(10-30-2025, 12:11 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Again...this isn't the conversation. This isn't a conversation about whether or not the starters need to be the 5 best players on the team, or the best lineup synergy possible, or whatever. I have been on your side of that conversation for 20 years. I agree.
But in THIS case, they are starting 5 players (or have been) that have, in my mind, almost a 0% chance of playing well together. I know some disagree, but (correct me if I'm wrong) I don't believe you're one of them.
I agree, having only Russell and Nembhard available made things tougher to start the season, but I get the sense that the lineup I hate is the lineup they LOVE. This is my concern. Can we maybe experiment with that lineup against the other team's bench unit a little more? Is it really reasonable to literally GIVE the other team ownership of the game's first 5-7 minutes? Again, it's not that they're not starting with their BEST lineup that bothers me, it's that they're starting with a lineup that's basically guaranteed to hand the first subs a 10 point deficit.
Right now, they have Russell AND Williams healthy and available. AND, the bigs are becoming less available daily. I suuuuuuuuure hope Kidd takes this opportunity to get more ball-handling in the games, even if it's just to keep the gun out of my mouth.
We agree. I don't think my insistence on feeling the need to provide context to some of these posts have anything to do with your opinions. Of course, if I were the coach I would have DLO over Klay in the starting lineup. I said as much after watching the first preseason game. I think it's the "coach is an idiot" stuff that bothers me.
I'd also have one of DLO or BWill on the floor at all times, now that both are available. I'd also start AD at the 5 and have Max over Lively. OR if we're talking truly best 5 players, I wouldn't start Flagg.
I have as many opinions as others on the starting group, and I think it's important, but it's more than just the best 5 players. It's how they play together. Who do you have available. How to set up substitutions for rotations you're trying to get to. How to get to certain matchups and a closing group. How to get your best 8 enough minutes. How to deviate from all of that when one guy is playing better than the other. etc. etc.
Edit: Not that you don't know all of this...or that I think we disagree. Just explaining why I've been so vocal about it.