Jazz > Classical.
Nurse's ultra-flexible approach worked in ways nobody ever expected.... probably not even him. The idea of role players stepping up to make plays off the dribble failed miserably, however....
Kawhi evolving into an elite playoff level playmaker surrounded by knock-down shooters was something nobody really saw coming. This was basically the Lebron + Cavs time tested winning formula. This is the extra gear that we've been looking for all season long, but load management, injuries, trades and lack of Lowry/Kawhi chemistry never allowed that to gel properly. We saw so much less of FVV, Pascal, Serge, Norm, Danny, etc... trying to create off the dribble (thankfully) in the last 3 games and so much more of shooters simply shuffling around Kawhi and being shot ready.
Unlike Bud's scripted system, Nurse's flexible approach allowed the team the flexibility to re-create their offensive identity on the fly. Being flexible and adaptable was the mindset all season long. In contrast, you heard Giannis repeatedly saying "we're not changing anything.... we're going to do what we do", etc..., etc..., and keep running into that wall.
The other great twist was Nurse being touted as a brilliant offensive mind, but the most impressive thing he has done is getting the team to reach the elite defensive potential that this roster suggests we should have. Raps can seemingly get stops anytime we have energy, focus and determination... even when Kawhi and Gasol aren't on the court. That is sustainable and has now become the core identity of the team through 3 rounds. Having OG, even as just another body to give guys some rest can only help, as long as he doesn't make too many mental mistakes.
I am 100% on the Nick Nurse bandwagon. Kawhi Leonard being a Raptor doesn't hurt either. lol.
Nurse's ultra-flexible approach worked in ways nobody ever expected.... probably not even him. The idea of role players stepping up to make plays off the dribble failed miserably, however....
Kawhi evolving into an elite playoff level playmaker surrounded by knock-down shooters was something nobody really saw coming. This was basically the Lebron + Cavs time tested winning formula. This is the extra gear that we've been looking for all season long, but load management, injuries, trades and lack of Lowry/Kawhi chemistry never allowed that to gel properly. We saw so much less of FVV, Pascal, Serge, Norm, Danny, etc... trying to create off the dribble (thankfully) in the last 3 games and so much more of shooters simply shuffling around Kawhi and being shot ready.
Unlike Bud's scripted system, Nurse's flexible approach allowed the team the flexibility to re-create their offensive identity on the fly. Being flexible and adaptable was the mindset all season long. In contrast, you heard Giannis repeatedly saying "we're not changing anything.... we're going to do what we do", etc..., etc..., and keep running into that wall.
The other great twist was Nurse being touted as a brilliant offensive mind, but the most impressive thing he has done is getting the team to reach the elite defensive potential that this roster suggests we should have. Raps can seemingly get stops anytime we have energy, focus and determination... even when Kawhi and Gasol aren't on the court. That is sustainable and has now become the core identity of the team through 3 rounds. Having OG, even as just another body to give guys some rest can only help, as long as he doesn't make too many mental mistakes.
I am 100% on the Nick Nurse bandwagon. Kawhi Leonard being a Raptor doesn't hurt either. lol.
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