Thinkin a hot Norm Powell right now.

Maybe once all healthy we can make some crazy run to compensate for this terrible start, but history would suggest otherwise. Phoenix and Atlanta are not at 100% so we could begin this journey by hopefully going 3-0. Ultimately this team was built to match up with Denver, so that will be the real test. Maybe all the bugs will be worked out by then. Ballmer can’t fire Ty right now with all of this legal drama going on. Everyone in this organization needs to close ranks to get through it so we are stuck with him.

Oh me oh my

I am now becoming an optimist about the team. Here’s why:

1. Start of the season is close to a worst case scenario. Everyone knows changes have to be made. The advanced stats now have enough data to tell us how bad it is with the named starters. I’ve given up the dream of a top 3 finish and am just looking to see about finishing 4-6. That’s still doable w/changes.
2. Problems are fixable. Solutions are on the roster.
3. Fix the Harden/Zu ‘downhill’ pick and roll – Harden isn’t giving the ball to Zu in these situations. He’s also turning it over or getting it deflected a lot. Timing is off for both. Zu also needs more of a green light to attack downhill b/c there’s a lot of space, especially on his left side w/left hand. I know both players are ballers and hard workers and will figure that out even if the coaching staff is out to lunch.
4. Fix the 3 pt defense: that’s simple: play with size at the #4 (Collins) and get a dawg in there at the #2 (Dunn). Lue is eventually going to have to bend here. Ballmer can endure a lot of things, but being 10 games under .500 isn’t among them. This starting unit is bad enough to where they will lose to anyone if nothing changes. However, this roster is good enough to beat anyone if used properly.
5. Give CP3 Patty Mills’ towel set, invite him to join the coaching staff, and have him sit the bench. It’s time. His PG minutes should go to Bogi primarily.
6. Limit Brook Lopez to 5 mins a game, 10 mins max. Define metrics for him to meet that don’t revolve around chucking 3s (screens, boxing out, grabbing loose balls, connector play). Get YKN in there for a few mins b/c he has athletic gifts, is appropriately skilled, is big and can get you a couple of quality possessions here and there. There’s something there. Tap into it. You’re going to be #4 at best, which is 32-34 losses anyway.
7. Coaching staff has to preach: Pass more, dribble less. Only James should have a green light past half court to dribble more than 3 times. But moving the ball up the court should be a pass to the half court line area, not dribbling against pressure. Set off ball screens for the 2nd ball handler, have that ball handler cut to the open space around the half court line, deliver the ball, cut into the open space, get it back, get the defense out of position, hit the big in the post, drive the ball in space or find the open shooter.
8. Harden’s passing – hasn’t been very good despite his stellar shot making. He needs to work on getting those passes on target to the sideline and especially in traffic in the paint.

Collins, of course, was great but we have to put him in a position to succeed. It’s just wild looking at that box score and seeing Collins a -25 and Dunn a -24 when, if you watched the game, they were 2 of the most effective players on the court for LAC. It was all about who was on the court with them. Brook Lopez + CP were a disaster.