actually, not today. But, in some of the close games that people were upset, most of all the Toronto game, yeah, it would have made a difference, a big difference probably. But you probably don't really want to have a real discussion, but rather have people argue with you. Great post(sarcasm)

You know this kind of game wasn't Joel's, and he shouldn't have been in.  However, other games he really could have made a difference.

Pryz was struggling in his first stint in the game today.  Seemed like he was being laxidasical (sp?) when it came to pulling in boards and would often let a defender rip/tip it out of his hands.  I wasnt happy with his play at all to start out the game.  

In the previous games tho, he did have a strong impact, so you could have argued for him to be in the game late.  Yet I dont think you could have done it today.  

NATE - as far as nate went I was happy to see that nate did adjust his substitutions to fit more with the flow of the game today.  He put in Sergio and not Jack in the 4th with Roy bc Sergio had a decent first half.  Nate kept the cold players from getting huge minutes while rewarding those who were playing well which is a sharp contrast to earlier in the season.  

As mentioned though, Atlanta was hitting everything from the outside.  When Joel was out of the game, they started making layups.

This game was a bit different because we were trying to make a comeback.  The game against Toronto on the other hand, would have been won if we could have made just one or two defensive stops, and Joel could have provided that.

....and whether Channing Frye and/or LMA are ready to step up and play the post.

What I like is how one big come-from-behind victory makes the super-fans go rabid against the critics.

t

and it's painfully obvious why. Outside of a few games, Joel is such a liability on offense - he fumbles passes, bricks layups, and can't pass when the defense collapses on him. Don't be surprised to see Frye starting soon and Joel going to the white unit.

Earlier this year I was advocating more Joel, but the more I watch, the more I'm convinced I was wrong. Nate and the coaches can see it, but as fans we tend to look at players through rose-colored glasses.

Playing "4 on 5 offense" with Joel is not a matter of firepower. The offense initiates with Roy. The other teams have figured out that if you double Roy by leaving Pryz open, Brandon has trouble initiating the offense, and they don't have to worry about Joel as a scoring threat. Combine this with the fact that Blake's shooting has cooled off and sometimes it's 3 guys on Roy. Not good.

With Frye in the game, he can hit the uncontested mid-range jumper, so Roy can make them pay for the double- or triple-team by finding Frye.

I mean, let's face it, when Oden is ready, Joel is coming off the bench anyway. It's actually a good role for him.