There might be some politics and general team chemistry risks if he had done that. I think you’re right about Collins and Hood being more immediately effective but I can see where there might be nuanced stewardship of excellent team chemistry at play.
I think that is highly speculative--especially considering Harkless helped a lot in that game. Stotts has to look at the big picture. Harkless and Aminu may be very important in this round. If Stotts pulls them as starters then what does that do for their confident this round? At this late time in the season, I like his strategy of keeping the starters as is, but bring in subs early if needed or change 3rd quarter starters. Too late for wholesale changes and you are much more likely to disrupt chemistry, and the change wouldn't guarantee a win. Collins could have fouled out before he had a chance to make the contributions he made later in the game.
Do you think Aminu only playing 7 minutes didn't effect chemistry? These guys know that it's win or go home. Aminu has played like ass. And pretty much 3 games in a row we had gotten out to a bad start with him and Harkless in the starting lineup.
That's the problem with Aminu..... he'll give you one game where he scores 19 and can't miss.... and then he'll give you four games of completely worthless play. But which will it be tonight?
So....I'm stupid for saying Stotts will stay the course (which he has done for 7 seasons)....but you can't offer any actual alternative. That's bull dada.
I made my peace with Aminu a long time ago. He always gives good effort and I think he is more blessing than curse to this team’s fortunes.
I have no idea if you are stupid or not as i don't even know you and yes, i expect some adjustments to be made. What they might be i am not involved in the practices so have no idea.
I think there is a big difference in sitting a guy who is having an off game after giving him a chance, compared to removing him from the lineup. I don't disagree on how Chief played. There were a couple times on defense he looked disinterested, which was very odd for me to see. But, there have been games where he has been critical. I think if you want to beat the Warriors you ideally would want him defending and hitting threes. If he isn't making an impact then play someone else. This strategy has worked to get past two difficult opponents, who most people thought would beat us. Next season I hope Collins takes his spot.
I love the guy's motor - but at some point you have to tell a player to swallow his pride and take a seat for the good of the team. The forward spot has been a weak link for too long.
Why is that beyond hope? Aminu has shot .409 from 3 in the first series, his playoffs 3P% is .399 - sure he had a bad series shooting the ball in the 2nd round - but beyond hope? I sure hope Terry knows to read basic stats for longer than 1 series. There is recency bias in everything and it has a place, but there is also basic understanding of long term trends - and I do not believe Aminu forgot to shoot the ball just because he had a bad series.
If Collins could consistently avoid useless fouls, this might actually be a possibility. If you did that right now, I think you would alienate Aminu and end up with your only real power forward sitting on the bench with foul trouble. Then what do you do against the Warriors? Mo has been inconsistent, Meyers doesn't work with Warriors lineup and I don't see Skal getting minutes in the WCF.
Where are you getting 41% from three in the first series and 40% for the playoffs? Based on ESPN, he shot 34% from three against OKC, 19% from three against Denver, and he's shooting 31% from three for the postseason. His CAREER postseason 3P% is 39.9%
basketball reference. Series: https://www.basketball-reference.co...nce-first-round-thunder-vs-trail-blazers.html Career: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aminual01.html
I don't care about career. I care about right now. Not sure where ESPN is getting their averages.... http://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/4248/type/nba/year/2019
