12-24-2023, 04:42 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-24-2023, 05:21 AM by DanSchwartzgan.)
(12-24-2023, 01:11 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: I actually would go even further and say that the question is not who is being replaced between Williams or DJJ but who is being replaced between Williams or Green. The last time this team healthy (minus Kleber) was that win against the Rockets in late November and at that point Kidd was starting Green over DJJ and at the time it felt like it was more because DJJ coming off the bench provided the second unit with a lot more needed size more so than Green earning the spot.
That happened once. DJJ has started every game but that one. GWill has started every game. Four of the five games Green started were because either Kyrie or Luka was out. I’m not sure we can say “Kidd was starting” Green over DJJ when it only happened once.
Killer is right. Figuring out which one of DJJ and GWill sits with Exum starting is a big deal (or will be if we can ever field a healthy roster). FWIW, Exum and GWill are +9.5 in 179 minutes. Exum and DJJ are +14.7 in 190 minutes. Also, Exum paired with any of Luka, Kyrie or Lively is double digit positive. The data says this needs to be tried. I don’t think a bench unit featuring Green, THJ, and one of GWill/DJJ with a ball handler is too small if you get a good big on the floor with them. The problem is we don’t have the big that makes that threesome OK.