Balancing the First and Second Units

[SacTownKid]

Not sure if it was mentioned but I'm pretty sure this was the 1st time all season where DeRozan was not primarily in with the bench unit ... Meaning w/ Fox here, they would go out w/ 6 min left and then reenter with 2 min left in 1st Q give or take to play majority of time with bench unit. But tonight I believe DeRozan stayed in there until 2-3 min left in the 1st & instead Lavine & Murray entered with the bench unit w/ Valincunis. Thinking theoretically makes sense to pair Jonas with more shooters.

It is a smart change to stagger DeRozan and Valincunis and play DeRozan more w/ a spacing center like Sabonis. But I do wonder why they didn't do this before? In my opinion the "bench" (be it Len, Lyles, Jones, etc.) has been used a scapegoat a lot when much of the time in reality in was Fox/DeRozan running isos and crappy sets when they were in, which stalled the offense. The bench unit / subs have sucked all year , yet NOW they finally sub DeRozan in/out differently? Was interesting.

Yeah, LaVine was in there with the bench guys.

 

[sono]

It was noticeable Domas was trying to increase the pace while dribbling from the backcourt for the last two games. Our offensive flow was nonexistent when the ball slowed/stopped giving the opposing defense to settle. Perhaps Deebo off the bench and in crunch time could work.
If the offense clicks, it should counterbalance some defensive collapses.

 

[Keegan Clark]

I wonder what a distribution like this would look? Still giving the big contracts the lions share, but working in solid minutes for young defensive talent.

Monk 34
Lavine 32
Demar 32
Keegan 34
Domas 32

Keon 22
LaRavia 18
JV 16
Trey 10
Carter 10

Keeping Keegan at 34, and Keon at 22 gives some good overlap between them for defense. We can have our offensive death lineup (starters), but then you can have your defensive death lineup:

Carter
Keon
LaRavia
Keegan
JV (not amazing defender, but can hide him a bit with the rest)

That puts 4 defenders on the court, all of which are capable of knocking down a 3. Shot creation could be the issue with this lineup, but you could bring either of Monk/Lavine in place of Carter for a downhill threat. If teams try to run us off the 3, Keegs has shown he can get downhill, too.

 

[jiimbob]

As I don’t get the exposure to Kings play as most of you and there appears to be a need for a backup facilitator behind Monk, a question.
Does Carter or Ellis show more natural ability to fill that need. Both obviously top talent defenders, Ellis is bigger and can hit his shots. Carter Im a bit concerned about right now unless he can develop into a reliable bench lead guard.
As there are only so many minutes to go around, ideally at least one of them could step in to the roll instead of looking for another option.