This is always a fun topic ... and illuminates the complexity of saying so-and-so should get more minutes. Certain guys need to be on the floor with certain other guys at certain times ... and guys also need rest. Building a starting lineup is easy, but building an effective lineup after say, the third substitution of the second quarter, is where things get tricky and you realize the trade-offs of getting a guy like Green from something like 24 to 32 minutes.
If you watch the substitution patterns and pay attention to roles both offensively and defensively it becomes apparent that THJ is actually the guy who's being asked to do more and play out of position the most.
Dallas starts: LUKA - KYRIE - GREEN - THJ - POWELL
THJ is in the fourth spot intentionally. Luka and Kai are clearly the lead guards on offense while Green and THJ play off the wings. Dallas switches things up defensively with Green taking the opponent's lead initiator and THJ guarding off-ball while Luka and Kai defend the wings. This will change after the first wing substitution and/or if the opponent has a bigger scoring wing. THJ is taking the challenge.
The first actual sub might actually be McGee for Powell. LUKA - KYRIE - GREEN - THJ - MCGEE
This keeps the basic game plan intact and I get the sense that Kidd wants to open the game with size and physicality, so swapping McGee for Powell accomplishes this. One offensive style with 12 available fouls. Powell is a better positional defender, and McGee brings more size and rebounding. It think it may be ideal if Kidd can get the pair to the 10 minute mark.
I'll spare the interim lineup changes in the interest of brevity and note Hardy is handling most of the backup guard minutes and if he continues to play defense, I think he'll get some playoff minutes. He's replacing Kai around the 7 minute mark which gets him a solid 4-5 minute run next to Luka in the first quarter. He'll stay on and play next to Kyrie to open the second.
Bullock is coming on for Green; Pinson (in Kleber's spot) is coming on for THJ; then Wood joins the party replacing McGee. Once Kleber is back he and Wood may come on together closer to the 6 minute mark, but if McGee continues to play well, expect Kidd to continues with a three-headed monster at center and extend Powell/McGee as long as he can get away with it. Wood is the 10th man.
That leaves the lineup to close the first quarter: LUKA - HARDY - BULLOCK - PINSON (KLEBER) - WOOD
Second quarter, more of the same, except Kyrie for Luka: KYRIE - HARDY - BULLOCK - PINSON (KLEBER) - WOOD ... this lineup is small with two legit PG-sized guards, but fast
First sub of the second quarter is Green for Hardy and now Green is playing off-guard. I'm excited to see this lineup when Kleber is back: KYRIE - GREEN - BULLOCK - PINSON (KLEBER) - WOOD
Next substitution is likely around the six minute mark, bringing Luka back along with other starters. Kyrie may get a short 2-3 minute rest. Kleber will rest so he can come back to finish the half. We could get a couple of minutes of Wood as the solo big here: LUKA - GREEN - BULLOCK - THJ - WOOD
Next Kyrie will come back replacing Bullock, allowing Green will slide back to the wing. I expect Kleber to close the half. LUKA - KYRIE - GREEN - THJ - KLEBER
After all of this Luka and Kyrie should land around 36 minutes although they'll likely be closer to 40 in the playoffs.
Hardy may land around 16 minutes in the regular rotation but he'll get squeezed by Luka, Kyrie and Green in the playoffs.
Green should be at 32-34 minutes, mostly on the wing with a short run in both halves at guard.
I think Bullock will see the biggest drop off once Kleber returns. 24-28 minutes, all in a traditional 3&D wing role.
THJ needs to play at least 28 minutes to make the rotations work, and he'll mostly guard bigger wings and forwards. He's undersized for the role and will need to rebound.
Powell & McGee should combine for 16-20 minutes
Wood should be around 20-24
Kleber will be around 24-28 minutes and finish both halves as the solo big.
If you watch the substitution patterns and pay attention to roles both offensively and defensively it becomes apparent that THJ is actually the guy who's being asked to do more and play out of position the most.
Dallas starts: LUKA - KYRIE - GREEN - THJ - POWELL
THJ is in the fourth spot intentionally. Luka and Kai are clearly the lead guards on offense while Green and THJ play off the wings. Dallas switches things up defensively with Green taking the opponent's lead initiator and THJ guarding off-ball while Luka and Kai defend the wings. This will change after the first wing substitution and/or if the opponent has a bigger scoring wing. THJ is taking the challenge.
The first actual sub might actually be McGee for Powell. LUKA - KYRIE - GREEN - THJ - MCGEE
This keeps the basic game plan intact and I get the sense that Kidd wants to open the game with size and physicality, so swapping McGee for Powell accomplishes this. One offensive style with 12 available fouls. Powell is a better positional defender, and McGee brings more size and rebounding. It think it may be ideal if Kidd can get the pair to the 10 minute mark.
I'll spare the interim lineup changes in the interest of brevity and note Hardy is handling most of the backup guard minutes and if he continues to play defense, I think he'll get some playoff minutes. He's replacing Kai around the 7 minute mark which gets him a solid 4-5 minute run next to Luka in the first quarter. He'll stay on and play next to Kyrie to open the second.
Bullock is coming on for Green; Pinson (in Kleber's spot) is coming on for THJ; then Wood joins the party replacing McGee. Once Kleber is back he and Wood may come on together closer to the 6 minute mark, but if McGee continues to play well, expect Kidd to continues with a three-headed monster at center and extend Powell/McGee as long as he can get away with it. Wood is the 10th man.
That leaves the lineup to close the first quarter: LUKA - HARDY - BULLOCK - PINSON (KLEBER) - WOOD
Second quarter, more of the same, except Kyrie for Luka: KYRIE - HARDY - BULLOCK - PINSON (KLEBER) - WOOD ... this lineup is small with two legit PG-sized guards, but fast
First sub of the second quarter is Green for Hardy and now Green is playing off-guard. I'm excited to see this lineup when Kleber is back: KYRIE - GREEN - BULLOCK - PINSON (KLEBER) - WOOD
Next substitution is likely around the six minute mark, bringing Luka back along with other starters. Kyrie may get a short 2-3 minute rest. Kleber will rest so he can come back to finish the half. We could get a couple of minutes of Wood as the solo big here: LUKA - GREEN - BULLOCK - THJ - WOOD
Next Kyrie will come back replacing Bullock, allowing Green will slide back to the wing. I expect Kleber to close the half. LUKA - KYRIE - GREEN - THJ - KLEBER
After all of this Luka and Kyrie should land around 36 minutes although they'll likely be closer to 40 in the playoffs.
Hardy may land around 16 minutes in the regular rotation but he'll get squeezed by Luka, Kyrie and Green in the playoffs.
Green should be at 32-34 minutes, mostly on the wing with a short run in both halves at guard.
I think Bullock will see the biggest drop off once Kleber returns. 24-28 minutes, all in a traditional 3&D wing role.
THJ needs to play at least 28 minutes to make the rotations work, and he'll mostly guard bigger wings and forwards. He's undersized for the role and will need to rebound.
Powell & McGee should combine for 16-20 minutes
Wood should be around 20-24
Kleber will be around 24-28 minutes and finish both halves as the solo big.
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