Link“If you look at my probably 1,100 games [1,096] in the NBA, I think now 15 of them are coming off the bench,” Gasol said. “Most of them are coming back from injuries and stuff, a stretch with the Lakers four or five games that [Mike] D’Antoni experimented. Now here, coming back from this injury, I think we’re just trying to be the best team that we can. I think [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] is trying to do a good job of putting the best lineups and how they work together, and also maximizing everyone’s talents. With the second unit, I have more opportunities to score, to play my game. With the first unit, it’s a little more limited, my options."
He gets its.
Pop knows the stats better than anyone and I don't expect him to switch this unless injuries muck up the rotations. Matchups and who's hot will determine who is on the floor at the end of games, but these lineups get the Spurs off to a good start with the bench just making it that much better.
Now if Murray could get a little more seasoned...
Normally not a fan of Erler... he does tend to get too cute with his sarcastic humor is rather nonchalant with takes very often... however,
this piece by him is actually a very nicely written article/analysis of why Dedmon makes sense to start no matter how you slice it:
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2017/...dewayne-dedmon
Maybe you’re thinking all the pairing and lineup data is just window dressing to the real issue at heart. Leonard, by leaps and bounds, is the team’s focal point and his play will have the biggest impact on how far the Spurs go in the playoffs. So forget all the noise you’re saying, just tell me, “Who plays better with Leonard?”
Whi Not?
With Leonard Minutes Offensive Rating Defensive Rating Net Rating Gasol/Leonard 869 111.1 105.5 5.6 Dedmon/Leonard 432 115.5 95.9 19.6
Boom.
This is not politics here, amigos. There isn't a single “yes, but” here. Dedmon has Wally Pipp’ed Gasol and that’s all there is to it. He fits better next to Aldridge on both ends of the floor. Offensively it makes the pick-and-pop reads easier for both Leonard and Parker and Dedmon buys both more space on the perimeter, with opponents constantly having to be wary of lobs, the way DeAndre Jordan helps make the Clippers offense so deadly. Defensively, Dedmon has the range and explosiveness to make plays no other big on the team can make.
stats, smats
It's not even "in disguise"...it's a blatantly obvious blessing.
I didn't, but some people did. Wouldn't be the first time an NBA player complained about his role. I knew Pau could handle it after he accepted a backup role for Dwight Howard when Pau was still in his prime.
He's also been known to complain about lack of touches in both LA and Chicago..revisionist history at its finest, tbh..
"I've been on this team, in this city, for six years," Gasol said. "It's very hard to stick around on this team, and I take pride in that. I think I'm a valuable asset and I want my role to be as big as it can be, within the well being of the team. But I don't know if being a player that comes off the bench will be something that I'll be able to accept long term.
That's ing awesome, good to see Pop not being totally senile.
Excellent. I think who closes is more important than who starts (as was long the case with Manu) but starting Dedmon makes more sense right now.
That was understandable, given that he was still in his prime and had led that team to 2 chips. Howard should've been his backup, if anything.
He's also been known to complain about lack of touches in both LA and Chicago..revisionist history at its finest, tbh..
In any case, it's good to see he's changed his mentality with the Spurs.
None of this would work without Manu leading the way. Maybe also not possible if he wasn't still here. His presence plus his chemistry with Gasol are huge.
^ Alas Pop might eventually scrap this experiment if Aldridge continues to morph into a Tristan Thompson type of player..
SL offense hasn't been THAT great with Dedmon (+ Danny been building houses the past month or so), but Pau has looked the better for it..
^^
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