Pretend there is no trade until at least this off-season

[KeepOnRollin]

Which could be the case for all we know....

What would you do if you put yourself as coach? (Besides ask for the forum to submit plays @SlyPokerDog)

1. I would play Vonleh much more than he is now. He deserves time. He is literally our best rebounder (yes even better than Plumlee). And might just be our only hope for the future (if Management/Paul Allen is allergic to trades).

2. Leonard would only come in the game if we needed a good freethrow shooting big man at the end of games or we were looking for 5 three point shooters on the last possession to tie or win a game.

3. I don't know what I would do with Ed Davis but somehow I would try to slap him out of whatever is going on with him. He was a force last year. This year is mind-blowingly bad.

4. Layman would enter the rotation (but not a huge amount of minutes).

5. I would not play Project Pat unless it was blowout one way or another.

6. I would go to Paul Allen and plead for him to get a new big man coach and/or defensive coordinator (preferably both). I would not have a ego about someone else stepping on my toes or getting too much limelight (of course easy to say from the couch).

And I would lose lots. Not because I want to lose just because that is what would likely happen. There is no magic pill that would magically make us a contender BUT I think our team would be better off next year with those two guys (I mentioned) getting minutes.

What are things you would do with our team (as it currently stands) if you were the coach?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

If I pretended that, then I think I would start following the EPL a lot more.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The Story of Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu is a famous military strategist who wrote a book titled THE ART OF WAR, which over the centuries has become a highly regarded treatise on military theory.

Ssu-ma Ch`ien gives the following biography of Sun Tzu:

Sun Tzu Wu (Sun Tzu) was a native of the Ch`i State. His ART OF WAR brought him to the notice of Ho Lu, King of Wu. Ho Lu said to him: "I have carefully perused your 13 chapters. May I submit your theory of managing soldiers to a slight test?" Sun Tzu replied: "You may." Ho Lu asked: "May the test be applied to women?" The answer was again in the affirmative, so arrangements were made to bring 180 ladies out of the Palace.

Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, and placed one of the King's favorite concubines at the head of each. He then bade them all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus: "I presume you know the difference between front and back, right h and and left hand?" The girls replied: Yes.

Sun Tzu went on: "When I say "Eyes front," you must look straight ahead. When I say "Left turn," you must face towards your left hand. When I say "Right turn," you must face towards your right hand. When I say "About turn," you must face right roun d towards your back." Again the girls assented. The words of command having been thus explained, he set up the halberds and battle-axes in order to begin the drill. Then, to the sound of drums, he gave the order "Right turn." But the girls only burst out laughing. Sun Tzu said: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame."

So he started drilling them again, and this time gave the order "Left turn," whereupon the girls once more burst into fits of laughter. Sun Tzu: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders ARE clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers."

So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies to be beheaded. Now the king of Wu was watching the scene from the top of a raised pavilion; and when he saw that his favorite concubines were about to be executed, he was greatly alarmed and hurried ly sent down the following message: "We are now quite satisfied as to our general's ability to handle troops. If we are bereft of these two concubines, our meat and drink will lose their savor. It is our wish that they shall not be beheaded."

Sun Tzu replied: "Having once received His Majesty's commission to be the general of his forces, there are certain commands of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am unable to accept." Accordingly, he had the two leaders beheaded, and straightway installed the pair next in order as leaders in their place. When this had been done, the drum was sounded for the drill once more; and the girls went through all the evolution, turning to the right or to the left, marching ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound.

Then Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King saying: "Your soldiers, Sire, are now properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for your majesty's inspection. They can be put to any use that their sovereign may desire; bid them go through fire and water, an d they will not disobey."

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The Story of Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu is a famous military strategist who wrote a book titled THE ART OF WAR, which over the centuries has become a highly regarded treatise on military theory.

Ssu-ma Ch`ien gives the following biography of Sun Tzu:

Sun Tzu Wu (Sun Tzu) was a native of the Ch`i State. His ART OF WAR brought him to the notice of Ho Lu, King of Wu. Ho Lu said to him: "I have carefully perused your 13 chapters. May I submit your theory of managing soldiers to a slight test?" Sun Tzu replied: "You may." Ho Lu asked: "May the test be applied to women?" The answer was again in the affirmative, so arrangements were made to bring 180 ladies out of the Palace.

Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, and placed one of the King's favorite concubines at the head of each. He then bade them all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus: "I presume you know the difference between front and back, right h and and left hand?" The girls replied: Yes.

Sun Tzu went on: "When I say "Eyes front," you must look straight ahead. When I say "Left turn," you must face towards your left hand. When I say "Right turn," you must face towards your right hand. When I say "About turn," you must face right roun d towards your back." Again the girls assented. The words of command having been thus explained, he set up the halberds and battle-axes in order to begin the drill. Then, to the sound of drums, he gave the order "Right turn." But the girls only burst out laughing. Sun Tzu said: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame."

