Yeah, I think we're getting to that second round.
I've agreed with your argument to keep Payton in there. Thought the alternative would be disruptive.
But you're not getting into the 2nd round if you spot a (sometimes significant) lead every first quarter. Gotta fix that shit. If it's changing a player, that would be the point guard, no?
True
Thibs is still finessing that, in his mind's eye.
He's generally been giving Elfrid like 6-7-8 minutes to start each half.
Be interesting to see if he has a quicker hook over the final two games, against teams that are tough matchups for us, even as they are missing key players.
Notice last night when he brought in IQ, and he was rusty as a shooter, finisher, facilitator, defender--ALL THE MAJOR FOOD GROUP--and as much as Thibs loves Quickley, he got a quick hook.
Notice how against the Lakers, there were points, and neither IQ nor Burks were available, where he overlooked Elfrid and went with Frank instead, who made some significant contributions to that game defensively and hitting a couple of threes.
DEFENSE is clearly a deciding factor for Thibs.
And why Elfrid lingers in the rotation.
Look at Bullock.
He has been inconsistent offensively all year long. When he is on, he is a deadly sniper, but when he is off. MEH. He and Julius have a lovely rapport, where Randle often finds him open off of double teams.
But Bullock is not particularly adept at creating his own shot.
But what has kept Bullock in the rotation and in Thibs' heart against a backdrop of sometimes desultory offensive performances, is HIS DEFENSIVE TENACITY. The nature of his game is such that Brazdeikis was shipped out, and Kevin Knox is buried on the pine, and presumably both Burks and RJ can be counted upon as SFs if Rose and Quick are in the back court.
It's not as if Thibs and Johnnie Bryant and Kenny Payne are not about player development--Mitchell, RJ, IQ, Obi have all made strides though Mitchell derailed by injuries while Obi and IQ on a short leash.
But it is the vestigial remains of Elfrid's defensive game that keep him in the rotation, and frankly, Rose coming in with/against second units, allows him to get a head of steam up, which serves him well at game's end, where, when not gassed, he has been a superb closer.
Anyway, kind of hard to second guess Thibs on much. I mean we were 21-45 in 2019-2020.
If [IF], God FORBID, we close out 2020-2021 with two more wins? 41-31The defense rests your honor.
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