We have no chemistry yet, that's obvious. You can't develop that overnight. But, aside from that, we don't seem to have a real offensive plan either. Any possession that results in, say, Bazemore iso, is due to not being on the same page offensively. There were some good handoff sets explored but often they don't seem to go anywhere... yet. So, I don't know... our soft schedule might save us because the start of the season might be a bit rough. Defense is getting there, slowly but surely.
we look like crap honestly....haven't seen a single good game yet. I'm not worried - just pointing out that we have a lot of work to do before start of the season which is actually oonly a week away now...
So far it's painful to watch. I don't think i could find 5 mins. of decent basketball combined from these last 4 games.
I think we coast through regular season, most likely missing the top 4. Lebron has been saving himself in the reg season and I think that culture is becoming a franchise culture. We can see it in the speech of the team during this preseason, still not having the big 3 playing together during 4 games of the preseason with no injury to explain it. I think we will take our time to gel during the regular season. I don't like it. One of the keys to our last chip was the mentality of the squad. They even had an agreement that they couldn't lose twice in a row during all year. I loved it. I don't like this.
yeah, i know it's just preseason but i wish bron-AD-westbrook would play more to build that chemistry. still need to address the hole at the wing, especially now with injuries already starting to pile up. is reaves really someone to be depended on there? and shooting still seems to be an issue i'd be shocked if they don't stumble out of the gate and hover around .500 for the first month or two
My assessment so far: Good: Dwight Monk Ok: Bazemore Nunn Reaves Carmelo Rondo Meh: AD THT Lebron Westbrook Ellington DeAndre
I remember a period on CL where we were in Kyrie's neighborhood and convinced there was someone out there with a voodoo injury doll.
THT being out for sure hurts but it also kinda makes Vogel's job...easier? He'll be forced to play a few guys now as a result...Monk/Nunn going to get more time and continuity with our guys...
^ Very true. Nunn and Monk need to show what they can do, they need minutes to get in rhythm, and they both seem to be impactful players. I don't think we'll be in trouble because THT is out for a month, but it is disappointing that our season is starting like this. First Ariza and now him.
THT was meh the first game but I thought he really improved over the next 2 and looked like the guy the Lakers was hoping for (especially the jumper looked confident). Oh well he's out for awhile
The Suns offense is beautiful. Like Pops in ways. Not much ISO unless there is an obvious switch mis-match. Our offense has looked the same for a while, years, esp the AD hold the ball low take 1 jab step then one dribble pull up from 15 feet while everyone stands around watching. We need to make guys (guards) like CP3, Kyrie, Steph, Klay, Dame, Luka, Mitchell, Murray etc actually defend (guard) more. Run them like Rip Hamilton did, or switch to them and pound them with Bron, Ad, Melo, etc. Take their legs during games. We are not easy to defend - talent and height alone. But make it easier too often. IMO I hope there is much less iso with Bron and Westbrook on the floor - esp with Ellington and Monk. Melo will chuck, but that’s his job. Hope to see much more pick and roll this year - Wes, Monk, Nunn, and Bron, with our bigs. Cutters off it. Still can’t defend the 3 with proper rotations, but the Suns are a kryptonite to us in that regard, it seems. They are constantly beating us by double digits (starters to starters).
