HALLELUKA: Luka Clinches All-NBA 1st team. 4th in 5 years

[DanSchwartzgan]

I forgot about Brunson's surgery.  That takes two of our top nine out of action.  Assuming Curry starts, you have KP, DFS, THJ, Curry and Luka.  The bench is pretty thin with Wright and Kleber being the main cogs.  Yes, we have some next tier guys who will have to play because stamina is going to be an issue (Barea, WCS, Jackson, Boban and Lee).  But, the dropoff from Powell/Brunson to those guys is fairly substantial.

So, we get a healthy Luka/KP combo, but our bench goes from a strength to a weakness.  Suddenly how well Courtney Lee stayed in shape during the last 3 months is hugely important.

I think WCS with JJB will be pretty close to him and DP if they get to work practicing on it. WCS already has rim rolling in his arsenal, so it shouldn’t take much to develop that chemistry. JJB has been a big part of that bench being what they have been in recent years (whether he was coaching on or off the court). Bench unit being a mix and match of all those guys CAN be pretty lethal, this whole team was always gonna be about teamwork and chemistry this year anyways, not dearth of talent.

There is a pretty sizable drop-off to date between Powell/Brunson and WCS/JJB.  The latter two were both underwater in on-court/off-court while lineups with Powell or Brunson were positive.  Powell was a starter averaging 26.5 minutes while WCS was a bit player averaging 12 minutes in games he was used at all.  Barea will be able to run the show offensively as he always has for spurts.  The question is whether we can put enough D around him to keep from losing ground when he’s on the court.

Little known fact...Courtney Lee averaged 18.9 mpg in the 14 games post the trade deadline.  My reference to the success of the bench being dependent on how well Lee stayed in shape the last 3 months was a reference to this.  I suspect he will get more minutes than either Barea or WCS.  In fact, it wouldn’t shock me to see him start and Curry come off the bench.  If Curry starts then Lee, Wright and Kleber can help protect Barea.  But, if Lee starts, then Curry and Wright will get most of the bench ball-handling duties and Barea’s role will be diminished.