2014 Spurs inspired a low ranked GSW assistant that led to Kerr's new line-up

[spursparker9]

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mMu8usWuEBV8yzj2e9gVpfJ_fVo=/0x81:3271x2262/709x473/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46526132/usa-today-8607464.0.jpg


THE decision to start Andre Iguodala instead of Andrew Bogut might have changed the series between the Warriors and the Cavaliers. After Cleveland succeeded in slowing down the pace and stonewalling one of the best offenses in the league with the presence of Timofey Mozgov near the rim, Steve Kerr decided to make the adjustment. The real mastermind behind the change, however, was one of the lowest-ranking members of the coaching staff, a "special assistant to the head coach" named Nick U'Ren.

"He's behind the bench, he's 28 years old, he's a kid," Kerr said, according to Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears. "We have a staff that is very cooperative. Whoever has the idea, it doesn't matter. And he brought me the idea."

The idea came to U'Ren after remembering how the Spurs changed the series against the Heat in the 2013-14 finals by going away from their traditional starting lineup to insert Boris Diaw for Tiago Splitter. That move added another ball-handler and scorer for San Antonio, who would go on to win the next three games to win the title. Benching Bogut and starting Iguodala, U'Ren figured, would have a similar impact as it would allow the Warriors to have their best perimeter defender on the court from the tip as well as having another ball-handler who could push the pace.


read the rest on http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/6/12/8773185/nick-uren-28-year-old-staffer-saved-warriors-season

[FlAVaK]

http://www.spurstalk.com: You're welcome, Golden State (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249379&p=8047147)

[benstanfield]

Didn't really work, tbh. That starting lineup was getting manhandled before Lebron got tired and gave up. GS won because Lebron went into "pass to JR Smith" mode and Livingston/Iggy played really well.

[313]

Didn't really work, tbh. That starting lineup was getting manhandled before Lebron got tired and gave up. GS won because Lebron went into "pass to JR Smith" mode and Livingston/Iggy played really well. 50-130(38.5%) so far while being mostly single covered is hardly manhandling. Going into G3, Lebron used 279 and was doubled a grand total on 15 times...

[Malik Hairston]

^^ He was doubled throughout game 4, though..he wasn't shooting efficiently through the first 3 games, but the Cavs had 60% of the possession in the game, which is huge by NBA standard, and Lebron had dominated the ball more than any player in league history through a stretch of 3 games IIRC..the strategy was clearly working, as it slowed the game down and allowed the other 4 Cavs to conserve all their energy on D(as JVG said) while Lebron scored enough to win..

They doubled him heavily in game 4, which made him give the ball up to his shitty teammates, and it helped speed the game up for the Warriors..it was also just a matter of time before the Cavs were worn out, though, particularly Lebron and Dellevadova..Thompson is probably next, too..

This article is kind of stupid, though:lol..everybody was saying and asking for Iguodala to start, it doesn't take scouting the Spurs to realize that..

[FromWayDowntown]

For all of the stubbornness that people ascribe to Pop and as much as the common narrative is that he's some sort of pompous ass, the truth of his leadership appears to be that he invites open discussion from all levels of his organization and allows a hearing for any ideas that others are willing to bring to the group. This same sort of decision with the Spurs could happen very much the same way.

It's very much different in practice than the way many (including some Spurs fans) view Popovich. But it's also indicative of a smart leader.