06-22-2024, 10:42 AM
(06-22-2024, 10:25 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I think the greatest lesson of the finals was that we need more O, but need to do it in a way that we aren’t giving up much D. I agree that I’d want Harris in when one of Luka/Kyrie is sitting. But, that doesn’t necessarily equate with not starting. Ultimately, it is a rotation. If Harris comes off the bench, fine. He and PJ and Jones are all going to get their minutes. If Harris starts and 5 minutes into the game he or Kyrie sits, that works too.
I agree with your first sentence, but place just as much emphasis on the second part as the first. From a playoffs perspective, there will be 15-20 minutes of game time where one of Luka or Kyrie are not playing. That is when Harris would be most useful. Those are the minutes that THJ/Hardy/Exum struggled. I do like the idea of getting that offensive boost from a backup 4. That way we can keep Maxi as a 5 out center and not eat into developmental minutes for Hardy during the regular season. Playing Harris with the starting unit is probably a net wash, maybe matchup dependent. He is much more valuable in the regular season when one of Luka/Kyrie are out (which will be fairly often).