Man Im so hyped on this season and even more so after the 1st pre season game. My biggest take: Its not Paul and Harden but Paul and Gordon against the other team's bench that will dismantle other teams. Both strong defenders and Gordon is a spot up gawd, that can penetrate and create. Like an improved Klay thompson with the best shot creator in the leauge. Harden and Paul will make it difficult on every starting 5, then the stars will rest and we will have the death line up with Harden resting on the bench. Paul, Gordon, Ariza, fresh prince and PJ Tucker/Capela. A defensive monster that will shoot lights out. Harden will show up end of 2nd to finish it off.
I think we have different definitions of death line up harden will definitely be on the court down the stretch of a game. Anyway, good thing is we can run several combinations out there including very small ball 5 with Moute or Ariza at the C position. Will be interesting
I like you're thinking. But you appear to be saying Ryno will barely play. If it's anything like the rotation last year (and last night), Ariza will track 1st Half minutes with Harden, and Ryno will match Paul's minutes. EGo will bridge the two. That is: MDA doesn't rest Ariza with Paul to leave Ryno out there playing defense with Harden. So, it goes like this (and this is what happened last night) EGo replaces Paul early aroud 7 or 6 minute mark Ryno sits with Paul Ariza stays in with HardenPaul replaces Harden around 2 minute mark of 1st Q Ryno returns with Paul Ariza rests with Harden Gordon stays in From there, that Paul, Gordon and Ryno lineup will play for about 6-8 minutes together without Harden, Ariza and Capela ... from late 1st to mid 2nd.
Ok I get why you align Ryno with Paul and not Harden, and why to align Ariza with Harden but i really like Ryno together with Harden, they have a great pickNpop moves and good chemistry together. I'm talking exactly for the end of first start of second, or start of 4th when I'd like to see that defensive small ball lineup against the other team's bench. Especially that Paul&Gordon combo to tear it apart. Also would like to see Paul, Gordon and Harden play together in the pre season games, see how it looks with Harden on the wing.
Hey, I'm just presenting what we did when Harden rested last year, and what we did in 1st preseason game. Ariza will not be in the bench lineup as Harden rests; Ryno will. Ryno, as starter, obviously plays a lot of minutes with Harden, still. We'll see this in the 4th Q, for sure. We might see some in the 1st, if Paul stays in longer to begin the game. But for regular season, MDA is striving to reduce Paul and Harden's minutes. We'll see it enough that come playoff time, we will be ready to extend the minutes of that potent 3-Guard lineup.
I want to see the 'Maul Ball' lineup: C - Nene PF - Zhou SF - Tucker SG - Moute or Harden PG - Gordon or Harden I'm pretty sure they'd just run right over/through their defenders. Zhou is skinny but he takes up a lot of space near the basket.
I love what Harden and Paul can you separately, it's crazy we can stagger their minutes so our offense doesn't suffer Gordon is the key though he plays really well with both
You are right and I'm sure it will be tweaked even further depending on match ups. But I still think this is not the final roster.
Maybe a bit but not by far. Kley is one of the best spot-up shooters in the leauge and a decent defender (although a bit overated in my eyes). Gordon not only can shoot but he can handle the ball, draw fouls and create, and really is an underated defender. I think that his versatility gives him an edge over Kley.
Having CP3 on this team it self should make everyone excited, the guy is the probably one of the best floor managers the game has ever seen.
Actually he's not, our offense is based on scoring in 6 seconds or less. Melo has to massage the ball for at least 6 seconds himself before he shoots. He would slow down our offense dramatically.
No if he’s open he’ll shoot quickly. He’s also far more versatile than our current starting PF. We missed out on a big piece
