(08-31-2021, 07:36 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Terry claimed Bullock could have made a big difference. I claim the big difference can only come from two spots - non Luka minutes and KP on both sides of the court. We didn't add a wing, we replaced one and the result is yet to be seen.
Well if you get to define that a “big difference” can only come in the way you define it, then by definition nothing can make a “bid difference” except what you say.
I don't get to define anything, I don't get this take of yours. It is my opinion where the big difference can (as in "would be able to" as in what change would make a difference and what wouldn't) come from. You can have another opinion where the difference can come from and we discuss or agree to disagree. Perhaps it is my English.
(08-31-2021, 07:36 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: BTW, JRich got 6/9/6 minutes the final three games. We DID add a wing. He’s the guy who will be playing an average of 25 minutes more than what JRich played in those games in the next playoffs.
I don't agree. Number of wing options remains the same. How many minutes each of them gets depends on daily form, fit and so on. As I said I don't think it is a valid take to just take away all the bad wing minutes (JRich and others), insert new player and say these would turn into good minutes. I don't think it would work like that at all. Totally possible Bullock would play 30 minutes, but those minutes would likely come from DFS and THJ too.
(08-31-2021, 07:36 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Interesting stat - NY was better when Bullock sat in playoffs.
Isn’t that what you’d expect when you start for a team that goes 1-4 against a superior opponent?
Not necessary. Take Portland for example - starters were a nice positive in their Denver series, bench was a negative.
(08-31-2021, 07:36 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I actually see a relationship between Kawhi going off and JRich only managing to earn 9 minutes. My guess is even if Bullock and JRich are a wash defensively (which few believe), Bullock’s better shooting would keep him on the floor much more than JRich managed to be. BTW, we both know final score is not indicative of how close a game might have been in the final five minutes. I was very carefully to indicate that late game momentum can shift on a single stop or a single made three. JRich couldn’t do either of those from the bench.
I actually don't think they are a wash defensively. I think it is the position Mavs puts them in preventing them to have good defensive numbers, imho. Wright also had bad defensive numbers in the playoffs a season ago. I would like to see an argument why good defenders on their former teams (JRich, Wright) turned to bad defenders with Mavs and why you are sure Bullock won't. That was my point.
Sure JRich couldn't turn the game around from the bench, but Bullock playing means it is another wing sitting. So I come back to original point. I don't think wing minutes were a problem and he is not replacing players where the problem did come from. Perhaps to better explain my view. I split Mavs into three parts: playmakers, wings, center. I think overall wing performance stays the same (or very similar) with Bullock. I don't think there is any level of certainty that this group would perform that one or two additional plays needed to win that close game.
(08-31-2021, 07:36 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: We have to be careful about how we keep switching the conversation from playoff series (where JRich averaged 7 minutes a game the last three games) to role and fit the entire season. In terms of fit, I think it is easy. If either of the former Mav’s could hit an open three, they would still be here. They couldn’t. I’ll add that both expected some amount of playing with the ball in their hands. Bullock doesn’t expect that. Defensively, I take solace in the fact that Bullock always took the other teams best perimeter scoring threat and did it on the third best D in the league. When the playoffs rolled around, that third best D in the league raised Bullock’s minutes while the 20th best D in the league cut JRich to 7 a game the last three games. We absolutely did add a wing…at least as far as the Clipper’s series is concerned.
I am sticking to playoff series. I think main reason for JRich low minutes was team defense which just collapsed with him on the floor. Sure he wasn't good offensively, but he might have stayed on the court if his defense would be there. Similar thing happened to Wright a season ago.
I agree Bullock always took opponents best player on one of best defenses, although it appears he was not guarding PG (he was guarding Huerter against Atlanta, Brooks against Memphis for example - just a quick matchup look). Doesn't matter, lets simplify the discussion. What I was trying to say, JRich did exactly the same thing in both Philly and Miami with both teams playing excellent defense (8th and 7th in the league respectively).