GAME 15: DEN (9-6) @ DAL (9-6) | 127-99 win

[KillerLeft]

We did things in the playoffs last year that we saw very little of during the regular season.  The way we used players last season after the new year was very different than how we used them prior to 12/31.  I hate it when we give away easily winnable games, but I don’t really have an issue with doing whatever Kidd wants to do in Nov/Dec.  I suspect he will settle into something sometime in the new year that probably looks a little different than what is happening right now.

Yeah, I get that and agree completely. 

But you keep saying "Wood doesn't have to play solo big in order to start" (or get those 30-32 minutes, if that's more accurate), so I guess my question then becomes: Is Kidd trying to figure out the best lineups, or is he just trying to figure out the best 5th guy to play with Luka, Dinwiddie, Bullock and DFS? I mean, I don't think he has been hampered by that limitation when envisioning ending lineups, but it might be fair to wonder whether he's mentally "locked in" on that mindset for the starting lineup. 

Even that, I think, might be limited thinking on his part, as the only two starters I'd personally have had written in pen when this season started were Luka and DFS (and as much as I hate to say it, even DFS comes with question marks if he has to play the 3). 

Just interesting to think about, imo, and this might be the answer to some people's questions. I mean, if those 4 guys are locked in, AND Kidd sees Wood the way you have been pointing out, then he really DOES need to play solo 5 to start, meaning that he'll probably not ever start. 

Then again, Bullock's minutes have been declining, so maybe a week from now he (or Dinwiddie, or DFS) makes way for Kleber and Powell makes way for Wood a week from now and this entire conversation seems silly. As you say, big changes tend to happen between December and February.