Rotations

Well, I got this idea from another fan post Back Seat Coahes Unite! The point of the post was sort of, OK you are not happy with what Nate is doing, what would you do?

I took him up on that challenge. admittedly, I ain't no ball coach, but it is fun to think about what I would try if I were in the coaches shoes. So I figured why not, let me put together what I think the rotation ought to look like. Of course, I am not asserting that this has to be what would happen in every game. Basketball is unpredictable to an extent, particularly pro ball as there are so many games. Nothing is set in stone. Foul trouble, folks having hot or cold nights and so on will of course shake the rotation plan up. But in general, if I were to map out the game, this would be what I would go with, let me know your thoughts or ideas of what you would do...

Do the rotations make sense to you? How about Player minutes per game?

Center
1st Qtr Greg first 8 minutes Joel last 4
2nd Qtr Joel first 4 minutes, Greg last 8.
3rd Qtr Greg 1st 8. Joel last 4.
4th Qtr joel 1st 4, Greg last 8.

Starter 32 minutes, Backup 16

Power Forward
1st QTR LMA 1st 10, Cunningham last 2
2nd Qtr Cunningham 1st 4, LMA last 8
3rd Qtr LMA 1st 10, Cunningham last 2
4th Qtr Cunningham 1st 4, LMA last 8

Starter 36 Minutes, backup 12

Small Forward This one really depends on the hot hand
1st Qtr Webster 1st 6 Minutes, Rudy last 6 Minutes
2ndQtr Webster 1st 6 Minutes, Rudy last 6 Minutes
3rdQtr Webster 1st 6 Minutes, Rudy last 6 Minutes
4thQtr Webster 1st 6 Minutes, Rudy last 6 Minutes

Starter 24 minutes, backup 24 minutes

Shooting Guard
1st Qtr Roy 1st 10, Bayless last 2
2nd Qtr Bayless 1st 3, Roy last 9
3rd Qtr Roy 1st 9, Bayless last 3
4th Qtr Bayless 1st 2, Roy last 10

Starter 38 minutes, backup 10 minutes

Point Guard This one is tougher, but matching Miller with Oden Full time seems smart.
1st Qtr Miller 1st 8, Blake last 4
2nd Qtr Blake 1st 4, Miller last 8
3rd Qtr Miller 1st 8, Blake last 4
4th Qtr Blake 1st 4, Miller last 8

Starter 32, backup 16

Deep Bench
Howard as needed due to foul trouble on any of the bigs.

Line Ups:

1st Quarter

12:00 to 6:00 Miller, Roy, Webster, Aldridge, Oden - Establish the paint early, Pick and pop Aaldridge and let Roy take over more as this shift rolls on.

6:00 to 4:00 Miller, Roy, Fernandez, Aldridge, Oden - Work in some 3 pointers and baseline cuts for Rudy, while rooted in Roy plays.

4:00 to 2:00 Blake, Roy, Fernandez, Aldridge, Pryzbilla - Roy all the time everytime.

2:00 - 0:00 Blake, Bayless, Fernandez, Cunningham, Pryzbilla - speed game. High energy to the hoop from the wings stuff, with 3s if they come wide open. Press defense. Energy Energy Energy. I know ending Qtrs can be important, but resting the big 3 is key.

2nd Quarter

12:00 - 9:00 Blake, Bayless, Webster, Cunnignham, Pryzbilla - keep the speed up.

9:00 - 8:00 Blake, Roy, Webster, Cunningham, Pryzbilla - Roy establish control of offense.

8:00 - 6:00 Miller, Roy, Webster, Aldridge, Oden - Control the ball.

6:00 - 0:00 Miller, Roy, Fernandez, Aldridge, Oden - Close this half out. End with strong entries to the post.

3rd Quarter

12:00 to 6:00 Miller, Roy, Webster, Aldridge, Oden - Establish the paint early, Pick and pop Aaldridge and let Roy take over more as this shift rolls on.

6:00 to 4:00 Miller, Roy, Fernandez, Aldridge, Oden - Work in some 3 pointers and baseline cuts for Rudy, while rooted in Roy plays.

4:00 to 3:00 Blake, Roy, Fernandez, Aldridge, Pryzbilla - Roy all the time everytime.

3:00 to 2:00 Blake, Bayless, Fernandez, Aldridge, Pryzbilla

2:00 - 0:00 Blake, Bayless, Fernandez, Cunningham, Pryzbilla - Speed Game. Press and trap defense, transition offense.

4th Quarter

12:00 - 10:00 Blake, Bayless, Webster, Cunnignham, Pryzbilla - keep the speed up.

10:00 - 8:00 Blake, Roy, Webster, Cunningham, Pryzbilla - Roy establish control of offense.

8:00 - 6:00 Miller, Roy, Webster, Aldridge, Oden - Control the ball.

6:00 - 0:00 Miller, Roy, Fernandez, Aldridge, Oden - Close out the game. Ride Roy, work it in the post to keep the defense honest.

Minutes by Player

• Roy - 38
• Aldridge - 36
• Oden - 32
• Miller - 32
• Webster - 24
• Fernandez - 24
• Pryzbilla - 16
• Blake - 16
• Cunningham - 12
• Bayless - 10
• Howard - as needed

General Observations

Bayless has earned more minutes, and I could see the argument that he should get Blakes shifts.  I also know we need him to develop as a point guard, but with Batum and Travis out, moving him to Roy's backup makes sense right now. Roy likes to play with Blake as well, putting him on a completely opposite unit might be to far to go with Roy, at least until he is convinced Miller and he can play together well!

Fernandez may not be ideal as an SF on the defensive end (although he has picked up his defense quite a bit over last season) his game functions a lot like a 3 in Nate's system anyway, hug the 3 point line, cut to the hoop without the ball from time to time.

It might be considered risky to go with no starters for a 4 minute span in a half, but I think it will pay dividends if they bring a high energy game. Most of the guys on that unit are slated for no more than 16 minutes for the entire game so they should be able to out hustle anybody they face, drive the other team crazy with traps and pressing defense. High energy is the key to making this line up successful. their ultimate goal should be to knock the opposing team out of any rhythm while our big 3 get a break and can observe the flow of the game, maybe even have time to put their heads together on the bench to strategize a bit in order to close out the half or the end of a game.

The Rudy, Martell time slots can be flexible too, depending on the flow of the game. What is more imprtant, defending the other teams 3? Offensive spark, extra ball handler?

Of course none of this would be locked in stone, but it feels like a good plan, how is that for couch coaching, back seat coaching or any other kind of not actually coaching coaching!

I know there are a lot of holes in this scheme, poke away!