Head Coach JJ Redick Discussion: Spazzing Out

I saw that fool’s face at the end of the game and then immediately thanked God that he’s no longer our coach.
He was just clueless.

 

Accurate assessment

 

I like JJ and think he is doing a good job in a lot of areas, but he hasn't learned from last playoff's overusage mistakes. We finally have a nearly fully healthy team*, and he plays Luka and Austin for 40 min in Utah. I shudder to think what he's going to do in the playoffs...repeat Game 4 no 2nd half subs every game?!

Meanwhile, he only played game high +18 Smart just 17 min. Even though he used to overuse Smart up to 37 min if he needed him. Man, it's not hard, just shave 4 min each off of Luka and Austin to bring them down to 36, and give them to Smart for 25 min. I bet if he does that, the game doesn't even get close in the 4th.



*other than Ayton, but Ayton, Hayes, and Kleber combined for 44 min, plus Rui for 3 min at C, so we were not lacking for minutes there.

 

Wow it is indeed. JJ must be doing some things right.

On a similar note, I heard on a podcast (might have been the Hoops Tonight with Jason Timpf, but I'm not sure) this week that the Lakers are currently No. 1 in the league in crunch time defense. That's very encouraging anf honestly pretty surprising (to me at least). Good defense in end game situations is one of the critical elements in being an elite team, and the other end of the court should not be problematic with this squad.

Considering the lack of real defensive talent on this team, I would say this early success is also to a significant extent on the coaching staff.

 

So, if they can play it in the crunch, then let’s see it throughout the majority of the game!!!

 

I'm not sure if we have the horses to be an excellent defensive team for 48 mins a game over the regular season. We showed spurts last year where our effort and the 4 headed beast of Goodwin, Gabe, Vando & DFS off the bench really clamped down on other teams. But we were too small and that kind of effort is hard to keep up without something or someone breaking down.

I think a combination of Smart, Lebron, LaRavia, Gabe, Vando, Ayton, Maxi and Hayes are all good defensively. Reaves and Luka are passable too. Rui is a bit of a negative but can be decent as a small ball center. Knecht is a weak link and Adou, Bronny, Timme, Manon and Nick Smith are development pieces not to be relied on.

If we could get two more defensive pieces it would be nice.