Comments on: Monday Bolts – 12.28.09 http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:12:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joe http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41416 Joe Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:17:45 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41416 I'll tell ya, much like what Justin said, for years we had coaches that would continually tinker with the rotations. It was maddening. We would scream for them to just set a rotation and stick with it. So really it's kind of nice that Brooks isn't that guy. I’ll tell ya, much like what Justin said, for years we had coaches that would continually tinker with the rotations. It was maddening. We would scream for them to just set a rotation and stick with it.

So really it’s kind of nice that Brooks isn’t that guy.

]]> By: Keith http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41374 Keith Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:04:22 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41374 <a href="#comment-41351" rel="nofollow">@Steve H</a> I don't think there is friction, I just think they tout something that isn't accurate. It's like your favorite restaurant. You like everything they serve, but ultimately, you just order the same thing every time you go. The Thunder have a bunch of great players, who each can play a multitude of positions, but they almost never play anything but where they start. Our smallball lineup with Durant at the 4 has actually shown some very promising stuff, but we almost never see it, not even just for a spark when things aren't going our way. Yes, we are probably overachieving already, but complacency on the part of our coach or GM should never be OK. We are good, but we still have a long ways to go to being champions. @Steve H
I don’t think there is friction, I just think they tout something that isn’t accurate. It’s like your favorite restaurant. You like everything they serve, but ultimately, you just order the same thing every time you go. The Thunder have a bunch of great players, who each can play a multitude of positions, but they almost never play anything but where they start. Our smallball lineup with Durant at the 4 has actually shown some very promising stuff, but we almost never see it, not even just for a spark when things aren’t going our way. Yes, we are probably overachieving already, but complacency on the part of our coach or GM should never be OK. We are good, but we still have a long ways to go to being champions.

]]> By: Tapdog72 http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41372 Tapdog72 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:57:09 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41372 <a href="#comment-41340" rel="nofollow">@f5alcon </a> Keep in mind that part of the reason for a nine man rotation is the only backup 3's we have are part of the starting rotation at other positions. With Weaver out, the only 'real' SFs we have are Durant, Green, and Thabo. We could go with a three guard lineup of Westbrook, Maynor and Harden in a pinch, but if Durant or Green have to miss a game due to injury or suspension, we might be up a creek. @f5alcon
Keep in mind that part of the reason for a nine man rotation is the only backup 3′s we have are part of the starting rotation at other positions. With Weaver out, the only ‘real’ SFs we have are Durant, Green, and Thabo. We could go with a three guard lineup of Westbrook, Maynor and Harden in a pinch, but if Durant or Green have to miss a game due to injury or suspension, we might be up a creek.

]]> By: Steve H http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41351 Steve H Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:40:01 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41351 <a href="#comment-41331" rel="nofollow">@f5alcon </a> I agree with most all of your observations (DJ to D-league due to depth at PF not demotion, Krstic unlikely to opt out, team offering Collison extension but for significantly less per) EXCEPT for the signing of a veteran PG. With Coach Brooks and Mo Cheeks on the bench, and hopefully a healthy Weaver to play 3rd string back-up, I just don't see the need. I also don't see any reason to remotely suspect any sort of rotational friction between Presti and Brooks. The team is exceeding everybody's expectations, and I have been entirely on board with Thomas's relegation to the bench, and DJ's lack of playing time in favor of Collison and Ibaka. @f5alcon
I agree with most all of your observations (DJ to D-league due to depth at PF not demotion, Krstic unlikely to opt out, team offering Collison extension but for significantly less per) EXCEPT for the signing of a veteran PG. With Coach Brooks and Mo Cheeks on the bench, and hopefully a healthy Weaver to play 3rd string back-up, I just don’t see the need. I also don’t see any reason to remotely suspect any sort of rotational friction between Presti and Brooks. The team is exceeding everybody’s expectations, and I have been entirely on board with Thomas’s relegation to the bench, and DJ’s lack of playing time in favor of Collison and Ibaka.

]]> By: f5alcon http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41340 f5alcon Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:42:42 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41340 <a href="#comment-41334" rel="nofollow">@dork</a> I agree with not wanting to confuse them, but brooks will only play a 9 man rotation, there have been games where we could have used a 10th guy off the bench for scoring or energy. @dork

I agree with not wanting to confuse them, but brooks will only play a 9 man rotation, there have been games where we could have used a 10th guy off the bench for scoring or energy.

]]> By: dork http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41334 dork Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:23:04 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41334 <a href="#comment-41331" rel="nofollow">@f5alcon </a> I think of it instead of an issue between brooks and presti more of a brooks and presti not wanting to confuse the young fellas with a large amount of different starting lineups. @f5alcon

I think of it instead of an issue between brooks and presti more of a brooks and presti not wanting to confuse the young fellas with a large amount of different starting lineups.

