Somebody upstairs needs to tell Mitch that Castle has to play more

[venitian navigator]

I Hope the agreement Is tò start him this season and let him run the second unit next season...
Imho for the style of game Vassell works Better with Fox and Paul works well with Castle. This could be the idea for next season too...next year we are probably try tò add via trade or draft more wings and big men...

[Strategic]

This season has been full of a lot of pleasant surprises...

We actually traded for Fox... we actually got rid of Collins... if would actually make the obvious lineup adjustments (even if 5 games too late) it would be rather amazing.

There have been some positives and as far as raw talent I’m ok with most of the roster. My let downs come from a general lack of BB fundamentals. I guess today’s NBA isn’t so reliant on basics. Although there are different conclusions as to why the Spurs were handled by the Celtics, rebounding really sticks out to me. Spurs had 2 guys with more than 2 boards while the Celtics had 7 dudes with more than 2. Add this to the amount of points the Spurs were out scored behind the arc and nothing makes sense. Even with what looks like zero effort put into offensive plays, I think the team scores enough points. I once heard a coach say that anybody can play defense. I don’t think there’s any coaching going on here. It almost looks like a more subtle tank. That’s my take, but be warned, my views are usually wrong.

[J_Paco]

Mitch is showing why he isn't a legitimate head coach candidate after a nice honeymoon period. His lineup choices and rotations have been absolute dog and aren't making much sense. He's too concerned with 'not hurting feelings' and seemingly can't - or won't - make hard decisions (like not starting CP3, Devin and Harrison together anymore).

Castle was struggling more than people want to admit to start, but he's adjusted to the athleticism and talent of NBA athletes. He needs to start alongside Jeremy, Victor, De'Aaron and either Harrison or Julian.

Unfortunately, I doubt Mitch has the guts or 'pull' to make that needed change. So, more losses are going to continue to pile up as the team defense falters more and more.

[J_Paco]

I Hope the agreement Is tò start him this season and let him run the second unit next season...
Imho for the style of game Vassell works Better with Fox and Paul works well with Castle. This could be the idea for next season too...next year we are probably try tò add via trade or draft more wings and big men...

Why not move Devin to a 6th man role to see if he can take to it, now?

He is struggling, looking bad as a third option in the starting lineup and it isn't helping that he also is forced to play SF. Castle is bigger, has a longer wingspan and has the strength to at least defend SF's better than Devin.

[spurraider21]

Why not move Devin to a 6th man role to see if he can take to it, now?

He is struggling, looking bad as a third option in the starting lineup and it isn't helping that he also is forced to play SF. Castle is bigger, has a longer wingspan and has the strength to at least defend SF's better than Devin.

i still think just due to his contract/age, as painful as it is, think devin has to be given a long leash down the stretch to try and figure things out with the starting unit. but seeing as how paul has no future with the team, the commitment to him makes less sense. just swap him with castle in the starting unit. that gives multiple playmaking guards who are drive threats setting up vassell

but yeah, if i was trying to maximize play-in chances, i'd bench devin at this point too in favor of champagnie who gives a little more size and knows how to play that role better

Fox - Castle - Champagnie - Barnes - Wemby

Paul - Vassell - Keldon - Sochan - Bassey

[scott]

i still think just due to his contract/age, as painful as it is, think devin has to be given a long leash down the stretch to try and figure things out with the starting unit. but seeing as how paul has no future with the team, the commitment to him makes less sense. just swap him with castle in the starting unit. that gives multiple playmaking guards who are drive threats setting up vassell

but yeah, if i was trying to maximize play-in chances, i'd bench devin at this point too in favor of champagnie who gives a little more size and knows how to play that role better

Fox - Castle - Champagnie - Barnes - Wemby

Paul - Vassell - Keldon - Sochan - Bassey

This solution seems so apparently obvious that it's rather painful to watch the team go out of its way to avoid it. It's like watching an old person use a computer... JUST HIT CONTROL+C TO COPY YOU ING DINOSAUR!!!

