we are constantly adjusting and learning on the fly with new lineups, players, and rookies.
While we have gained a lot of depth now, we still have to find our "identity" that we are constantly changing.
With limited practice and this schedule, its really hard to learn and adapt, especially to develop chemistry.
We will have to figure out our lineups, 2nd units, which players work best together, while preserving enough energy to rotate efficiently.
This was why Dantoni constantly was playing our starters + 2nd unit players in the Atlanta game, instead of putting TD + Bibby in to preserving energy vs Miami.
Dantoni knows TC and Amare doesn't work well for each other with our 2nd unit players, that is why Amare is always the first to go.
He also knows Fields doesn't have the ability to play SG, with his lack of speed, quickness, and ability to hit the shot, unless the match ups are weak.
But he doesn't have the balls or fears he will break their confidence if he throws Amare and Fields out of the starting lineup, especially for Amare.
Our starting lineup, just doesn't work well together, but he fails to do anything about it.
He is very stubborn, even JJ, shouldn't be playing many minutes on certain days and with some lineups, but he does it anyway.
It is the same reason why Lin, didn't get the chance to play earlier.
Even though EVERY guard got plenty of chances to fail and fail again. the same reason why Darko never got off the dog house
With Jorts coming back, there will be even more tweaks, to adjust, as he fits better as a Center vs a PF, while TC is our best defensive player on the team.
Jorts just doesn't have the ability to play PF, without the ability to penetrate, blow past his man, if the PF defends his shot.
He probably helps Amare's game the most, with his ability to spread the floor, but they are quite weak as a combo, defensively at the PF/C.
He has half the season left to find out his rotations and develop the chemistry for the team.
I would like to slowly give a chance back to TD to find back his confidence, as we now have the players that can handle the ball, penetrate, and take the facilitating away from him.
Having another player that can hit the 3pointer, if he can find back his groove he had last year, would really help.
He is just not a PG and plays horrible defense, but he has the physical abilities to be a good defender.
The coaching staff needs to work back his confidence and fix his errors.
Lin
Iman
Melo
Novak
TC
BD
JR Smith/ TD
Fields/ Walker
Amare/ JJ
Jorts/ Jordan
I think Walker is a horrible defender, but he does have good size, and is one of our streaky shooters that has been hitting the 3pointer at a good % for much of the year.
We became quite deep but we have are in the process of finding/developing the right rotations and chemistry.
From each player individually, to players learning how to play with each other, and playing with differently lineups, will take time.
I guess this is a good problem to have, as we now have a improved our depth, but have a hard time finding minutes for everyone on the roster.
I think Fields and Amare's PT has to go down, on many nights, with the players we currently have, we have that luxury.
Amare doesn't have a stretch 4, to play small ball, like we did last year, while spreading the floor, and playing good defense with speed and athleticism.
He does have a Center that can stretch the floor with Jorts though, with JR Smith being a player that can help penetrate, and capable of creating his own shot/even for others.
Smith has grown tremendously as a person, he isn't the same kid that he was in his past years, I owe an apology to him, as I thought he would never change, from his cancer ways.
His talent was never a question, but he has matured as a player and a person, something he might have learned during his time in China.
2/25/2012 8:55 AM