Suicide Squad
Contrast that with a match-up against the Rockets.
D’Antoni’s starting line-up essentially acts like a small line-up. The problem with this is the OKC Thunder do not have the personnel to match this. Adams matches up well against Rockets center Capela. But Kanter will get picked on in pick-and-rolls such that the OKC Thunder’s bench will bleed the moment Westbrook sits.
Last year, the Thunder could counter Golden State’s small line-ups with their own uber-small lineup. Kevin Durant upsized all the way to the 5 position and still held his own on defense. On offense, his range and mobility threw the ball back into the Warriors’ court to make adjustments of their own.
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This year, Donovan does not seem to have the same option. Jerami Grant was supposed to be the same lanky, bouncy small forward with the wingspan to play center in today’s game. The problem is that he does not seem comfortable enough playing big. Grant works well playing the four because he can roam and block shots the way Serge Ibaka did. But he lacks the positional discipline to make this a legitimate permutation for Donovan.
The OKC Thunder’s big line-ups are elite in the league and they should press it whenever they can. But because the Rockets will likely force the Thunder away from this comfort zone, it is hard to argue against the Rockets being the harder match-up.
More favorable match-up: San Antonio Spurs