Quote:
Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis
One of the bigger issues right now is they have been out-rebounded pretty well in all three games. Not gonna win many games at this level losing the rebound advantage by ~10 a game, unless you are shooting lights out.
|
Wasn't this utterly predictable with the loss of both Gasol and Ibaka? Plus, those two were strong defenders, especially Ibaka. They seem to have lost their defensive game and they don't have enough offensive talent to make up for it now. Taking out two fairly effective bigs (even though Gasol is on a steep decline) is going to hurt your rebounding and rim defense, which ripples out to all other aspects of your defensive game. When that was your bread and butter last year, it's going to be a challenge to win as many games when it has been significantly altered.
This is a team that may struggle to even make the playoffs this year. I suspect it will be a transition to a new team led by FVV and Siakam, but questions remain if there's enough talent in those two to build a strong team around. They're great 3rd or 4th options, but I don't see them as go-to guys, at least not yet.