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Message: [QUOTE="oldhusky, post: 5014357, member: 9844"] We have had many interesting discussions and debates over style of play. Hopefully with a deep and healthy roster almost all those options will be available this year. I think one impact of injuries over the last few years that has been overlooked, is how they took away many if not most of Geno's strategic options during a game. Game management became managing the minutes and substitution pattern. When you only play 6 or 7, some players need to come out before they are tired, and others way too late, because the player you took out needs to be rested enough to go back in before you can give the next one their blow. You frequently can't take two out at the same time, and can't even think about strategic substitutions for offense, defense, rebounding, outside shooting etc. Further you have to use a timeout every once in a while to rest key players. In essence the in game tools and options a coach normally has are largely gone. Regardless of which styles are used most often, this year Geno can make changes. If an individual match up isn't working, he has rested and talented players on the bench he can use. If he wants to pick up the pace, he can do it, and he can stack the lineup with scorers, shooters, passers, rebounders and defenders as the situation calls for it. I expect the efficiency of returning players to be a little better this year than last, not just because of more experience, but because they will be put in situations that favor their talents more, and bad match ups will largely be avoided, and players will not need to play many minutes tired. As for what style or styles are featured, I think much of that will sort out as Geno experiments with the talent and options he has, and sees what works best. That is something he hasn't really been able to do for most of the last three years. This year he can! [/QUOTE]

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