Best Small Ball Lineup

[SoberasHotRod]

I like the idea of a changeup lineup that other teams have to prepare for. Here is my best small ball lineup:

Gay, Paschall, House, Royce, Mitchell.

What do you think? What would your small ball/ changeup lineup be?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

If Im the Jazz I'm not playing small ball at all tbh.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Small ball is for offensive output... so just make sure everyone gets that. Based on the guys we have I don't see any scenario where we are better defensively with Whiteside or even Udoka on the bench. Whiteside may get cooked in space in the playoffs so we will see.

If playing 5 out is needed to unclog the offense I think some of these lineups could survive on defense maybe. We won't turn into this switchy small ball team. We might be able to hit a bunch of threes and get a bunch of open drives from Donovan with a 5 out look.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Also having a small ball lineup with just Donovan may not be great. I'd almost want Bogey out there with either Donovan or Mike so that he can post up with shooters around him when teams switch a smaller dude. Gay could like do this too but he's been pretty creeky lately.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Small ball is for offensive output... so just make sure everyone gets that. Based on the guys we have I don't see any scenario where we are better defensively with Whiteside or even Udoka on the bench. Whiteside may get cooked in space in the playoffs so we will see.

If playing 5 out is needed to unclog the offense I think some of these lineups could survive on defense maybe. We won't turn into this switchy small ball team. We might be able to hit a bunch of threes and get a bunch of open drives from Donovan with a 5 out look.

Yeah, but Whiteside is actually very good offensively against small players. I'd rather just put him in and feed him down low. I think he actually has the highest On/Off offensive rating of any individual player on the team. That or he's right behind Mitchell.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Yeah, but Whiteside is actually very good offensively against small players. I'd rather just put him in and feed him down low. I think he actually has the highest On/Off offensive rating of any individual player on the team. That or he's right behind Mitchell.

Good point. Was thinking more in the pick and roll game where he struggles. Now that Joe is gone there is less need for a great pick and roll option on the second unit. He is going to be able to punish smaller players on the glass and in the post... though I worry he might be the easiest guy in the world to double team because he's such a reluctant passer.

Even on drives I think having a guy that cleans up the mess when the driver takes up all the attention at the rim.

 

[jom2003]

Just not enough defense or rebounding to go small. No one outside of our three centers can protect the rim effectively

 

[SoberasHotRod]

If Im the Jazz I'm not playing small ball at all tbh.

All of our best lineups will include Gobert, so yeah, it isn't something we should be spending a lot of time on. I do like the idea of having changeup options in a playoff series, either as an adjustment or just to throw the other team off. I'm also not 100% confident in what Whiteside will bring to a playoff series. Also, it's just for fun.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Favs got cooked in the playoffs but the offense with Rudy on the court and off the court was just fine. Niang not making any shots and JC oscillating between hot and cold were likely the biggest offensive issues. I don't think we go small or 5 out much or at all.

I think Gay helps us a bit because when Rudy or Hassan have to come over to help he can at least clean up a few extra rebounds or can contest a shot or two if Rudy gets pulled out.

The most likely team to go small or 5 out is GS and I'm gonna dare Green to shoot threes if that is the case. It will be mostly at the end of games when you wouldn't pull Rudy anyway. Phoenix is more traditional... Dallas doesn't really scare me if they go small I think we can bury them. They don't have the Batum, Morris, Mann, PG combo on the wing to control the pick and roll and stop Rudy from eating.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

How about if the wings and guards stay in front of their man, everything will be fine. I don’t get nervous when Gobert has to man up on the outside with a smaller man, but **** hits the fan when the wings can’t stay in front of their man.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

Only reason for small ball, is injuries and foul trouble