I have been thinking about the various lineup options we have this year. More so than in the last few years. One of the few things that come from being deeper, even if we are not necessarily better. First off I think the article today from Mike Richman was pretty interesting. Read it if you have not seen it. http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...riguing_small_ball_lineup_in.html#incart_2box As usual, how a teams finishes close game can be huge in terms of wins and losses. We know we will be relying on Dame to be our go to guy down the stretch on offense. I think CJ will be a factor as well. But I am excited to see how we defend teams in the last minute as well. I think Aminu, Crabbe, and Harkless can be included in almost all matchups since they can easily switch on all wing players. Hopefully we will see the scenarios that left our slower bigs (LMA) on a quicker guard be eliminated after a simple screen. My question is who will be the other two players on the court with Aminu, Crabbe, and Harkless? I am thinking Davis is one. Who is the other?
Probably if we know the other team needs to immediately foul, but when defending a last second shot after a time out, is Lillard our best defender? I would say CJ would be a better option. He gets more steals. Or maybe if Aminu is on the other PG, maybe you go Plumlee and Davis with the 3 wings.
If you only cared about defending a last second shot I would think it'd be: Hendo Crabbe Harkless Aminu Davis
I assume we're talking about a scenario where we're setting a lineup off an opponent timeout, we're trying to protect a lead on the opponent's final possession, or will either call time out or get fouled if we regain possession. Outside of that specific type of situation, I doubt we'd be particularly focused on getting the best possible defensive personnel out there.
I thought the question was more about trodding out a small ball lineup for an extended period of time. Golden State won the championship with small ball, so there is a precedence for it's success. Honestly I think Aminu's natural position is playing the small-ball four. Playing him at the 4 gives you the ability to switch on all PnRs. Problem is our offense would kind of stall to a halt with Crabbe, Hark and Aminu at the wings. I think you would have to play Lillard. Crabbe, Hark, Aminu, and Leonard. Maybe Davis depending on matchups, but I think Leonard's size and shooting would strike a nice balance between offense and defense.
Originally I was think about various scenarios. My question at the end of the post probably limited it too much. But i am intrigued with all the different lineups we can throw out there.
I dunno, I guess I've just never thought too highly of the concept of situational lineups, except in very limited, extreme circumstances. Sure, we could put out lineups that include our best athletes, or our best shooters, or our best defenders, or best ballhandlers--but 95% of the time, I just want us to put out our best basketball players.
