Yo! Been reading and sporadically commenting but been real busy these days.
1) Coach can maybe stop experimenting with odd lineups now? That lineup to close the 3rd quarter had never played together, gave up the ghost, and that was that. Not sure what he was hoping to accomplish with yet another 3 guard lineup that hadn’t played ever but the result for me wasn’t a surprise.
2) Hayes has played great! Love his energy and his defense is MUCH improved since he was demoted for a month or so. Dude plays with a really positive energy and just keeps getting better. If it were me I’d have kept one of Hayes or LeBron on the floor at all times. It’s not up to me, sadly…
3) Reaves got some high praise from LeBron but I’m honestly still waiting to see him take that next step. Still regard him as an above average role-player who can backed down in the post. When AD, and increasingly Hayes, is in the game that’s not the issue it was last night. Last night it was an issue.
4) LeBron’s three ball doesn’t just look better, it is better. Fun article on LBJ’s lab work last summer. To the surprise of nobody on the planet he worked on his three port shooting form and the dividends it’s paying off are quite tangible. We’ll need all of it in the coming months.
5) Lost another tiebreaker and, increasingly I think it better we fall all the way to 8th anyhow. 6th would be ideal, and the math says it’s still in play, but the mind says “that ain’t happening”. We need LeBron and AD as right as possible and since we’re all but guaranteed to play at least 1 playin game (and increasingly it looks like 2) the only time they can rest is right now, in-season. Optimal? Nope, but it is what it is.
Bonus point: Coach needs to find a consistent role with Gabe Vincent and 2-3 starters. Do not trot him out there with the whole bench, especially in a 3 guard lineup, and expect it to pay dividends. Put him in a position to succeed, not behind the 8 ball.
It’s gonna be hilarious/ sad to watch fans react to Juwan Howard being our new coach….
I’m not saying that’s what I’d like to see but if Darv doesn’t at least make it to the WCF I’m giving it 50/50 odds he’s canned. If he gets as far as he did, given the injuries thing, I think he’s back. The real issue is no rookie coach is going to reach LeBron, I’m not even sure Coach Bud can, in year 40 The King listens to a court of 1, his body. So all the “Juwan” or “Rondo” talk is, in my opinion, a lark. Sure they were buddies on the floor (and LBJ might even run a play or two of Rajon’s) but ain’t nobody gonna make LeBron not do LeBron.
Howard reportedly turned us down to stay at UM before we hired D.Ham. Folks forget that Bud was well on his way to being fired before they got that ring..then he still got canned a coupla years later. Ime Udoka or Nick Nurse would be ideal but the timing doesn’t work. So we’ll probably end up with some hotshot assistant (just like D.Ham). Just be glad we didn’t make the mistake of bringing in Doc…
Agreed, Doc is the modern Byron Scott. “I was great at this…almost 2 decades ago…”
Good stuff JS.
Thanks dude!