06-07-2021, 11:59 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-07-2021, 11:59 PM by KillerLeft.)
When the Mavs were up 2-0, I made a point to talk about how the Mavs knew several different ways to play using only their best players, and that LAC was struggling to identify who their top players even were. That was true, then.
Since then, however, the Clippers made some moves, particularly in the front court, but also in the backcourt, to identify a way to play THEIR best players that somehow forced Carlisle to play freaking Boban and Burke. That's when I knew the series was over.
Lue chose Jackson over Beverley, and he chose Morris over Ibaka/Zubac. Other that some spot minutes for Zubac here and there, all those dudes completely exited the series early. Kennard played a bit in the last two games in an effort to bust the Mavs' zone, but other than that they basically shortened their rotation to the tightest possible version of it.
How did Carlisle respond? Boban. A gimmick. I get that KP wasn't giving the team what it needed to exploit the small ball lineup, but for $30 million, I would've gone down letting him try. It was the only chance this roster had, imo. If anything, I would've mixed in more Powell.
Since then, however, the Clippers made some moves, particularly in the front court, but also in the backcourt, to identify a way to play THEIR best players that somehow forced Carlisle to play freaking Boban and Burke. That's when I knew the series was over.
Lue chose Jackson over Beverley, and he chose Morris over Ibaka/Zubac. Other that some spot minutes for Zubac here and there, all those dudes completely exited the series early. Kennard played a bit in the last two games in an effort to bust the Mavs' zone, but other than that they basically shortened their rotation to the tightest possible version of it.
How did Carlisle respond? Boban. A gimmick. I get that KP wasn't giving the team what it needed to exploit the small ball lineup, but for $30 million, I would've gone down letting him try. It was the only chance this roster had, imo. If anything, I would've mixed in more Powell.