CoolBreeze's 2 Things I Didn't Like Tonight Plus 1 (Nuggets)

[Coolbreeze44]

Very strange game but that W sure looks great in the standings today. It became too late for my report last night, so I have to hit you the day after. Here is the 2-0 version of the 2 + 1:

1) I said I wasn't going to criticize the minutes distribution, so this is more of an observation than a criticism of how Sam is running things, but I think he is playing too many guys, too many minutes. A ten man rotation is fine for a young team trying to figure things out, but some of these guys need to play more IMO. Tay played well, but he doesn't need 29 minutes on this team, even if it costs a game or two. Wiggy is ailing, but when he's well he needs to play at least 35. Same with Towns. Bazz needs more time, Zach needs more time - basically the young core needs to get all the minutes they can. Again, not an indictment just an observation. It's hard two find 2 things when you are unexpectedly 2-0.

2) I'd like to see us rely less on half court sets and find ways to get more baskets in transition. We seem to be settling for the half court offense instead of getting out and running, especially when Zach is at PG. With our PG and athleticism we should be seeing much more of a highlight show. Our best players like Andrew need to get out and run the floor harder. I hope the half court O doesn't become Sam's thing.

Plus 1 - That kid from Kentucky is pretty good. The numbers are one thing, but it's his competitiveness that really impresses me. He is a lot like KG in terms of what is most important, getting that win at any cost. KAT is not used to losing and I get the feeling he doesn't want to get used to it in the pros. He's just a very mature 19 year old with an abundance of talent and potential. It's a cliché, but he REALLY IS just scratching the surface. I worry about how lean he is in his lower body, it would seem he might have trouble with the grind of a long season. Will need to bulk up significantly to reach the potential, just hope he doesn't have a major injury before he gets there.

And that's Cool's 2 things I didn't like tonight plus 1.

[mjs34]

I think you could add plenty of bad shots by our second unit. Martin put up several that he never should have considered. I know he has a weird style, but those running away to the left over his shoulder aren't going in.

[mjs34]

almost forgot, Good to see you're up Cool! :LOL:

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

My thoughts:

1) I love starting out halves with Prince, but I agree that he doesn't need 20+ minutes. Holding KG and Tay down to a maximum of 20 minutes keeps them fresh, and gives more time to Bazz and Belly. Bazz was working his butt off on defense last night, and deserved more time.

2) Don't overlook Wig's back issue as one reason we aren't running as much. With him hurting and aging vets in the starting lineup, we aren't really a showtime team. I would like to see Zach and Bazz pushing it a little more when they're on the court.

3) Towns has been unbelievable...as Q said, he's a classic 5-tool player. We all saw what he did offensively last night, but it's also a relief to finally have what appears to be a legitimate rim protector when the defense breaks down (fortunately not too frequently so far this year!)
What's even more impressive to me is that KAT has been able to improve so much on his own since Summer League despite having that annoying KG always nagging on him and giving him advice...imagine how great he is going to be if KG ever shuts up and leaves him alone :thumb: !


A quick question about your signature 2+1 format, cool. Do you use a similar summarization technique in your coaching after games? It seems like a good technique...to give the girls two things to work on, but then leave them with a confidence building upper. Just wondering...

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I think Sam is doing well with his minute distribution given that he is trying to win now. Zach and Bazz actually have gotten more playing time than Dieng who I think is the best of the three players right now. All three guys will have to play better to earn more minutes or be ready if a starter goes down. The two guys who probably feel they are the most short changed are Miller and Tyus watching Zach run at point guard. But all the starters are doing a good job so kudos to Sam.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Gorgui's been awful in both games.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Gorgui's been awful in both games.

True, but he was great all preseason. Bazz has been bad too. Zach is miscast at point but he's playing the best of the three so far. I like Zach looking more engaged on defense.

[Carlos Danger]

I think Sam is doing well with his minute distribution given that he is trying to win now. Zach and Bazz actually have gotten more playing time than Dieng who I think is the best of the three players right now. All three guys will have to play better to earn more minutes or be ready if a starter goes down. The two guys who probably feel they are the most short changed are Miller and Tyus watching Zach run at point guard. But all the starters are doing a good job so kudos to Sam.

Completely agree. I'm fine with playing the old timers as long as they are the best players. I believe that was the vision - for them to set the table. Obviously they will need more rest because they are friggin old. That gives plenty of opportunity for the younger guys to show something. Hopefully - the younger guys eventually show they are better players and force their way into more minutes. Nothing wrong with making the kids earn it.

[Coolbreeze44]

almost forgot, Good to see you're up Cool! :LOL:

Thanks buddy, getting really amped for Monday night

[Coolbreeze44]

My thoughts:

1) I love starting out halves with Prince, but I agree that he doesn't need 20+ minutes. Holding KG and Tay down to a maximum of 20 minutes keeps them fresh, and gives more time to Bazz and Belly. Bazz was working his butt off on defense last night, and deserved more time.

2) Don't overlook Wig's back issue as one reason we aren't running as much. With him hurting and aging vets in the starting lineup, we aren't really a showtime team. I would like to see Zach and Bazz pushing it a little more when they're on the court.

3) Towns has been unbelievable...as Q said, he's a classic 5-tool player. We all saw what he did offensively last night, but it's also a relief to finally have what appears to be a legitimate rim protector when the defense breaks down (fortunately not too frequently so far this year!)
What's even more impressive to me is that KAT has been able to improve so much on his own since Summer League despite having that annoying KG always nagging on him and giving him advice...imagine how great he is going to be if KG ever shuts up and leaves him alone :thumb: !


A quick question about your signature 2+1 format, cool. Do you use a similar summarization technique in your coaching after games? It seems like a good technique...to give the girls two things to work on, but then leave them with a confidence building upper. Just wondering...

After a game win or lose, I'll start with the things we didn't do so well, but I'll always finish with the positive and what we are looking forward to. At the next practice we will do a warm up and then I'll sit them down and go over approximately 5 main themes before we get into the main part of practice. It only takes about 10 minutes and is usually a mix of good or bad. If I don't feel we gave proper effort the night before it will be mostly a lecture to get their attention. Our motto is "32 Minutes of Chaos", and if we didn't create that chaos they know they better bring it. It's a takeoff on the old Nolan Richardson "40 Minutes of Hell" teams.