Donte

As rusty as Donte looked today, he sure was better than Jt or Wright playing the 3. Theres something ironic about seeing JT block a shot, then scrambling out to the 3 point line to guard his man.
 
i honestly don't know what's going on with this team! donte starts the first game and doesnt play at all until last night, then he gets named the starter the next day? Westphal complains that the team isn't playing with consistency and gee, i wonder why that is. JT starts at the 3 and only plays 12 minutes? No wonder this team is so out of sync. I have an idea, stick with a starting lineup and rotation for more than 2 games and im sure we'll start turning things around.
 
It's good news that Donte is getting the start, but the whole "foreseeable future" phrase probably means 2-3 games for Westphal. I don't mind Head starting because he atleast plays some sort of defense, so he can stay put I suppose. I just hope that I don't see Donte getting pulled out of the game the first time he turns it over or takes a questionable shot. The coach really needs to just let him play and learn on the fly, that's the only way he is going to improve.
 
ReinadelosReys said:
Donte back in the starting line up for the "foreseeable future"

http://twitter.com/mr_jasonjones/status/5382998211952640

....Along with Luther Head
Click to expand...

Yeah, I called for that in the wacky rotations thread. For once an experiment I want to see. I think it could work to shore up the defense and might have just enough ball movement and offensive options to get us by.

this whole thing really just once agin underscore the Coach-driven anarchy we've had going though. All the specualtion about what did Donte do etc. etc. and it seems fairly clearly revealed now that Donte didn't do anything other than fall victim to stupid experimentation by a coach who doesn't seem to have any clue what he wants to do here.
 
Honestly, with the way Beno has been defending, this might be the best defensive lineup we can throw out there to start a game. Of course throwing Cousins in there at the 4 is up for debate.

Head
Tyreke
Greene
Landry
Dally
 
Indecisive coach experimenting with the lineup, and not only experimenting with the lineups but experimenting with the players confidence, players trust, players minds, and the organization...

Donte disappears then returns and now starts?? So what happens to Casspi now? Beno???
 
To keep the discussion non-fractured I'm going to merge this with the main Donte thread, and then alter that title to mention it.
 
Larry89 said:
Indecisive coach experimenting with the lineup, and not only experimenting with the lineups but experimenting with the players confidence, players trust, players minds, and the organization...

Donte disappears then returns and now starts?? So what happens to Casspi now? Beno???
Click to expand...
Yeah I brought that up yesterday. While I don't have any problems with this lineup, I strongly disagree with the path taken to get here. Beno and Omri cannot be happy.

Now Beno hasn't defended well at all, and I don't think coach is happy with Omri's quick trigger. But this stll isn't good for confidence or chemistry in the lockerroom. How does Omri feel now having his spot taken by a backup pf/c, and the 12th man on the bench just 2 days ago?
 
I really like this line up defensively but Id rather have Garcia over Head. Anyway we are already doing horrible, we cant get any worse than that...
 
While I don't really care for Head in the starting line-up, it's less bothersome for me if Tyreke handles the ball... Glad Donte Greene is back, I dont really care who starts between he and Casspi as long as PW lets them control the SF positions - but PW saw Greene plays solid D, seems he forgot as much.
 
I'm all for donte starting, but must admit...going from 5 straight DNPs straight into the starting line-up is pretty LOL. Paul might be losing it.
 
Listening to Westphal today on KHTK it looks like Donte's benching was a disciplinary move. Westphal addressed giving playing time as a reward, and reducing playing time if players weren't doing the things asked of them. I think he had Donte specifically in mind here as his playing time has been so erratic this season. Hopefully, this matter is behind him, and coach can begin to get Donte involved in the rotation. Good things will happen, he's too talented to be wallowing on the bench!
 
Sigh.. our players aren't dogs and Westphal isn't the owner!!! The team is hanging in the balance and playing these lineups is going to make us lose our only team.
 
Overall I completly agree, Donte should start.

But you gotta question the way PW does his work.. I mean how does the players feel? not only Omri and Donte, but everyone else looking from the side on this.

This will either have horrible effect on the players, or fantastic effect and make them stronger and better.. cause I mean for every bad game now you can possibly be DNP.... + side is we can see who can stand the pressure and who can bring it every night.. but knowing our players we'll be changing the lineup quite a bit during season if thats how it's gonna be.
 