]]> By: f5alcon http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41331 f5alcon Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:56:41 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41331 <a href="#comment-41324" rel="nofollow">@dj</a> I really doubt krstic will opt out, he wont make more money anywhere else I think we would resign him, but for a lot less money, we only had to go big so that NJ wouldnt match the contract we offered. I think we will offer collison an extension at about half his current salary, or trade him as an expiring and see what he does in free agency. We will probably sign a vet PG to mentor westbrook and maynor. I would expect playing time for DJ white, at least to increase his trade value if he isnt going to be a rotation player for us. Mullens may make the roster, though he probably needs another season in the d league. If we keep our 2 picks in the 1st rd I think one makes the roster the other goes to the d league. <a href="#comment-41328" rel="nofollow">@Keith</a> I agree with us having all this versatility and not using it, but I think that is an issue between presti and brooks. One of them needs to cave and we either need to draft/pick up fa with the idea of a set rotation and role or brooks needs to play players based on matchups. Even if we ran an 8 man set rotation and had a 9th player who played matchups would be a boost. @dj

I really doubt krstic will opt out, he wont make more money anywhere else I think we would resign him, but for a lot less money, we only had to go big so that NJ wouldnt match the contract we offered.

I think we will offer collison an extension at about half his current salary, or trade him as an expiring and see what he does in free agency.

We will probably sign a vet PG to mentor westbrook and maynor. I would expect playing time for DJ white, at least to increase his trade value if he isnt going to be a rotation player for us.

Mullens may make the roster, though he probably needs another season in the d league.

If we keep our 2 picks in the 1st rd I think one makes the roster the other goes to the d league.

@Keith

I agree with us having all this versatility and not using it, but I think that is an issue between presti and brooks. One of them needs to cave and we either need to draft/pick up fa with the idea of a set rotation and role or brooks needs to play players based on matchups. Even if we ran an 8 man set rotation and had a 9th player who played matchups would be a boost.

]]> By: Jax Raging Bile Duct http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41330 Jax Raging Bile Duct Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:55:10 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41330 <a href="#comment-41329" rel="nofollow">@dork</a> I think Keith is trying to say that if we're a team who takes pride in our matchups then we should start Harden tonight, because there is no NJ Net who is a scoring threat for Thabo to lockdown. Meaning, James could lockdown their scorer just as well as Thabo and also add a scoring punch. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, I'm just saying that Brooks won't do it. I don't think we'll see him tinker with the lineup this season, barring injury. @dork

I think Keith is trying to say that if we’re a team who takes pride in our matchups then we should start Harden tonight, because there is no NJ Net who is a scoring threat for Thabo to lockdown. Meaning, James could lockdown their scorer just as well as Thabo and also add a scoring punch.

I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, I’m just saying that Brooks won’t do it. I don’t think we’ll see him tinker with the lineup this season, barring injury.

]]> By: dork http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41329 dork Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:46:08 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41329 <a href="#comment-41328" rel="nofollow">@Keith </a> I think by versatility and exploiting matchups was not inteded as a "this guy has a quickness advantage run ISO for him!" Once the young guys realise their own matchup advantages then you will see the plan in action. Right now you can get glimpses of it from time to time.. Example of westbrook is WAY too quick for Kidd... so he drives to the hoop. Most of the time the guards quick enough to match westbrook are smaller than him so he has the oppertunity to post them up (granted he has no real post game at this point but its in theory.)... :) @Keith

I think by versatility and exploiting matchups was not inteded as a “this guy has a quickness advantage run ISO for him!” Once the young guys realise their own matchup advantages then you will see the plan in action. Right now you can get glimpses of it from time to time.. Example of westbrook is WAY too quick for Kidd… so he drives to the hoop. Most of the time the guards quick enough to match westbrook are smaller than him so he has the oppertunity to post them up (granted he has no real post game at this point but its in theory.)… :)

]]> By: Keith http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/12/monday-bolts-12-28-09/comment-page-1/#comment-41328 Keith Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:29:17 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=6814#comment-41328 Keeping a set starting rotation is meaningful for certain players, but let's not pretend everyone doesn't know what being picked 3rd overall means. Harden is going to start eventually. The point is starting him now gives him more experience. He's never had to come out of the gate and roll with whatever happens. I doubt Thabo is really so egotistical to be put off by playing off the bench, nor do I think our big 3 is somehow going to be thrown out of whack without Thabo for the first 12 minutes. One of the only real issues I've had with Presti, to this point, is that he has created this grand idea of versatility and exploiting matchups... but we don't. Our guys are very much set in their positions, in their roles, and in their rotations. Let's see this team actually use it's pieces to get the most out of them, not just the same way over and over. Harden is the greater offensive threat by far, and there really isn't anyone for Thabo's superior defense to guard. We would be better served with Harden starting and playing the bulk of the minutes, and it will only help his ultimate development. Keeping a set starting rotation is meaningful for certain players, but let’s not pretend everyone doesn’t know what being picked 3rd overall means. Harden is going to start eventually. The point is starting him now gives him more experience. He’s never had to come out of the gate and roll with whatever happens. I doubt Thabo is really so egotistical to be put off by playing off the bench, nor do I think our big 3 is somehow going to be thrown out of whack without Thabo for the first 12 minutes.

One of the only real issues I’ve had with Presti, to this point, is that he has created this grand idea of versatility and exploiting matchups… but we don’t. Our guys are very much set in their positions, in their roles, and in their rotations. Let’s see this team actually use it’s pieces to get the most out of them, not just the same way over and over. Harden is the greater offensive threat by far, and there really isn’t anyone for Thabo’s superior defense to guard. We would be better served with Harden starting and playing the bulk of the minutes, and it will only help his ultimate development.

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