I'll agree with that. I always thought that this team got by not b/c they were so talented, but b/c they maximized their talent in an intelligent and effective way. Rip after being at the "state fair" continued where he left off. It's telling that the bench even shooting that low of % get to the FT line and score enough PIP to outscore the Knicks.

But the need for a 4th big is pretty glaring too (if only as a band aid to our problems). Sheed is not Ben, and he doesn't want to be. We need a banger in the post. Or we need to play Amir and go a little more up tempo.

Something has to be done at the trading deadline.

And on a side note, Stuckey looks worse every game.

that was a scary game. Scary, because it reminded me of Detroit's poor play in the ECF against the Cavs last year. If the jumpshots don't fall, this team and its coach have absolutely no clue what to do.
Flip has a real problem if the starters can't get it done. Stuckey is still not ready to provide the spark off the bench many expected.
I'd love to see Flip try some adjustments, like benching Tay, who really has been in a slump for weeks. Just sending out messages. Try some stuff.
This team has been great this far, now is the ideal time to get prepared for the playoffs. I really don't want no other great season to see it ending the same way as last year. This team basically is good enough for a championship. The roster is awesome and JoeD has alot of trade material if JoeD thinks we need a slasher or a big. If the roster remains as it is, fine, the coach has tons of options. Herrmann has shown he can guard Nowitzki.
Afflalo and Stuckey can penetrate. JMax is getting doubled. Brezec can be solid. AJ is still a question mark but he surely doesn't hurt tha team.

With all these players, it should be possible to vary the rotations given the opponent. Get rid of the "starters get it done, bench tries not to give up too much of the lead"- attitude and this won't happen again.

__________________
I'm a wannabe- GM, but I stand to it.

This one was lost at exactly 4 minutes into the 2nd quarter, when Flip Saunders started subbing his starters back in. The starters who desperately needed some rest. On a 4th game in 5 nights, Flip Saunders still can't understand that he needs to go deep into the bench for the 2nd quarter. Pretty pathetic coaching.


Amir Johnson was our hero tonight, making a conventional 3 point play to give us our 65 point total, keeping us out of the record books for fewest points scored in franchise history.


Between Rip and Tay, they made one shot tonight. Pretty much 100% long range shots. I think Flip must have told them anything within 18 feet of the basket was called the forbidden zone. And they listened, avoiding the paint area like the plague.


Dyess got some rebounds, and made some shots. But his outside shooting really does not help us any. Somebody who could run down and impede Curry from getting right to the lane would have been more helpful.


Billups hit a few outside shots. But it looks like the team thinks that makes it ok for them to just shoot outside shots. Billups has to set the tone, and drive inside more to start games. Its ok to take the outside shot on occasion, but you can really go overboard on it.


None of our bench did any good. Bad shooting from everyone, including Hayes. The closest thing Flip did to an "adjustment" was to bring in Fabio about mid 3rd quarter, after we were way, way behind. We played a unit featuring Hayes at shooting guard for the first time this season. Thats Billups, Hayes, Fabio, Maxiell, Dyess. How slow a unit can one concoct? It would be hard for any coach to put a worse unit on the floor. I am sure Flip will keep trying though.


So we played a game with a bench, due to little playing time of late, was not much good, and a group of starters that were too tired to play. It did not have to be this way. We have a very deep team, with never any excuse to overplay anyone. Someone needs to either tell this to Saunders, or fire the guy.

I agree his performance has fallen off since his hand was re-injured.

Stuckey is playing hurt. I don't know how bad his ankle is bothering him but his hand is probably a lot worse than the press has let out.

Then he needs to sit. I know we want to get him acclimated, but those injuries are clearly bothering him. Let him rest and recuperate, and not risk further injury.

It started when he got some real full-contact practice time with the team. It's like Flip was keeping it simple at first, running pick and rolls, etc, and Stuckey was clicking right away. Then Stuckey got in a practice, and Flip started implementing his playbook. Now all he does is dribble the ball up the court and pass around the perimeter looking for an iso, or some idiotic high-post flex offense garbage. He only gets to his strength (breaking down the D off the dribble) in late clock situations.

I could write a book on what I don't like about Flip Saunders as a coach.

Why don't you.

I am sure you would sell a few. I am sure Glen Taylor would be first in line for a copy.

You're right. Distinct rumors of a trade going down.

Trade one of the so called best starting five in basketball for somebody who is not afraid to drive, penetrate, slash or get in the paint when necessary..maybe Zeke will give us Jamal before he is fired. Does Letrell Sprewell need any more money to feed them kids? We could hire him as a coach to show how its done

I don't believe that it is a matter of fear, but a matter of lack of ability. No one wants to keep trying to do something in front of thousands of people that they can't do very well and wind up looking terrible in the process.