- Thread starter
- #341
Montalban
Well-Known Member
Pachulia is really just a necessary tool so that KD, Draymond, etc. don't have to take unnecessary punishment during the regular season. It's the reason I also said the Cavs were making a huge mistake by playing Love at the 5 to start the season instead of Tristan. While he's better there when they absolutely need to go to that lineup and possibly in the playoffs, it doesn't make sense in the regular season. Even if it wasn't Pachulia, I would definitely want McGee, Looney, or Bell to get those minutes at the 5 instead of Casspi. Because again it puts unnecessary duress on both KD and Durant to guard bigger bodies for more minutes.
Bell I think has shown that he's a more than capable player and a guy deserving of minutes. My only contention is that he's still very much in puppy mode. He's not really disciplined yet on defense. The other game against the Bulls, he had a couple blocks but ran out on a three point shooter. The guy just gave a simple pump fake and Bell went flying over him and landed on top of him instead of doing a solid close out. Things like that will have to be learned.
I'm wholeheartedly agree with you on Pachulia who's been frustrating, but at this point he's a necessary cog. I'm fine with him getting his 12 minutes a game to start both halves. But IMO, I think Javale should be cut out of the 2nd string role and that be given to Bell. So you have Pachulia to start 1st, Bell 2nd string, West starts the 2nd quarter and either Bell or Looney get those last minutes in the 2nd quarter. Second half would be a bit different as you would probably go small if need be the second half of the 4th quarter with the Death Lineup.
Neither are the other guys on the team, at least not this season. So he fits right in.Pachulia is really just a necessary tool so that KD, Draymond, etc. don't have to take unnecessary punishment during the regular season. It's the reason I also said the Cavs were making a huge mistake by playing Love at the 5 to start the season instead of Tristan. While he's better there when they absolutely need to go to that lineup and possibly in the playoffs, it doesn't make sense in the regular season. Even if it wasn't Pachulia, I would definitely want McGee, Looney, or Bell to get those minutes at the 5 instead of Casspi. Because again it puts unnecessary duress on both KD and Durant to guard bigger bodies for more minutes.
Bell I think has shown that he's a more than capable player and a guy deserving of minutes. My only contention is that he's still very much in puppy mode. He's not really disciplined yet on defense. The other game against the Bulls, he had a couple blocks but ran out on a three point shooter. The guy just gave a simple pump fake and Bell went flying over him and landed on top of him instead of doing a solid close out. Things like that will have to be learned.
I'm wholeheartedly agree with you on Pachulia who's been frustrating, but at this point he's a necessary cog. I'm fine with him getting his 12 minutes a game to start both halves. But IMO, I think Javale should be cut out of the 2nd string role and that be given to Bell. So you have Pachulia to start 1st, Bell 2nd string, West starts the 2nd quarter and either Bell or Looney get those last minutes in the 2nd quarter. Second half would be a bit different as you would probably go small if need be the second half of the 4th quarter with the Death Lineup.