Yeah we have simply looked defeated in the last few games. I really think Quin carries more of this burden than anyone (read: the team, media, FO, etc.) want to admit. He just doesn't have any answers when things start to get tight or things are going rough. He doesn't make the best use of his resources, and he doesn't know how to set up actual "plays" to generate quick scores. The defense, especially from the wing/guard positions, has been abysmal with a few small bright spots (Juancho, NAW, even Butler at times) that he refuses to go back to. Last night we needed stops, and we were getting scored on by bigger more athletic players, so did he bring in NAW or Juancho to match up to that? No, of course not, just run with the same guys over and over. Beating their heads against the wall. And that is exactly how they looked, beaten. Mitchell needs to be reigned in at the end of games, and the offense needs to run through Conley to get the blender going and generate open shots. That was when we were at our best, when we were moving the ball and the guys were moving around without the ball. But as soon as we get it to a stopper, whether Mitchell or Clarkson, all of that stops and the rest of the team turn into spectators. They may as well get a chair and some popcorn like everyone else and watch Mitchell go head-on into the teeth of 3 defenders. We are easy to defend because every single team has scouted us enough to know that is all we will do in the end. There is nothing else in the bag of tricks. And it is a terrible failure. The proof of the pudding is in the tasting, and so far it all tastes like ****. The worst record in close games of any playoff team, including play-in teams. The worst clutch shooting of any of those same teams. And Mitchell is leading the charge with some of the worst shooting in the NBA among high-usage players when the game is close.
But a competent coach would recognize this, plan for it, and practice and drill to get the team to understand what needs to be done to mitigate this. Instead Quin just doubles down and triples down on the soft 17 he is holding against the dealers face card showing. Odds are you lose that bet 9 times out of 10. But he keeps making the same bet. The frustrating thing to me is that the players reflect this because they do not have any better weapons. Yes the players own part of this, how hard they play, if they bring an edge, if they go at their assignments with the intent to win every battle to win the war. But the general has not prepared them for battle. He has one shot he can take, but as soon as that wad is gone, he is at a loss what to do. And hence, so are the players. It is painful to watch. I want to see Jensen coach for a few games again. Bring a different vibe and some different looks maybe.
But, as the saying goes: change the people, or change the people. And it is time to just change Quin. He won't budge and his system is fully exposed. Time for new blood and new ideas. I get that he is regarded as one of the best coaches in the league, that's fine and dandy, but just like when a good manager has lost their team, or lost their fire, it is time to move them and bring in someone else, to freshen things up. We are there with Quin right now. I really hope we explore other coaching options in the off-season. Otherwise we can expect another year of the same game played the same way, but maybe with a few different pieces in the game. Swapping a knight for a bishop when you only know one way to play the end-game can only get you so far.