[Joseph Kony]

Someone upstairs also needs to tell the coaching staff that they need to actually coach and develop victor instead of letting him be a soft wuss out there chucking 10 threes a game while getting bodied by smaller players night in and night out

[J_Paco]

Someone upstairs also needs to tell the coaching staff that they need to actually coach and develop victor instead of letting him be a soft wuss out there chucking 10 threes a game while getting bodied by smaller players night in and night out

He needs to get with a developmental coach and work on operating out of the high post and elbow areas. Getting stronger and less reliant on chucking three's is gonna just have to come with time.

Growing pains of him being so tall and skinny, so he can't 'impose his will' like other past big men.

[TD 21]

Why not move Devin to a 6th man role to see if he can take to it, now?

He is struggling, looking bad as a third option in the starting lineup and it isn't helping that he also is forced to play SF. Castle is bigger, has a longer wingspan and has the strength to at least defend SF's better than Devin.

Given his limited creation abilities, he's not even really suited for that.

Castle is stronger, but they're the same height and Vassell is slightly longer.

[exstatic]

He needs to get with a developmental coach and work on operating out of the high post and elbow areas. Getting stronger and less reliant on chucking three's is gonna just have to come with time.

Growing pains of him being so tall and skinny, so he can't 'impose his will' like other past big men.

With him shooting 36%, I’d rather him take 3s than elbow 2s. That’s an inefficient scoring shot. Just from a comparison standpoint, you have to hit an ungodly 54% just to equal the scoring punch of the 3 ball, and the elbow 2 doesn’t space the floor.

[objective]

Re: coaching in general

The February 11 episode of the CHGO Bulls podcast had Will Perdue talking about how when Pop fired Bob Hill he told the team the losing was one thing, but the way they played and the lack of effort was unacceptable. Pop announced he was stripping the playbook to 5 plays, & when they got those right he would add another play, and eventually a 7th. But the effort and desire had to be there period.

This team needs that kind of coaching and end of bench players who are hungry. Every damn game loose balls fall in between a bunch of Spurs who don't grab it. Every game no one sacrifices their body for a charge, hustling to even be in position.

The only guy playing his ass off without bone headed plays is Castle and Wemby pre-Paris.

Mitch ain't about that life.

[Ice009]

Re: coaching in general

The February 11 episode of the CHGO Bulls podcast had Will Perdue talking about how when Pop fired Bob Hill he told the team the losing was one thing, but the way they played and the lack of effort was unacceptable. Pop announced he was stripping the playbook to 5 plays, & when they got those right he would add another play, and eventually a 7th. But the effort and desire had to be there period.

This team needs that kind of coaching and end of bench players who are hungry. Every damn game loose balls fall in between a bunch of Spurs who don't grab it. Every game no one sacrifices their body for a charge, hustling to even be in position.

The only guy playing his ass off without bone headed plays is Castle and Wemby pre-Paris.

Mitch ain't about that life.

Neither is Pop before he went on medical leave, though. I used to love his coaching back in the day. I was really young back then, but I remember that 96/97 team playing really hard. I actually like that team. Then when we got TD, I remember the Spurs never used to tolerate guys that shriveled up in the playoffs. Guys like Hedo that crapped the bed in the playoffs, they were usually never brought back. Also, I remember a big thing being that if you didn't play defense, you don't play at all. Now, up until Pop had to go out on medical leave (I hope he's alright and recovering well), and also after Mitch took over, they're just letting players do whatever. They're not holding anyone accountable for anything anymore and handing out minutes to guys that don't hustle, don't rebound, don't play defense. I don't understand how the philosophy has changed so much.

[z0sa]

I think it's time we played some normal size lineups, with Castle having 28-30 minutes a game.

Fox / Castle (or Vassell or Champ, I guess) / Barnes / Sochan / Wemby would be ideal. Mamu should get playing time every single game if Bassey isn't back. If Bassey is back, he should be in and probably, Mamu too.

I'd rather give up layups and see hustle on rebounding than these ultra small lineups that can't even shoot. That was the essence of Nellie-ball, anyway - having a team that could stretch your bigs out, get out and run every single possession, etc. It was a give and tank with the rebounding, but there's no give and take here - Sochan and 4 wings don't do that.

[scott]

I think it's time we played some normal size lineups, with Castle having 28-30 minutes a game.

