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

[Coolbreeze44]

Well that was fun. I feel like I played in the game instead of just watching it. Lot's to be upset about and lots to feel great about. But like some of you have already said, we are 4-2 and we've only played 2 home games. Who would have thought that? Here is the 4-2 version of the 2 + 1:

1) I'm going to keep bringing this up until it changes. But Sam kept the starters on the bench Waaaayyyyyyyyyyy too long again. He was a big reason we couldn't stem the tide sooner than we did. I have to give him some credit though, this group is playing defense (for the most part) like I didn't think was possible. He deserves a lot of credit for that. But this platoon garbage IS going to cost us some games.

2) KMart drove me nuts again. He just doesn't have the one quality I respect the most in a player. Hint: My favorite baseball of all time is Reggie Jackson. I know he can score, but he tends to do it in the most comfortable portions of the game. Thank Sam for mercifully taking him out tonight when he did. It might have saved us.

Plus 1 - How can you not be excited about the youngsters? Wiggins is flat out a budding superstar. KAT will join him before too long, and Zach is just experience away from being a really nice weapon. Honestly, Andrew had me jumping out of my chair on more than one occasion. And then he was just so aggressive and clutch toward the end. Gives me goosebumps thinking about it. Towns is uber talented of course, but my favorite thing about him is how bad he wants to win. Did you see the fist pump after he blocked that shot? He also seems to already be good in the clutch. Again, that's my favorite attribute. And Zach even though playing out of position, can still make you wish he was a couple years older and had more games under his belt. The athletic combination of these three guys is simply awesome.

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

[TAFKASP]

I know I'm going way out on a thin branch here, but imagine if you will 20 minutes per game of PekSmash off the bench!! As exciting as it is to watch the starters blossom, the bench has just as much ability to extend a lead, or make up a deficit, or enlarge a deficit, okay, not all good but you get the point!!

I said it in the GDT, it is more encouraging to see them claw their way to victory after being crushed for 15 straight minutes than it would have been to see them coast to a 20 point win! If this were a veteran team this game would be all kinds of frustrating, but given the youth, and the major roles they played, this is a huge win!!

[Yosimar]

I hope getting subbed out for Andre doesn't hurt Lavine's confidence. Hopefully he and Mitchell just remember that first half he played. Guy was getting whatever he wanted when he went to the rack. Of course it all went downhill quickly in the 2nd when we needed a floor general in there but that's not his fault, he's not one. I would love to see Ricky and Lavine playing together.

[60WinTim]

It's easy to criticize in-game decisions by a coach when something doesn't work out. You are way too hard on Sam, and should do an about face and praise him for how he has handle this team thus far, both for their development, and the position he is putting players in, particularly the two cornerstones, Wiggins and Towns. The move to bring Zach off the bench has put Wiggins and Towns in the fast lane to stardom.

Here is one possible future for this team (beyond this year): Rubio and Wiggins are the starting backcourt and Zach is the combo guard off the bench, with those three playing the majority, if not all, the backcourt minutes. And we find ourselves in the market for a starting SF (I am skeptical Bazz will reach that level).

[Coolbreeze44]

I hope getting subbed out for Andre doesn't hurt Lavine's confidence. Hopefully he and Mitchell just remember that first half he played. Guy was getting whatever he wanted when he went to the rack, he was basically getting whatever shot he wanted. Of course it all went downhill quickly in the 2nd when we needed a floor general in there but that's not his fault, he's not one. I would love to see Ricky and Lavine playing together.

He only had one turnover, but I really don't blame Sam for putting Miller in there. We needed a steady experienced hand in the game and he didn't want to come back with Ricky so soon. I really didn't see it as an indictment on Zach, I just saw it as time when Sam felt development could take a back seat to winning the game. Zach was exactly what I hope he will be tonight.

[TAFKASP]

I hope getting subbed out for Andre doesn't hurt Lavine's confidence. Hopefully he and Mitchell just remember that first half he played. Guy was getting whatever he wanted when he went to the rack, he was basically getting whatever shot he wanted. Of course it all went downhill quickly in the 2nd when we needed a floor general in there but that's not his fault, he's not one. I would love to see Ricky and Lavine playing together.

He only had one turnover, but I really don't blame Sam for putting Miller in there. We needed a steady experienced hand in the game and he didn't want to come back with Ricky so soon. I really didn't see it as an indictment on Zach, I just saw it as time when Sam felt development could take a back seat to winning the game. Zach was exactly what I hope he will be tonight.

The irony was Miller was terrible, there was no steady experienced hand in his minutes.

[60WinTim]

I hope getting subbed out for Andre doesn't hurt Lavine's confidence. Hopefully he and Mitchell just remember that first half he played. Guy was getting whatever he wanted when he went to the rack, he was basically getting whatever shot he wanted. Of course it all went downhill quickly in the 2nd when we needed a floor general in there but that's not his fault, he's not one. I would love to see Ricky and Lavine playing together.

He only had one turnover, but I really don't blame Sam for putting Miller in there. We needed a steady experienced hand in the game and he didn't want to come back with Ricky so soon. I really didn't see it as an indictment on Zach, I just saw it as time when Sam felt development could take a back seat to winning the game. Zach was exactly what I hope he will be tonight.

The irony was Miller was terrible, there was no steady experienced hand in his minutes.

I thought Miller looked rusty, too. But his +/- was 0, so something okay happened. And that despite his missed breakaway!

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

I hope getting subbed out for Andre doesn't hurt Lavine's confidence. Hopefully he and Mitchell just remember that first half he played. Guy was getting whatever he wanted when he went to the rack, he was basically getting whatever shot he wanted. Of course it all went downhill quickly in the 2nd when we needed a floor general in there but that's not his fault, he's not one. I would love to see Ricky and Lavine playing together.

He only had one turnover, but I really don't blame Sam for putting Miller in there. We needed a steady experienced hand in the game and he didn't want to come back with Ricky so soon. I really didn't see it as an indictment on Zach, I just saw it as time when Sam felt development could take a back seat to winning the game. Zach was exactly what I hope he will be tonight.

The problem wasn't Zach, it was Shabazz with some of the worst passes imaginable, and Dieng playing like he's never played basketball before

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I hope getting subbed out for Andre doesn't hurt Lavine's confidence. Hopefully he and Mitchell just remember that first half he played. Guy was getting whatever he wanted when he went to the rack, he was basically getting whatever shot he wanted. Of course it all went downhill quickly in the 2nd when we needed a floor general in there but that's not his fault, he's not one. I would love to see Ricky and Lavine playing together.

He only had one turnover, but I really don't blame Sam for putting Miller in there. We needed a steady experienced hand in the game and he didn't want to come back with Ricky so soon. I really didn't see it as an indictment on Zach, I just saw it as time when Sam felt development could take a back seat to winning the game. Zach was exactly what I hope he will be tonight.

The irony was Miller was terrible, there was no steady experienced hand in his minutes.

He looked like he was old and had hardly played any minutes yet this year! Oh wait.....

(Rubio played 27 minutes. I'm scratching my head as to why Mitchell didn't just go right to him).

[TAFKASP]

(Rubio played 27 minutes. I'm scratching my head as to why Mitchell didn't just go right to him).

That and KAT on the bench so long is the difference between questioning Sam and congratulating him on a great game!