(05-19-2021, 06:54 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Probably not the best examples. Both Lakers and Warriors went small when it mattered most. Reduced the minutes of their centers in the playoffs. And it´s not like they used any capspace for them. Basically all vet min signings or MLE guys.
Mostly true (it also mattered a few times when they used their bigs) but it still serves my example. If all the teams are doing the same thing then where is the advantage for one team over the other?
The point is, the Lakers were able to play big when they needed too, even if it was only for certain matchups and certain stretches of certain games. The Lakers had a number of ways to get consistent scoring when another had found an opening, partly because they could use size advantages when needed at several positions including among the Bigs. It became a difference that could put them over the top and turn close games or possible L's into W's.
(BTW, Watching the Spurs get destroyed right now by Memphis and the commentators point out the Memphis front line led by Valanciunas is something the Spurs don't seem to have an answer for).