Fox / Castle (or Vassell or Champ, I guess) / Barnes / Sochan / Wemby would be ideal. Mamu should get playing time every single game if Bassey isn't back. If Bassey is back, he should be in and probably, Mamu too.

I'd rather give up layups and see hustle on rebounding than these ultra small lineups that can't even shoot. That was the essence of Nellie-ball, anyway - having a team that could stretch your bigs out, get out and run every single possession, etc. It was a give and tank with the rebounding, but there's no give and take here - Sochan and 4 wings don't do that.

If we want to win games, I think the best lineup is:

Fox/CP3
Castle/Vassell
Champ/Keldon
Barnes/Sochan
Wemby/Bassey/Mamu (situational)

If we want to prioritize future development, then I think you go with:

Fox/CP3
Castle/Champ
Vassell/Keldon
Sochan/Barnes
Wemby/Bassey/Mamu

I definitely think option 1 is better than option 2 in terms of Wins and Losses to close out the year. But Option 2 gives you a better look at whether Vassell and Sochan can fit with the new Big 3. Option 1 might give you a better look at how that new Big 3 fit together though, since they won't be overcoming the awkward fit of cramming Vassell and Sochan in there.

[ChumpDumper]

Didn't Castle play with neither Paul nor Fox against the Celtics most of the night?

I like that for now.

[spurraider21]

Didn't Castle play with neither Paul nor Fox against the Celtics most of the night?

I like that for now.

he should play with Fox, since thats presumptively the backcourt of the future. this is the time for them to develop chemistry, learn to play off one another, etc

[ismael-robert]

Daf still clinging to barely beating worst team in league

[ChumpDumper]

he should play with Fox, since thats presumptively the backcourt of the future. this is the time for them to develop chemistry, learn to play off one another, etc

Eh, that's not as important as Fox/Wemby at this point.

Who knows who they'll draft?

[DAF86]

Daf still clinging to barely beating worst team in league

Dude, you are ain't making any sense. Just stop, tbh.

[spurraider21]

Eh, that's not as important as Fox/Wemby at this point.

are we playing doubles tennis or something?

[SpursGenius]

i still think just due to his contract/age, as painful as it is, think devin has to be given a long leash down the stretch to try and figure things out with the starting unit. but seeing as how paul has no future with the team, the commitment to him makes less sense. just swap him with castle in the starting unit. that gives multiple playmaking guards who are drive threats setting up vassell

but yeah, if i was trying to maximize play-in chances, i'd bench devin at this point too in favor of champagnie who gives a little more size and knows how to play that role better

Fox - Castle - Champagnie - Barnes - Wemby

Paul - Vassell - Keldon - Sochan - Bassey

This guy always posts the perfect stuff. When spurraider talks you all better listen. Dude should be the coach.

Maybe replace Champ with Sochan in SL only suggestion or atleast try him

[baseline bum]

i still think just due to his contract/age, as painful as it is, think devin has to be given a long leash down the stretch to try and figure things out with the starting unit. but seeing as how paul has no future with the team, the commitment to him makes less sense. just swap him with castle in the starting unit. that gives multiple playmaking guards who are drive threats setting up vassell

but yeah, if i was trying to maximize play-in chances, i'd bench devin at this point too in favor of champagnie who gives a little more size and knows how to play that role better

Fox - Castle - Champagnie - Barnes - Wemby

Paul - Vassell - Keldon - Sochan - Bassey

If they promised CP3 a starting spot they can't renege and it's almost certain they did.

[ChumpDumper]

are we playing doubles tennis or something?

Nope. Having Castle NOT share point guard duties is great for now IMO.

[cutewizard]

My dream scenario would look something like this:

Starting lineup

Fox
Castle
((Insert 6'8" 3 and D guy))
((Insert 6'8" 3 and D guy))
Wemby

Bench

CP3
Vassell
Sochan
Barnes
((Insert rim protecting big))

....................

Agree

A very logical structure

Hope we get players to fill up the forward and back up center archetypes

[cutewizard]

PS

But say

6'8 and above height for the forwards

Couple of 6'9 or 6'10s