Errntknght
Registered User
This losing streak is getting old but I still think it can help the team significantly. If 'Smush' Parker works out, and I think he has a pretty good chance, that will help for starters. It lets Barbosa off the hook from being a PG, which could help him a lot - a little serendipity.
The 'chest bumping' the guys engaged in after a brief run in the Washington game tells me they still had an exaggerated idea of how good they were. Up until then they playing fairly well but afterward the Wiz walked all over them. Maybe they'll get a little humility and respect for other teams.
The biggest benefit would accrue through the coach. Maybe he'll get it through his head that relying on 3's is a losing strategy - it's the shot that disappears first under pressure which has been pretty well demonstrated in this losing streak. It isn't so apparent when Steve is on the floor making things happen but even then the team would be better off with more movement instead of everyone hanging out at the 3pt line. He really could have them set some off ball picks, too - it's allowed even if you aren't running set plays.
It may also get him seriously interested in using his bench a little more as it's now apparent that the starters are not really that great - with the exception of Nash. Even in his quotes he's been speaking as though he was intimidated by the starters - saying they were all deserving of stars minutes so how could he sit them down. That's BS.
I've been critical of the latitude he allows Amare and I was glad that he got him playing defense after his 'vacation' but this game sounded like Amare sluffed off again. The coach is the leader of this team when push comes to shove so he's got to get in Amare's face or sit him down when he dogs it.
The 'chest bumping' the guys engaged in after a brief run in the Washington game tells me they still had an exaggerated idea of how good they were. Up until then they playing fairly well but afterward the Wiz walked all over them. Maybe they'll get a little humility and respect for other teams.
The biggest benefit would accrue through the coach. Maybe he'll get it through his head that relying on 3's is a losing strategy - it's the shot that disappears first under pressure which has been pretty well demonstrated in this losing streak. It isn't so apparent when Steve is on the floor making things happen but even then the team would be better off with more movement instead of everyone hanging out at the 3pt line. He really could have them set some off ball picks, too - it's allowed even if you aren't running set plays.
It may also get him seriously interested in using his bench a little more as it's now apparent that the starters are not really that great - with the exception of Nash. Even in his quotes he's been speaking as though he was intimidated by the starters - saying they were all deserving of stars minutes so how could he sit them down. That's BS.
I've been critical of the latitude he allows Amare and I was glad that he got him playing defense after his 'vacation' but this game sounded like Amare sluffed off again. The coach is the leader of this team when push comes to shove so he's got to get in Amare's face or sit him down when he dogs it.
