32 wrote:Even with a double OT against Denver and several OTs early on, Lee and Curry aren't even in the top 10 for MPG this year. In Nellie's final season, Ellis led the league in minutes (41.4). The year before, Jackson was #2 overall. The year before, Baron and SJax were 7 and 8 respectively. There's really no comparison between which coach blew out his stars more. Yes, Steph and Lee play a lot, but their backups (Jack and Landry) have extremely prominent roles, whereas Nellie established virtually no substitutes for Davis, Ellis, and Jackson.
And yes, you are absolutely correct, the front office increasing the level of talent makes this roster a winner by default. But I just believe that Mark Jackson establishing a pattern of substitutions for his main guns (not afraid to give them a blow even in a close game), invigorating his bench and keeping 10 or 11 guys sharp at all times, and - above all - playing each baller to his strengths, rather than a mismatch, is a recipe for greatness. Nelson might have been able to get these guys to the playoffs, you're right. But Mark Jackson has these guys ready to go deep; with home court advantage in the first round, these guys can practically punch their ticket to the semi-finals. Jackson is quite possibly the Coach of the Year. Nelson, to his credit, was past his CotY prime and I sincerely doubt he would be doing anywhere near as good a job with this team.
But that is what I call presuppositions - you asssume Nelson would be lazy and disinterested with this squad as well. Don't forget Nelson was COY three times. That Mark Jackson could become one is in no way a detriment to Nelson.
I think/assume it would have been quite the opposite - the man would have loved to coach a team with real talent not some half dleague and rookies who could not play - like anthony randolph, who had his best years, sad isn't it?, under nelson in his unsatisfying carrer so far. Patrick o'Bryant, btw,is now on the second best lithuanian club team, i wonder whetehr he will manage to crack the rotation there.
Also Nelson said during last tenure, that he wants the team to move the ball, he loved passers - and this year's squad is a passing squad, especially with bogut in which alows lee to play for the last 5 games in high post and create space (stretch the floor) and pass (7 assists again, again on that 'gimmicky' guard cutting play).
Bogut would be loved by nelson as well, who can pass almost like Sabonis did, the greates passing big ever. And though Bogut can't shoot very well, he would have been loved for his defense - and barnes as well, since he is a good wing defender - one trait Nelson always loved for his wing players.
So, yeah, apples and oranges, nelson's last years were with terrible undermanned squad's, jackson has a very good one in his second year.
I'm glad he went from walk it up offense during our first game with clippers, letting players (curry) take step in three on offense, i'm glad he started using lee a lot in high post, i'm glad he utilized 2 pf and 3 guard line-ups very well. I'm glad he went to push it up offense which rejuvenated this season, and we saw not much - 89-84 games. And he is one lucky man to have a team that can also play half-court just by having talent to spread the floor with shooters, and now having bogut in the middle (when, if, he will require double teaming) he will play lee in high post much more, since that is where lee is most effective.
Can a brother get a bump for ego's sake?? Haha 
