze is cooked for the time being, at least. AB is bad. THT is an awful fit next to our 3 stars because he's reduced to a spot up shooter. Your best 5 doesn't necessarily equal your best lineup. My suggestion for now is run with AD Melo Bron Ellington Russ That's not a long term fix because I don't want Melo starting, but since Ariza is doing on the court stuff I am hoping he's a couple weeks away. My idea is to start Melo until then and pray Ariza isn't cooked. We can still reduce Melo's minutes. Do something like .. Q1: first 7 Q2: final 5 Q3: first 7 Q4: 5-6 minutes anywhere My biggest expectation with that lineup is for our 3Q issues to be fixed. I think that's our best bet against the No Show 3rd Q. Melo and Ellington have shown to be adequate team defenders and understand the concepts and spots they're being asked to guard. Their man will cook them in 1-1, but that's where AD and Bron have to earn their paychecks and Vogel will probably try to junk it up with more zone. If you're trying to give AD and Russ space to navigate, that's your best bet for now. Also Melo gives us a rebounder and we're getting murdered on the glass. Off the bench, you can stagger THT with at least one of Bron or Russ, but never both.
I think if/when we get fully healthy, this is what I’d like to see: Russ, Lebron, AD and *drumroll* … Reaves locked into the starting lineup. Depending on matchup, the fifth spot goes to AB (need extra guard defense), Ariza (need extra wing defense), or Dwight (need extra interior defense). THT as the sixth man, generally should not play alongside the big 3 too much since he plays best with the ball in his hands. Try to stagger the rotation such that there aren’t too many stretches where the entire big 3 is on the bench. I.e, let Russ get some run as the primary playmaker with the second unit when Lebron needs rest. Nunn and Melo mainstays in the bench rotation. Monk and Ellington get the nod depending on whose feeling it and playing solid defense. Rondo gets situational minutes here and there when we need a spark and feel like his chemistry with AD on the lobs can get the offense moving. Bazemore and DJ out of the rotation until they prove otherwise (ie Bazemore starts making some shots in practice/garbage time, DJ shows more defensive effort)
It's tricky. Vogel loves AB and can't help himself because he's the only player consistently trying on D. He's often getting abused unless he's on the ball against someone in his height range who's not a speedster. With the inconsistent effort from this squad, I understand the temptation. But he shouldn't start, even with his great game 1 out of every 5 DJ is starting to appease AD and Vogel. AD doesn't want to play C more than he has to. We need the help on the boards because we're getting murdered there. Where's Faried or Reggie Evans? And Vogel is just a old school coach who likes size. Not really sure what the right move is, none of the alternatives have been amazing. I probably still go with the one I suggested somewhere last week...AD/Melo/Bron/Ellington/Russ I think those pieces fit best together out of this s***ty puzzle. Frank just has to watch Melo's minutes carefully (he hasn't been) and then hopefully give that spot to Ariza when he gets back.
^^^^ or have some real balls and start Reaves over Ellington and anyone else at the 2 (consensus here THT not a good fit with Russ and LeBron in starting lineup / wastes his talents plus can't shoot 3s yet), ..... and tell Westbrook and everyone else not named LeBron to look for him too.
Monk was on the plane with the rest of the team traveling to Dallas too, wouldn’t be surprised if we have a few more players out for tomorrow.
That's ok. The earlier we are out of the playoffs, and our misery, the more time AR15 is going to get. THT + AR for the last 40 games, here we go!!!