Last edited:
Larry89 said:
Indecisive coach experimenting with the lineup, and not only experimenting with the lineups but experimenting with the players confidence, players trust, players minds, and the organization...

Donte disappears then returns and now starts?? So what happens to Casspi now? Beno???
Click to expand...

The reverse could also be stated. The players' inconsistencies are toying with the coaches' and fans' confidence and trust. What is he supposed to do? Stay with the same failing team that is losing? If he did, you would be screaming for him to do something about changing what isn't working.
 
Showtime said:
The reverse could also be stated. The players' inconsistencies are toying with the coaches' and fans' confidence and trust. What is he supposed to do? Stay with the same failing team that is losing? If he did, you would be screaming for him to do something about changing what isn't working.
Click to expand...

i think i posted the same thing in another thread. it feels that some people are complaining just to complain. i know this is a forum and you can speak your mind, but some people just dont make sense. if something is working and westphal changes it i understand, but we're on a losing streak (to bad teams). making a lineup change that puts in defensive players at their natural positions is a bad thing???
 
Donte Greene;Donte Greene said:
“Yeah, I have to admit that I wasn’t working as hard as I should have been.
Click to expand...

From the man himself. Looks like the benching was supposed to send a message. Whether or not that was the best way of communication is another issue entirely.
 
Only real "logic" I can see here is that players are asked to fill specific roles. they are expected to play that role and excel at it. If they under-perform or attempt to play out of the role, they risk indefinite benching (i.e., being taken out of the rotation). For young players, it's a no-nonsense approach to discipline and to emphasizing team-ball first. Not saying I agree with it, but it is the only way to make logic out of what has clearly seemed illogical at times.
 
Not having inside info on the why's and why nots, one can only make educated guesses on the whats going on with the team. But let me address something else. Some have commented on the inconsistency of the players as the reason for the constant juggling of the lineups. Really! How many games have we played so far? And, how many different starting lineups have we had? How many rotations have we at least seemed to have? Can you honestly tell me that you can throw a lineup out there for a couple of games and make a decision on how good they're going to be 20 or 30 games down the road.

If you have an established player like a Landry with a track record to go on, then your likely to be more patient with that player. I mean if a Chris Webber goes 2 for 22 one night, or a Timmy Hardaway goes 1 for 21, your not going to bench them because you know its an apparition. You know that the next night they'll likely be back to their normal shooting abilities. With young players you don't have that luxury. Your shooting arrows into the air and hoping some hit the target. What I'm saying is that with young players you have to be more patient and more understanding. Where a veteran player will likely bounce back the next game, a young player might take 5 games or more to recover.

As a head coach you have to make the best decision you can about whom to start and then plug that player in and stick with him. Through the good and the bad. Don't play head games with him. As long as he's busting his butt out there. As long as he's giving his best effort, then let him go through the experience and learn. You can always lengthen or shorten the minutes depending on how he's playing in any given game. Trust me, players know when they're not playing well, and they're not likely to ***** too much when they're pulled out of the game. But please! Stop jerking around the entire team. Settle on the starters and settle on the rotations. And then have the guts to stick with it. All any player wants to know is what his roll is. As for my starting lineup, and the first man off the bench as the backup.

C: Dalembert/Cousins
PF: Landry/Thompson
SF: Greene/Casspi
SG: Head/Garcia
PG: Evans/Beno

I would Jackson fill in at either PF or Center as needed due to foul trouble, or in the event someone just isn't playing that well on a given night.
I would suit up Jetter and if Beno or Head or anyone at the guard position isn't playing well or is in foul trouble, or if the team in general seems to need a shot of energy, then I give him some playing time. This starting lineup isn't the strongest offensive lineup, but if Head improves him shot selection, I think he along with Evans and Landry can provide enough. If not, then you get Cousins into the game a little earlier than planned.
 
Last edited:
bajaden said:
C: Dalembert/Cousins
PF: Landry/Thompson
SF: Greene/Casspi
SG: Head/Garcia
PG: Evans/Beno
Click to expand...


I agree with this except I'd pull Head out of the rotation and make it a 9 man rotation. There is no reason anyone in that group should be averaging less than 22 minutes.

I don't mind if Westphal wants to tweak starters, bench combos, and minutes a little here and there, but he's got to keep those 9 guys playing consistently. The tragedy has been giving Jackson, Wright, and Head minutes. Those 3 should simply not be on the floor unless there is an injury, foul trouble, or in garbage time.
 
sidney said:
I agree with this except I'd pull Head out of the rotation and make it a 9 man rotation. There is no reason anyone in that group should be averaging less than 22 minutes.

