But specific to your example, I s’pose “progression” would technically be fine. It probably doesn’t sound right because it is not often used that way.

Hart is shooting and passing less than when he got here and is currently at the lowest usage of his career. The only thing not down is 3pt attempts because he is in the stand-in-the-corner role that was Obi’s. IHart does half of the things he did in LA and is honestly probably leaving some real potential on the shelf so he can stick to his “role”.

You could see it with Obi from his rookie year to his third year he seemed less and less empowered to attempt anything short of a three in the corner or a surefire open layup or dunk. I’ve watched him in Indiana and he is still struggling to break the habits he learned here and take chances on offense and mainly just passes the ball, runs the break, and shoots 3s. Whether you think Obi is a good player or a bad player when he was a rookie he attacked the basket, posted up, and showed a much more varied offensive repertoire. Thibs put a quick end to that and forced him to stay in his lane or ride the bench.

usage (mins) with brunson, randle, & rj in 22-23:

all 3: 12.5% (863)
2 of 3: 13.6% (657)
1 of 3: 17.6% (431)
0 of 3: 22.4% (140)

the starting five looks a little out of sorts in terms of spacing. it’s only been four games. in the hawks’ game, grimes and randle in particular had a couple of snarky exchanges about who was supposed to be where.

tell me what you think you can conclude in 16 and 6 min samples…

Answered in the post itself.

But it does show, contrary to your claim, that Grimes rarely has a chance to show more and that the difference in Donte & Grimes usages could be explained by who they play with.

when Herring writes his book about this era the title will likely be

Party in the Mezzanine