While it hasn’t generated the kind of chemistry and discipline to get regular wins yet, Fizz seems to have the young vets performing, at least in the past week or two, at or beyond career bests. He is also getting more focused and impactful play from the youngins. He moved everyone in that 10 man rotation through the starting lineup, and while our pups cycled back out the experience gave them firsthand knowledge of what they will have to do to take and hold that job. You see it in the performances of Trier, Frank, Mitch, and Knox over the last couple of games. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Mario. Can he rise to par? If so, in what capacity?
I think we can stay as close as 4 to 6 spots off the bottom record while still competing and improving, especially if KP stays under wraps into the spring. It’s low odds Zion territory, but it’s still a neighborhood where a team can find seriously helpful talent.
Most importantly, if we keep things up, we’ll be fun to watch all season.
I believe Fizz would like Mario to function as a sixth man/instant offense plug-in at SF & PF.
So far...seems to be overthinking things...pressing...trying to PROVE he deserved the shot Perry gave him.
Knick on wood. I am hoping he finds his BURKE Moment, wherein he concludes, THIS IS WHO I AM, a tiger cannot change its stripes.
We shall see. We are not even into December yet. Looking at his post-All-Star break highlights with the Magic from last season is tantalizing.
As for FIZZ and his rotations...
He is genuinely trying to give everyone a look, a shot, to build their confidence (and team spirit) by showing confidence in them.
Remember how many big minutes Baker got.
Dotson was nailed to the pine, then got showcased. Now sitting and waiting....knowing his time will come again.
Likewise Burke. Who seems to be thriving in coming off the bench with the second unit, and finishing off with the best five at fourth quarter crunch time.
Not so much that he has players on a yo-yo, as media pundits such as Berman suggests, as he is still sorting out what he has, which combos work, and when to pull the trigger; finding a balance between offensive/defensive lineup balances.
EVERYONE has been up and down, but Burke's emergence is really a testament to the confidence and trust Fizz is working to instill.
Or as Padre Riles liked to put it, "I know you're ready, but are you prepared."
Likewise, while I recognize the good-humored snark in Don Carlos' desire for lots of close losses, my attitude about the lottery is that the draft will take care of itself.
We didn't get Towns, and ended up with Porzingis.
We didn't get Doncic, and ended up with Knox.
We didn't get Bomba and ended up with Robinson.
I would offer up my mother to Hamas for the opportunity to draft Zion (luckily, she is dead, and thus, very open-minded about such a transaction), but hey, look at what Philly did with multiple lottery picks. Simmons and Embid? Winners, who missed out on one and two seasons respectively. Elsewise? Noels...Okafor...Fultz...
NOTHING IS WRITTEN.
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