I don't mind if Westphal wants to tweak starters, bench combos, and minutes a little here and there, but he's got to keep those 9 guys playing consistently. The tragedy has been giving Jackson, Wright, and Head minutes. Those 3 should simply not be on the floor unless there is an injury, foul trouble, or in garbage time.
Click to expand...

^^ Cosign that.
 
:D
bajaden said:
Not having inside info on the why's and why nots, one can only make educated guesses on the whats going on with the team. But let me address something else. Some have commented on the inconsistency of the players as the reason for the constant juggling of the lineups. Really! How many games have we played so far? And, how many different starting lineups have we had? How many rotations have we at least seemed to have? Can you honestly tell me that you can throw a lineup out there for a couple of games and make a decision on how good they're going to be 20 or 30 games down the road.

If you have an established player like a Landry with a track record to go on, then your likely to be more patient with that player. I mean if a Chris Webber goes 2 for 22 one night, or a Timmy Hardaway goes 1 for 21, your not going to bench them because you know its an apparition. You know that the next night they'll likely be back to their normal shooting abilities. With young players you don't have that luxury. Your shooting arrows into the air and hoping some hit the target. What I'm saying is that with young players you have to be more patient and more understanding. Where a veteran player will likely bounce back the next game, a young player might take 5 games or more to recover.

As a head coach you have to make the best decision you can about whom to start and then plug that player in and stick with him. Through the good and the bad. Don't play head games with him. As long as he's busting his butt out there. As long as he's giving his best effort, then let him go through the experience and learn. You can always lengthen or shorten the minutes depending on how he's playing in any given game. Trust me, players know when they're not playing well, and they're not likely to ***** too much when they're pulled out of the game. But please! Stop jerking around the entire team. Settle on the starters and settle on the rotations. And then have the guts to stick with it. All any player wants to know is what his roll is. As for my starting lineup, and the first man off the bench as the backup.

C: Dalembert/Cousins
PF: Landry/Thompson
SF: Greene/Casspi
SF: Head/Garcia
PF: Evans/Beno

I would Jackson fill in at either PF or Center as needed due to foul trouble, or in the event someone just isn't playing that well on a given night.
I would suit up Jetter and if Beno or Head or anyone at the guard position isn't playing well or is in foul trouble, or if the team in general seems to need a shot of energy, then I give him some playing time. This starting lineup isn't the strongest offensive lineup, but if Head improves him shot selection, I think he along with Evans and Landry can provide enough. If not, then you get Cousins into the game a little earlier than planned.
Click to expand...

Now who's talking about putting players at different postions? You're putting Evans and Beno at the power forward postion?:D And you want those guys to rotate in with Landry and Thompson? :D See, this is how Westphal gets confused; it's those typos that will get you every time!:D

So I take it you're done with the Beno/Tyreke backcourt then?

I think Casspi should be relegated to doghouse now; just have Garcia play the backup three, though his shooting has been atrocious lately.
 
Last edited:
Are you kidding me? why on earth would you want Casspi to go to the doghouse and DNP-zone for? I mean he didn't play good, but from there to the picture some of you guys are setting is just absurd, he didn't play THAT bad, not even close - he was his normal inconsistent-self just like the majority of the team that means some good games and some bad games...get some proportions will ya.

Just cause Westphall set the standarts that it's either doghouse or glory doesn't mean it became a must or that we need to follow it and adapt it.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Y
[Rumor] Warriors could acquire $36 million Kings forward via win-now Jonathan Kuminga swap
Replies
3
Views
287
Tetsujin
Tetsujin
S
[Trade] New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends Jaylen Brown to Sacramento, Hawks Get Key Celtics Reserve
Replies
6
Views
360
Joshyjosh31
J
Tetsujin
  • Locked
  • Poll Poll
[Game] Kings vs. Timberwolves 10/24/2024 7pm Pacific 10pm Eastern
18 19 20
Replies
574
Views
15K
joemama
J
twslam07
  • Poll Poll
“THE” Trade Deadline Move to Make…
2 3 4
Replies
110
Views
9K
The_Jamal
T
Spike
  • Poll Poll
NBA Power Rankings, Week of 11/28
Replies
0
Views
200
Spike
Spike
Back
Top