So he started drilling them again, and this time gave the order "Left turn," whereupon the girls once more burst into fits of laughter. Sun Tzu: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders ARE clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers."

So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies to be beheaded. Now the king of Wu was watching the scene from the top of a raised pavilion; and when he saw that his favorite concubines were about to be executed, he was greatly alarmed and hurried ly sent down the following message: "We are now quite satisfied as to our general's ability to handle troops. If we are bereft of these two concubines, our meat and drink will lose their savor. It is our wish that they shall not be beheaded."

Sun Tzu replied: "Having once received His Majesty's commission to be the general of his forces, there are certain commands of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am unable to accept." Accordingly, he had the two leaders beheaded, and straightway installed the pair next in order as leaders in their place. When this had been done, the drum was sounded for the drill once more; and the girls went through all the evolution, turning to the right or to the left, marching ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound.

Then Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King saying: "Your soldiers, Sire, are now properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for your majesty's inspection. They can be put to any use that their sovereign may desire; bid them go through fire and water, an d they will not disobey."

So yes, after the game I would behead Meyers in front of the rest of the team.

I'm guessing our defense will improve rather quickly.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

The Story of Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu is a famous military strategist who wrote a book titled THE ART OF WAR, which over the centuries has become a highly regarded treatise on military theory.

Ssu-ma Ch`ien gives the following biography of Sun Tzu:

Sun Tzu Wu (Sun Tzu) was a native of the Ch`i State. His ART OF WAR brought him to the notice of Ho Lu, King of Wu. Ho Lu said to him: "I have carefully perused your 13 chapters. May I submit your theory of managing soldiers to a slight test?" Sun Tzu replied: "You may." Ho Lu asked: "May the test be applied to women?" The answer was again in the affirmative, so arrangements were made to bring 180 ladies out of the Palace.

Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, and placed one of the King's favorite concubines at the head of each. He then bade them all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus: "I presume you know the difference between front and back, right h and and left hand?" The girls replied: Yes.

Sun Tzu went on: "When I say "Eyes front," you must look straight ahead. When I say "Left turn," you must face towards your left hand. When I say "Right turn," you must face towards your right hand. When I say "About turn," you must face right roun d towards your back." Again the girls assented. The words of command having been thus explained, he set up the halberds and battle-axes in order to begin the drill. Then, to the sound of drums, he gave the order "Right turn." But the girls only burst out laughing. Sun Tzu said: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame."

So he started drilling them again, and this time gave the order "Left turn," whereupon the girls once more burst into fits of laughter. Sun Tzu: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders ARE clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers."

So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies to be beheaded. Now the king of Wu was watching the scene from the top of a raised pavilion; and when he saw that his favorite concubines were about to be executed, he was greatly alarmed and hurried ly sent down the following message: "We are now quite satisfied as to our general's ability to handle troops. If we are bereft of these two concubines, our meat and drink will lose their savor. It is our wish that they shall not be beheaded."

Sun Tzu replied: "Having once received His Majesty's commission to be the general of his forces, there are certain commands of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am unable to accept." Accordingly, he had the two leaders beheaded, and straightway installed the pair next in order as leaders in their place. When this had been done, the drum was sounded for the drill once more; and the girls went through all the evolution, turning to the right or to the left, marching ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound.

Then Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King saying: "Your soldiers, Sire, are now properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for your majesty's inspection. They can be put to any use that their sovereign may desire; bid them go through fire and water, an d they will not disobey."

I am sure some coaches in history have made this required reading for players or taught them these disciplines. Would be interesting to know which ones and do a correlation between them and their records. I think good players though trump (haha, oops didn't mean to put that) any homework. Like for example, Phil Jackson made some books required reading but also had star players.

 

[Reep]

I would give my new front line (Meyers, Vonleh, Harkless (incumbent)) lots of minutes. I would start Dame or CJ (probably Dame) and Turner/Quarterman in the backcourt. The goal would be to give these guys as many minutes as they could handle and see what happens on my way to a decent lottery pick.

In today's NBA I would also get fired after four games, but this is hypothetical. I am pretending I am owner too.

As much as I love these guys, I would sit Plumlee and Davis. They are not the future.

 

[e_blazer]

I'd start thinking about my post-NBA career.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I'd start thinking about my post-NBA career.

Ya, I would be lucky to make it to the end of the season. But I think it is better than just going with the way we are now....

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think I will have a drink.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I think I will have a drink.

Indeed, a lot of them to put up with the losing. Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two forward though.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I'd fire @HCP.

Just because.

