This minutes issue with Thibs is not going to go away. The coach is a major factor in both our wins and losses.....
.....
Thibs played nine. Nurse played nine....
So lesterdawg headed to the Mecca yesterday for the first time in a longtime with littledawgs and friendawgs to check out this thing in person.
And for three and half quarters, was very pleased with what we have created, this focused, cohesive, well-coached unit giving effort end-to-end, very much in control over a similar, but apparently ever-so-slightly-less offensively gifted Toronto unit.
Then, like clockwork, for the umpteenth time this season it started to go wrong at the
5 minute mark.Possession after possession, Brunson, Randle & Barrett decided to forego passing and go it alone (one single kickout to Grimes for a three excepted) just around the time their legs were going. They failed each and every time. They also ended up chucking it over two or three defenders each time because Nurse and the Raptors are not idiots and knew exactly what's coming.
RJ's coast-to-coast was electrifying, almost saved us, wow, you want to be in the Garden for those moments! But wasted. We were so gassed in OT.
You can be appreciative of what Thibs has made, but still fully understand there is a hard ceiling on this team unless he, or the personnel changes. Our game is so reductive..29 shots and 43 mins for Brunson? You've got to be kidding. He is a gem, and a joy, but he is no...Donovan Mitchell lol, especially in the second game of a back to back. Use the bench, Thibs, but even more importantly, keep moving the F-ing ball.
Nurse def outcoached him, maybe his guys played big minutes too, but they kept swinging it and playing basketball til the end. Would not hesitate to lay down bucks on the Raptors if we met in the playoffs.