Playing without one of our top 5

[Boris Badenov]

Small samples and the opponents are not apples to apples, but here are some numbers about how we play with our full complement of opening night starters, vs. a different starting lineup or, more interesting, how we play when one of our top 5 guys is out with injury.

With our opening night starting five, we are 7-6 with a +4 differential (104 points scored vs. 100 points given up)

With all of those 5 guys playing but Hayward coming off the bench, we are 0-2 with a -7 (110 vs 117).

With one of those top 5 guys out for injury or other reason, we are 5-2 with a +8 (115 vs 107).

Interesting to see how things change, on both sides of the ball. Our offense seems much better, and defense much worse when we've mixed up the starting lineup.

As examples, the opening night starting 5 lineup has scored more than 110 points in only 3 of 13 games. Our other starting lineups have scored 110+ in 6 of 9.

But, the opening night lineup has held opponents below 105 points 8 times, and any other lineups have done that only 3 times.

I did a quick look and it seems like our opening night group has played against better opponents, somewhat.

[Chris22]

We are better with Smart and Morris starting.

[SHAQATTACK]

The chemistry is finally starting to form for some players .  .....one by one they are falling in line

Hopefully they ll all see other  teamates playing well and establish their own way to contribute.


I like what im seeing from Wiiliams ,  he is an intimidating defense presence, and could be useful to upset other teams closers from getting easy looks at last second game winners.