08-20-2024, 10:58 AM
I'm thinking their lineup-building model will work a bit different than that ^. But we're all guessing and will have to see how it goes.
I think they'll align it like this, in their base setup, a basic and simple scheme revolving around their offense:
Center(1) for defense - Gafford-Lively splitting about all 48
Guards (2) for offense - Luka-Kyrie-Klay splitting about all 96
Forwards (2) for defense - PJW, Kleber, Naji, Grimes, Exum
Others in reserve: Powell (C ), Dinwiddie (G), Hardy (G), Garbage time/cheerleader crew - OMax, Lawson, Morris
I see the POA defender as one of the "Forwards" even though defending a guard - because that expertise is not likely to be coming from Luka-Kyrie-Klay. I would guess Exum or Grimes might be the best ones for that, although I expect others to get chances at that job, and we might see a lot of zone as well.
As for how it would work with all 3 of Luka-Kyrie-Klay starting, even though they are splitting 2 positions, that's an issue to resolve. The defense with those 3 on the floor at the same time seems iffy, unless Klay is MUCH better on defense than I expect, because who is going to guard the elite offense-creating guards? That would mean one has to be subbed for fairly quick each game and they will have to take turns playing in pairs. Ideally Klay or Kyrie embraces a 6th Man role.
All that having been said, I expect to see lots and lots of differing combos, which will primarily include some sort of core lineup-building principles they adopt, but then at times there will be lineups fitting almost no logical pattern at all. And when injuries are in the mix? Who knows.
I think they'll align it like this, in their base setup, a basic and simple scheme revolving around their offense:
Center(1) for defense - Gafford-Lively splitting about all 48
Guards (2) for offense - Luka-Kyrie-Klay splitting about all 96
Forwards (2) for defense - PJW, Kleber, Naji, Grimes, Exum
Others in reserve: Powell (C ), Dinwiddie (G), Hardy (G), Garbage time/cheerleader crew - OMax, Lawson, Morris
I see the POA defender as one of the "Forwards" even though defending a guard - because that expertise is not likely to be coming from Luka-Kyrie-Klay. I would guess Exum or Grimes might be the best ones for that, although I expect others to get chances at that job, and we might see a lot of zone as well.
As for how it would work with all 3 of Luka-Kyrie-Klay starting, even though they are splitting 2 positions, that's an issue to resolve. The defense with those 3 on the floor at the same time seems iffy, unless Klay is MUCH better on defense than I expect, because who is going to guard the elite offense-creating guards? That would mean one has to be subbed for fairly quick each game and they will have to take turns playing in pairs. Ideally Klay or Kyrie embraces a 6th Man role.
All that having been said, I expect to see lots and lots of differing combos, which will primarily include some sort of core lineup-building principles they adopt, but then at times there will be lineups fitting almost no logical pattern at all. And when injuries are in the mix? Who knows.