 

[Reep]

Orlando starts with an "O"

 

[e_blazer]

If I were Stotts, I would first talk with Olshey and see if he wants to give it to the deadline to make a serious playoff push. If so, I would get Dame and CJ together and tell them they have to do whatever is needed as team leaders to light a fire and make it happen. If they don't, or if Olshey is ready to go lottery mode, I'd play those two no more than 15 minutes a game and let the losses rack up.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If I were Stotts, I would first talk with Olshey and see if he wants to give it to the deadline to make a serious playoff push. If so, I would get Dame and CJ together and tell them they have to do whatever is needed as team leaders to light a fire and make it happen. If they don't, or if Olshey is ready to go lottery mode, I'd play those two no more than 15 minutes a game and let the losses rack up.

They may as well just fire him then. The Owner sets the agenda, not the coach and GM. If they aren't living up to expectations, then expect heads to roll first.

 

[e_blazer]

They may as well just fire him then. The Owner sets the agenda, not the coach and GM. If they aren't living up to expectations, then expect heads to roll first.

I was assuming that Olshey has been in communication with Paul Allen. If he hasn't, all hope is lost for this franchise anyway.

 

[Hobbesarable]

I'd fire @HCP.

Just because.

Is that your equivalent to kickin' a dog? The dog goes and bites the lawnmower man.

 

[e_blazer]

I'd fire @HCP.

Just because.

I'm beginning to think that MB and the Wild One hired a voodoo practitioner as retribution to put a hex on this team.

 

[Minstrel]

If I were Stotts, I would first talk with Olshey and see if he wants to give it to the deadline to make a serious playoff push. If so, I would get Dame and CJ together and tell them they have to do whatever is needed as team leaders to light a fire and make it happen.

That implies that they aren't already doing what they can to "light a fire." I don't think there's much either guy can do to will the team to victory. The team fundamentally lacks talent.

I'd also assume that Olshey and Stotts have constant communication (if they don't, then the franchise is dysfunctional) so they should already know what the other is thinking.

There aren't any quick fixes for a team that's completely unsuited, from a personnel standpoint, to play defense and has very little offensive talent beyond Lillard and McCollum. Barring a super-lucky strike in the draft, the choices are either to retool around the edges and aim for mediocrity over the next 4-5 years or else make changes at the foundational level, which means making Lillard and/or McCollum available in the right types of deals.

 

[HolyBackboard]

Which could be the case for all we know....

What would you do if you put yourself as coach? (Besides ask for the forum to submit plays @SlyPokerDog)

1. I would play Vonleh much more than he is now. He deserves time. He is literally our best rebounder (yes even better than Plumlee). And might just be our only hope for the future (if Management/Paul Allen is allergic to trades).

2. Leonard would only come in the game if we needed a good freethrow shooting big man at the end of games or we were looking for 5 three point shooters on the last possession to tie or win a game.

3. I don't know what I would do with Ed Davis but somehow I would try to slap him out of whatever is going on with him. He was a force last year. This year is mind-blowingly bad.

4. Layman would enter the rotation (but not a huge amount of minutes).

5. I would not play Project Pat unless it was blowout one way or another.

6. I would go to Paul Allen and plead for him to get a new big man coach and/or defensive coordinator (preferably both). I would not have a ego about someone else stepping on my toes or getting too much limelight (of course easy to say from the couch).

And I would lose lots. Not because I want to lose just because that is what would likely happen. There is no magic pill that would magically make us a contender BUT I think our team would be better off next year with those two guys (I mentioned) getting minutes.

What are things you would do with our team (as it currently stands) if you were the coach?

Agree on Vonleh. I've been calling for more minutes out of Noah for quite some time now. Also agree with Layman. We need to see if this kid has a future in the NBA.

Lastly, Bazzy needs consistent minutes. He just produces when he gets time.

 

[e_blazer]

That implies that they aren't already doing what they can to "light a fire." I don't think there's much either guy can do to will the team to victory. The team fundamentally lacks talent.

I'd also assume that Olshey and Stotts have constant communication (if they don't, then the franchise is dysfunctional) so they should already know what the other is thinking.

There aren't any quick fixes for a team that's completely unsuited, from a personnel standpoint, to play defense and has very little offensive talent beyond Lillard and McCollum. Barring a super-lucky strike in the draft, the choices are either to retool around the edges and aim for mediocrity over the next 4-5 years or else make changes at the foundational level, which means making Lillard and/or McCollum available in the right types of deals.

It's the same team as last year. You remember, the one that played the Warriors five tough games and showed heart throughout? There's enough talent on this squad to be at least a .500 team. There's nowhere near enough talent to be competitive with the top teams in the league, but this team shouldn't have back-to-back blowout losses to the Magic and Wizards.

 

[e_blazer]

Agree on Vonleh. I've been calling for more minutes out of Noah for quite some time now. Also agree with Layman. We need to see if this kid has a future in the NBA.

