02-09-2021, 07:25 AM
Thanks for the recap, mavsluvr. I have been absent for the last couple of game threads but only due to the forum being down, lol. Glad it's back up here, I really was in shock and did not know where to go. Kind of felt like a kid, lost in the supermarket.
I'll give some random obervations from the last couple of games, which I think are interesting and showing a tendency.
All in all, I think we are trending in the right direction and it has to have to do with our starting five finally in place. I hope it is save to say that the bigs combination of KP and Maxi works, as both Maxi and KP are only getting better (healthier, more thythm, ...). So we have 3, maybe 4 plus defenders in the starting lineup (Luka being the one out, KP on the verge, imho, unless he can consistently replicate his rim protection form last night).
That's why I am optimistic about going forward, our season has really just started as our rotation is now finally what we expected it to be. Timmy/Josh/Maxi sharing closing minutes in regards to what the team needs the most (O or D). Luka, KP, Josh, Tim, DFS, Maxi) are our six best players (also, I think, in this order). Also, theoretically when, hopefully, the percentages pan out, all of them aere above average to elite 3-point-shooters.
The rest of the rotation works as well, Brunson has been a very positve surprise and deserved his minutes. He has a great skillset, I think if he was like 2 inches bigger, he could be a full-time-starter in this league. I think only Luka has better all-around skills (dribbling, trick shots, ...) Powell looks like coach's choice as the third big and lob finisher, so I guess the WCS experiment is over. I think rightfully so. But this also means, that we need the old Powell back. Last night showed some good flashes, his hustle is still there abd we saw a glimpse of his former athleticism. If he can get it back fully, we are all set her, he'd be great as the 7th or 8th rotation player. If not, there's a big hole there. Burke is a nice sparkplug off the bench and plays within his role.
I noticed KP being more active overall and I feel like the other players are actively trying to get him more involved. He tries to mix it up here, get more inside and such. I would like to continue this trend, he needs to bang inside for a fair amount of time in order to maximize his effectiveness. I hate when he gets shot hungry - when he's in rhythm and mixing it up, he looks like a second star. If he doesn't he's just an unusually mobile big with good but not excellent range (aka good role-player).
Lukas rebounding-numbers have been down lately (I think, I did not check). Could be coincidence but I think I see leass eagerness from his part to go after every available board. I also think this is on purpose, in order for him to stay fresh. I also assume somebody told him that. I know he downtalks his numbers but I suppose getting triple doubles is nice and maybe he was a little bit too much concerned with it. Maybe I am just imagining, but I think his rebound numbers declining is by design and therefore a good thing. Like RC says, individual numbers don't mean anything if you lose. This could be one direct result.
Clearly, we still have issues closing games out. Possibly, this is a huge red flag. I am trying to stay positive and say we will improve in this area going forward, as long as we stay healthy there is enough talent and depth to be a good team. Yesterday I thought they just were too sure of themselves late in the third and stoped playing. I hope I am not mistaken. I could really be wrong here lol.
I'll give some random obervations from the last couple of games, which I think are interesting and showing a tendency.
All in all, I think we are trending in the right direction and it has to have to do with our starting five finally in place. I hope it is save to say that the bigs combination of KP and Maxi works, as both Maxi and KP are only getting better (healthier, more thythm, ...). So we have 3, maybe 4 plus defenders in the starting lineup (Luka being the one out, KP on the verge, imho, unless he can consistently replicate his rim protection form last night).
That's why I am optimistic about going forward, our season has really just started as our rotation is now finally what we expected it to be. Timmy/Josh/Maxi sharing closing minutes in regards to what the team needs the most (O or D). Luka, KP, Josh, Tim, DFS, Maxi) are our six best players (also, I think, in this order). Also, theoretically when, hopefully, the percentages pan out, all of them aere above average to elite 3-point-shooters.
The rest of the rotation works as well, Brunson has been a very positve surprise and deserved his minutes. He has a great skillset, I think if he was like 2 inches bigger, he could be a full-time-starter in this league. I think only Luka has better all-around skills (dribbling, trick shots, ...) Powell looks like coach's choice as the third big and lob finisher, so I guess the WCS experiment is over. I think rightfully so. But this also means, that we need the old Powell back. Last night showed some good flashes, his hustle is still there abd we saw a glimpse of his former athleticism. If he can get it back fully, we are all set her, he'd be great as the 7th or 8th rotation player. If not, there's a big hole there. Burke is a nice sparkplug off the bench and plays within his role.
I noticed KP being more active overall and I feel like the other players are actively trying to get him more involved. He tries to mix it up here, get more inside and such. I would like to continue this trend, he needs to bang inside for a fair amount of time in order to maximize his effectiveness. I hate when he gets shot hungry - when he's in rhythm and mixing it up, he looks like a second star. If he doesn't he's just an unusually mobile big with good but not excellent range (aka good role-player).
Lukas rebounding-numbers have been down lately (I think, I did not check). Could be coincidence but I think I see leass eagerness from his part to go after every available board. I also think this is on purpose, in order for him to stay fresh. I also assume somebody told him that. I know he downtalks his numbers but I suppose getting triple doubles is nice and maybe he was a little bit too much concerned with it. Maybe I am just imagining, but I think his rebound numbers declining is by design and therefore a good thing. Like RC says, individual numbers don't mean anything if you lose. This could be one direct result.
Clearly, we still have issues closing games out. Possibly, this is a huge red flag. I am trying to stay positive and say we will improve in this area going forward, as long as we stay healthy there is enough talent and depth to be a good team. Yesterday I thought they just were too sure of themselves late in the third and stoped playing. I hope I am not mistaken. I could really be wrong here lol.