Also: the decision to stick to the defensive game plan and let LeBron take a ton of 3s while limiting AD will work way more often than not. They didn’t do a good job of keeping LeBron out of the paint in the second half but in a tighter game, I’m confident they can limit AD and LeBron inside, which turns the Lakers into a jump shooting squad (weakness of LeBron, Vanderbilt and AD, Beasley gives you those points back on defense, Schroeder is high-variance, you get some long rebounds and fastbreaks off the misses, playing into another weakness of LeBron and you give yourself a better chance of keeping Vando and AD off the boards; Russell, Reaves and LeBron having a hot shooting night are the concerns but the odds are generally good). Bron and AD are finishing an insane 33 and 41% stronger when they get to the rim, the defensive strategy is super-obvious.

What I’ve seen from coaching, scheme-wise and without PG is why I wouldn’t mind facing the Lakers, even more so if it’s an entire series. We got much better depth, more guys to give us more reliable offense, a clear matchup advantage and a better coach. And in all likelihood, we got the best player in the series.

1) Morris ain’t starting anymore. Don’t mind him getting spot minutes but he doesn’t provide enough spacing or defense to start and play heavy minutes.
2) Lue has established clear (and similar) roles across both units: Zu and Plumlee play like traditional bigs who run pretty well in transition, protect the rim, finish, do the little things. Batum and Mann are the glue guys who can also space the floor, especially Batum. Usually make good decisions. Gordon and Norm give you scoring volume and spacing. Can both be shaky on drives and as initiators – or exploit teams that don’t defend them well. Gordon the better defender, Norm a mixed bag but with an occasional defensive highlight. Russ and Bones are energy sparks who playmake, provide scoring punch, volume and pace. Both have to be reigned in at times and Lue’s coaching clearly shows with both (e.g. Bones playing the clock more with the big lead today). RoCo is a swiss-army knife on defense who will play (now) when necessary and when he can hit some shots. Kawhi is the two-way superstar who’ll carry, draw help defense, initiate, lock down opponents…
3) Lue is going for continuity and established first and second units where everyone knows their role. Which helps chemistry, confidence and rhythm. Highlighted by his hockey switch today.
4) Lue has recently done a great job giving extended minutes to the players who justify it with their performance and/or their shooting.
5) He has recognised the value of spacing, especially around Russ/Zu units. Highlighted by pulling Russ and others vs the Lakers when neither he nor anyone else could shoot and we needed guys who are guarded on the perimeter.
6) He doesn’t wait for other teams to go on massive runs and takes timeouts in a timely fashion.
7) He often comes up with the right counters after halftime. Same today, conscious effort to get Gordon and Batum involved as the starters offense was all Kawhi, Russ, Zubac in the first half and the shot quality wasn’t great.

I see way more positives than negatives with Lue, especially recently which instills confidence going into the playoffs.

Let’s go!

They’ll probably beat the Blazers though. If expect with the Blazers and Suns tanking, LAC and GSW finish 5 & 6, and LAL, NO & Minny fight for the rest.