I agree with what you saying, but I don’t think it’s irrational to start with a theory, try the lineup combination, and then look to see if the lineup data supports the theory.

That’s pretty normal.

What I think Thibs is prone to, though (like in the cases of IQ & the
Precious/OG combo), is the opposite: if he believes something won’t work but the lineup data says it does work, he’ll ignore the data.

Thibs claims to rely on lineup data, btw, but really he just uses it when it confirms his own biases. Lineup data always suggested Quickley fit better with the starters than RJ, for instance, but he always ignored it bc RJ was bigger.

I agree with what you saying, but I don’t think it’s irrational to start with a theory, try the lineup combination, and then look to see if the lineup data supports the theory.

I’m a big “fit the pieces together” guy. I probably put too much weight on that. I like to look at the lineup data also. The problem with the lineup data is small samples and opposition. But if you can make a logical basketball case for why players X and Y should fit together and then you see it working, I think you can be more confident than if it’s just a theory or just lineup data.

All that said, imo Quickley should have started over RJ. I still think there were some politics involved in keeping RJ in the starting lineup.

Thibs claims to rely on lineup data, btw, but really he just uses it when it confirms his own biases. Lineup data always suggested Quickley fit better with the starters than RJ, for instance, but he always ignored it bc RJ was bigger.

My guess then is that it doesn’t matter how dominant the data is for OG and Precious. If Thibs doesn’t like it, he’ll rationalize it away.

His other stats may be the same, but at per 36 numbers of 6 rebs and 1.6 asts, the rest of his game was always lacking.

Maybe he has enough value being kind of big and being able to shoot, but personally I think we’re going to be disappointed in the result.

https://x.com/hoopmixonly/status/1835698920422261144?s=46&t=0wqff4cNt-sCGcDs-uMExw

feels like win right now mode…

season subtractions: isaiah

season additions: kolek, huk (perhaps), payne, mook, kbd, and oh yeah – mikal bridges…

kept OG…kept precious…

hopefully have a healthy julius and mitch for most of the season (the latter half if need be)…

we really need thibs to continue to adapt, particularly in regards to player health…thibs is going to have to trust his bench more than he every has…i’d be curious to see what the most bench minutes played by a thibs team has been in the past…

he needs to focus the bench on being out there each game…run it 10 deep, as long as possible…with frank, elf, evian, and a million other washed players on the bench – you gotta tighten up the rotation…made sense at the time, now the front office has successfully addressed that situation…

you can flash player injury stats all you want, and yes it is possible for teams to come back from double digits, and that is why you have a deep team…don’t wear out the guys at the top…trust the bench…

our starters our great, but – we should really excel with our second unit…

hopefully the message was sent, again and again and again, and is being relayed at this very moment – save player minutes whenever you can – everyone has been paid, or will be paid – no need to pad star player stats (well, maybe a little bit for any “awards/honors”, okay, that happens, not this year though)…

everyone starting should be on board with spending quality time on the bench, let them start each half, and finish the game…

figure out a way to sit: jalen, mikal, OG and julius for 7 or so minutes a half…hopefully we finish the season with no one averaging more than 34 minutes a game…

let’s see if that helps…as the season goes on, maybe sit some guys on back to back games and travel situations…

He doesn’t seem like a terrible guy at the end of the bench though.