Game #25 Hawks at Raptors Friday Dec 15th 7:30pm on TSN

[Yuri Gagarin]

Agree we need more dogs. That doesnt mean they need to get caught posting gun photos. Even a JYD was able to change the entire tone of a game

[LJ2]

It's a little from both columns. Nurse himself wanted an extension. And Masai/MLSE didn't want him to get one. Is it because MLSE is cheap? Or for some other reason? Like maybe not playing his bench.

But, the highest paid coaches make as much as Dennis Schroeder does. It's not really about the money IMO.

We'll never know. If Washington had been trying to poach Masai for all those years then there's a good chance Philly was doing the same with Nurse. He has a history of being able to make adjustments in playoffs and Philly has a championship roster looking for a coach like that. Mutually beneficial.

[planetmars]

That’s another big myth: why was Nurse fired?

Nurse got fired because he, rightly or wrongly, was trying to force the issue on a contract extension because he didn’t want to go into the next season coaching as a lame duck. The Philly press conference brought things to a head.

Ownership didn’t want to pay top dollar and that’s why we saw an el cheapo rookie coach, just as I had predicted.

It's a little from both columns. Nurse himself wanted an extension. And Masai/MLSE didn't want him to get one. Is it because MLSE is cheap? Or for some other reason? Like maybe not playing his bench.

But, the highest paid coaches make as much as Dennis Schroeder does. It's not really about the money IMO.

[planetmars]

So you admit the coach decides playing time and that effects the on court results?

No I didn't. I said playing time (aka minutes) are mostly dictated by politics.

[Primer]

That playing time stuff is a myth. Minutes are dictated by politics most usually. I mean Nurse got fired for not playing his bench. And now we are. Don't think it made a positive difference.

So you admit the coach decides playing time and that effects the on court results?

[Kagemusha]

That’s another big myth: why was Nurse fired?

Nurse got fired because he, rightly or wrongly, was trying to force the issue on a contract extension because he didn’t want to go into the next season coaching as a lame duck. The Philly press conference brought things to a head.

Ownership didn’t want to pay top dollar and that’s why we saw an el cheapo rookie coach, just as I had predicted.

Well that is weird isn't it.
Money being an issue in coaching, but not on useless bench free agents.

[golden]

That playing time stuff is a myth. Minutes are dictated by politics most usually. I mean Nurse got fired for not playing his bench. And now we are. Don't think it made a positive difference.

That’s another big myth: why was Nurse fired?

Nurse got fired because he, rightly or wrongly, was trying to force the issue on a contract extension because he didn’t want to go into the next season coaching as a lame duck. The Philly press conference brought things to a head.

Ownership didn’t want to pay top dollar and that’s why we saw an el cheapo rookie coach, just as I had predicted.

[planetmars]

Yep. You start with the bench and find guys who are hungrier, who will give effort on D. The biggest lever a coach has to modify behaviour is playing time.

That playing time stuff is a myth. Minutes are dictated by politics most usually. I mean Nurse got fired for not playing his bench. And now we are. Don't think it made a positive difference.

[golden]

These are not kids though.. they are professionals. What does holding them accountable mean? I mean go back to not playing the bench at all? Have them go to bed early without supper?

We can't play like 1/3rd of the team because they are either washed up (Thad, Temple), injured (Koloko, Porter). Or just bad (McDaniels, Dick right now).

Yep. You start with the bench and find guys who are hungrier, who will give effort on D. The biggest lever a coach has to modify behaviour is playing time.

[MixxAOR]

These are not kids though.. they are professionals. What does holding them accountable mean? I mean go back to not playing the bench at all? Have them go to bed early without supper?

We can't play like 1/3rd of the team because they are either washed up (Thad, Temple), injured (Koloko, Porter). Or just bad (McDaniels, Dick right now).

Gentle parenting

[planetmars]

They lose a different way every game. This time they lost the possession game, which is what this team was built for. Losing a different way every game means you don’t have an identity, good or bad, and that’s on the coaching staff to figure out and hold players accountable.

These are not kids though.. they are professionals. What does holding them accountable mean? I mean go back to not playing the bench at all? Have them go to bed early without supper?

We can't play like 1/3rd of the team because they are either washed up (Thad, Temple), injured (Koloko, Porter). Or just bad (McDaniels, Dick right now).

[The Claw Reborn]

Lauri of Chicago and Cleveland had almost comparable DRTG than Porzingis. I think Boston is trying to make it work with the pairing of Kristaps and their superstar Tatum.

With a player like Lauri paired with Scottie’s skill set, sky is the limit for the both of them.

Lauri to Raptors
Third team Picks and trade ballast to Ainge
Pascal to third team

[Primer]

Of course if it increases our chances to get the potential 2025 no.1 draft pick Cooper Flagg.

Otherwise, Ainge can get those picks from the third team, Raps acquire Lauri Markannen, then Pascal going to that third team

Lauri is a great fit to Scottie with his range and rebounding abilities.

Lauri fits better with Scottie than Pascal does but if I'm building around Scottie he's not the ideal fit. A scoring guard is the ideal fit. I'd still take it though, Lauri does the space the floor extremely well, probably play him as a stretch C and just accept our defense won't be that great.

[The Claw Reborn]

Did I not agree to Planetmars that maybe a third team may have to get involved.

Pascal to the third team
Picks and salary ballast to Ainge
Lauri to Raptors

I'd rather have the picks we get for Pascal.

Of course if it increases our chances to get the potential 2025 no.1 draft pick Cooper Flagg.

Otherwise, Ainge can get those picks from the third team, Raps acquire Lauri Markannen, then Pascal going to that third team

Lauri is a great fit to Scottie with his range and rebounding abilities.

[Maury]

There is zero chance Utah wants pascal, free agent or not.