Lastly, Bazzy needs consistent minutes. He just produces when he gets time.

All three of those guys have sucked in anything more than brief spurts. Layman had one monster game in garbage time. Vonleh is always one step forward two back. Napier...well, did you watch the second half of today's game?

 

[oldfisherman]

Stotts should halt all bb practices.

And then bring in an Irish Folk dancing instructor.

Watching our players river dance at halftime would be far more entertaining than watching what they are doing now.

And then let the cheerleaders play the game, in tank tops.

 

[Minstrel]

It's the same team as last year. You remember, the one that played the Warriors five tough games and showed heart throughout?

That was a fluke run, in my opinion. Teams often have unsustainable stretches--unfortunately, this one fooled Olshey into thinking the roster was young, good and rising. In fact, it's only young.

There's enough talent on this squad to be at least a .500 team. There's nowhere near enough talent to be competitive with the top teams in the league, but this team shouldn't have back-to-back blowout losses to the Magic and Wizards.

I would say that the team's upper bound is a .500 team, not its expected record. You can't have essentially all bad defenders (except Harkless and Aminu, who are solid but not great defenders) and only two good offensive players and expect even .500. And any sub-.500 team can lose back-to-back blowouts. Athletic performance is subject to variance (or, in other words, playing worse and playing better). When a sub-.500 team plays worse, this is the result. When it plays better, it wins a few in a row.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Make the team fly commercial for the rest of the road trip.

Coffee and private planes are for closers.

 

[Minstrel]

Make the team fly commercial for the rest of the road trip.

Coffee and private planes are for closers.

These guys are rich enough to charter their own planes. You can't get to them just by taking away free snacks!

 

[selloutking]

Make the team fly commercial for the rest of the road trip.

Coffee and private planes are for closers.

 

[e_blazer]

That was a fluke run, in my opinion. Teams often have unsustainable stretches--unfortunately, this one fooled Olshey into thinking the roster was young, good and rising. In fact, it's only young.

I think last season was the upper bound of the team. They played much better defense than they have this year. They played that same kind of defense for the 7 or so games before the Magic game. If they can do it for stretches, then they should be able to do it consistently.

I would say that the team's upper bound is a .500 team, not its expected record. You can't have essentially all bad defenders (except Harkless and Aminu, who are solid but not great defenders) and only two good offensive players and expect even .500. And any sub-.500 team can lose back-to-back blowouts. Athletic performance is subject to variance (or, in other words, playing worse and playing better). When a sub-.500 team plays worse, this is the result. When it plays better, it wins a few in a row.

Every team, even contending teams, has a few head-scratching losses each season. I'm not sure you can find another example anywhere in the league this year, however, that's fallen behind 18-1 and 10-0 in two consecutive games. That's just not being ready to play when the game starts.

 

[Minstrel]

I think last season was the upper bound of the team. They played much better defense than they have this year. They played that same kind of defense for the 7 or so games before the Magic game. If they can do it for stretches, then they should be able to do it consistently.

I don't think that's true at all, unless you subscribe to the theory that defense is all effort and no talent. I certainly don't, not at the NBA level, at least. I think defense requires talent, just like offense--and as with anything that requires talent, consistency is a big part of talent. A less-talented scorer can have a few good scoring games in a row, but that doesn't mean he can do it consistently--because he's not talented enough to do it consistently. When the team is overperforming, yes, they can string some decent defensive performances together. When they're underperforming, they give up 130 points to a Mavericks team that's missing Dirk Nowitzki. Their "real level" lies in the seasonal averages.

 

[e_blazer]

I don't think that's true at all, unless you subscribe to the theory that defense is all effort and no talent. I certainly don't, not at the NBA level, at least. I think defense requires talent, just like offense--and as with anything that requires talent, consistency is a big part of talent. A less-talented scorer can have a few good scoring games in a row, but that doesn't mean he can do it consistently--because he's not talented enough to do it consistently. When the team is overperforming, yes, they can string some decent defensive performances together. When they're underperforming, they give up 130 points to a Mavericks team that's missing Dirk Nowitzki. Their "real level" lies in the seasonal averages.

Does this team have the talent to be a good, or even average defensive team? No. But they've made up for their defensive lapses in the past by being a high-octane offensive team. Last year, they had the 13th best Net Rating in the league (1.03), with an ORtg/A of 109.48 and DRtg/A of 108.45. This year, the team's ORtg/A is up to 110.49, but the DRtg/A is up even more to 112.00, for a NRtg/A of -1.51 (18th in the league). There is absolutely no reason that they can't get back to a NRtg/A going forward of around 108-109. If they do that, they're good enough to be a .500 or better team.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016_ratings.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2017_ratings.html

 

[rasheedfan2005]

id take all my money and buy the worlds driest towel.









so i could dry my balls after i told all the fair weather fans to suck them.