Hard disagree. We were at best a .500 team. We benefitted early winning all the close games and had incredible shooting luck (opponent free throw percentage for example). Also had no injuries really and benefited from opponents missing guys like Ja, Bane, Kawhi... We also did some cute gimmicky things that worked at the beginning of the year (like aggressively trying to create turnovers) that have now been eliminated. We were always a 35-40 win team when healthy but had and made some luck.
Conley goes out and we are 0-5 with home losses to Detroit and Chicago. We are historically bad protecting the paint (not an exaggeration... we allow the most points in the paint ever) which is a good baseline for losing a **** ton of games... just like it was a great baseline for winning a bunch of games in the Rudy years. Basically, the way we are playing we have to have amazing shooting nights to win. Too many turnovers, not forcing enough turnovers, allowing a **** ton of offensive rebounds and points in the paint. We have good shooters so will stay close... we also play hard so will be competitive.
Removing Conley and one other vet and replacing minutes with Sexton/THT/NAW and Ochai/Kessler/Doke will absolutely leave us winning 30-40% of our games depending on Lauri and other players health. Won't get us bottom 5 but the 7-8 seed is possible if we make a move soon. Outside chance that OKC could pass us but it would mean they play it pretty straight.
Long term it is the right strategy. This stretch was beneficial as we saw what Lauri can do... and what having a good game managing point guard does for the group. Its time to embrace the pain of losing while letting Sexton, Kessler, THT, Ochai spread their wings.