Back to topic, I think it's really less to do with who starts than who gets the most minutes. And in terms of that, I'd suggest it would be like a "horses for courses" type selection that would depend on matchups. E.g. for a team like Philly where they will run more post ups than anyone else in the league Kanter would probably be the main guy to try to negate that. But for others in the league that live on P&R then Theis and GWill are pretty solid defenders as they can switch on to guards and wings. If there's a team that attacks the rim a lot then we'll have someone like Timelord. It probably doesn't make sense to start GWill and Timelord together when they contribute very little to nothing offensively and their inability to stretch the floor will make it harder for Gordon and Jaylen to attack the basket the way they've been doing so this year. At least Theis can pick and pop.
I guess you already forgot Timelord Alley hoop dunk threat. Tip ins. Getting an actual offensive rebound. Cant believe folks actually think Theis is better than Timelord.. he has more experience and sometimes can make an open 3. Thats it.
Gwill and Timelord havent shown much on offense because Stevens creates zero plays for them. And the other players dont pass the ball
They are young/rookies. But not zero offensive players.
I agree with absolutely nothing you wrote here, triboy, except the bolded. Timelord and Grant are young.
Theis is a much better player than Timelord. You mention Timelord's alleys and tip ins. That and putting back the occasional offensive rebound is about the only thing he does offensively. TL has made 33 FGs, 25 of which were layups or dunks. He has 6 FGs from 3-10 feet and 2 FGs from 16-23 feet. And, TL is a terrible FT shooter.
Theis meanwhile scores and shoots well from basically all distances and the FT line. Theis has better honed passing skills. He is almost as good as TL on the offensive boards, as a rebounder as a whole and has been racking up blocks at a very similar rate as Williams. He also knows the defense better, plays much, much better team defense and has shown to be much less likely to have brain farts, leave his man chasing blocks or missing switches. Theis is just a smarter player.
Simply put, whether by eye test or stats, Theis has been a better player than Williams this year. Now, Theis is what he is. Timelord has a much higher ceiling if he develops more, so Williams could eventually become better than Theis, but he isn't a better player now.
The Williams boys haven't shown much on offense because they are not very good offensive players, not because Stevens doesn't run offense for them. Heck, often both Williams' are involved in Stevens three man weave on offense while Brown, Tatum and other much better offensive players sit in the corner being a decoy.
TL's offense I have discussed. He is extremely limited to offense within 10 feet of the basket without any real post game. Grant is a terrible outside shooter and because of his lack of size, length and jumping ability is a major liability as a post scorer as he gets swallowed up. Neither can create offense for themselves.
Both players derive their offense with over 71% of their FGs being assisted. Both have usage rates over 12%. So people are passing to them when they are on the floor and they are getting decent touches. They simply are the 5th option on offense or 4th and 5th options when on the court together because they are the worst offensive players on the court.
Putting either Williams into the starting lineup is a terrible move. Putting both in the starting lineup while benching Theis and Brown, who is playing like an All-Star, is lunacy that might lose Stevens the locker room and his job.
Topic: Brad Stevens should change the rotation - make it functional (Read 8528 times)