Nick has improved with his adjustments as each series has gone on.
First round didn't need much adjusting, the talent disparity was too big, but he also never made the right call going to Gasol on Vucevic full time. Magic would have been dead in the water immediately with that move. But, as noted, didn't matter, Raptors were way too good.
Second round, key matchup drove that series. Gasol should have been on Embiid the whole time. Hard matched in game 5, killed them, thought he had it figured out, but then he went away from it in game 6 and it fell apart. Went back to it in game 7, thank goodness, because it came down to the wire.
ECF, another key matchup. Kawhi on Giannis. Never went full bore with this one, and probably would have had fatigue issues for Kawhi if they went with the matchup more. But went with it a lot after game 2 (a little late but it worked out), and never went away from it - which was crucial. 4 games of consistent putting Giannis through hell for half his possessions, using the other half to buy Kawhi a rest (on court or off). 4 wins. Great job by Nurse.
Also, good for Nurse sticking to his 8 man rotation. Kept Powell in play when he was sinking the team, kept FVV in play when he couldn't hit the ocean from a boat, both paid off huge in this series. Also tightened up and kept guys like Meeks off the floor.
Very intrigued to see what he comes up with defensively for the Warriors. They have a lot of role players you don't mind shooting the ball, and the Raptors have made hay with only one or two guys that they dared to shoot to load up on Embiid/Giannis.
First round didn't need much adjusting, the talent disparity was too big, but he also never made the right call going to Gasol on Vucevic full time. Magic would have been dead in the water immediately with that move. But, as noted, didn't matter, Raptors were way too good.
Second round, key matchup drove that series. Gasol should have been on Embiid the whole time. Hard matched in game 5, killed them, thought he had it figured out, but then he went away from it in game 6 and it fell apart. Went back to it in game 7, thank goodness, because it came down to the wire.
ECF, another key matchup. Kawhi on Giannis. Never went full bore with this one, and probably would have had fatigue issues for Kawhi if they went with the matchup more. But went with it a lot after game 2 (a little late but it worked out), and never went away from it - which was crucial. 4 games of consistent putting Giannis through hell for half his possessions, using the other half to buy Kawhi a rest (on court or off). 4 wins. Great job by Nurse.
Also, good for Nurse sticking to his 8 man rotation. Kept Powell in play when he was sinking the team, kept FVV in play when he couldn't hit the ocean from a boat, both paid off huge in this series. Also tightened up and kept guys like Meeks off the floor.
Very intrigued to see what he comes up with defensively for the Warriors. They have a lot of role players you don't mind shooting the ball, and the Raptors have made hay with only one or two guys that they dared to shoot to load up on Embiid/Giannis.
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