Ok with current starting 5: Gesell, Marble, White, Basabe, Woody.
Unless one is just atrociously screwing up on both ends of the floor, they get 4-6 minutes to establish themselves and show me if they've come to play and what kind of game they're going to have.
My intent is Gabe is coming in for Mel or Woody at that point (if they are doing ok, I'm not rocking the boat until 2nd tv time out at 8 minutes).
If Mel, I now have Gesell, Marble, White, Woody, Gabe. I'm looking for Marble lobs and Woody passes to White on back cuts for dunks. I'm also setting up a great high/low game between the twin towers with Woody feeding Gabe on the blocks or driving. Marble can attack or shoot with a triple threat (White, Woody, Gabe) to clean up the glass and get the put backs.
If Gabe needs to get Woody, depending on Mel's game, I might also bring in Uthoff with Gabe. Shift White to the 4 and I now have Gesell, Marble, Uthoff(3), White(4), Gabe(5). I've now upheld my rebounding with White and Gabe but also stretched the defense with Uthoff at the 3 for some pop or dribble-drive, tho I'd like to keep that open for White and Marble to go to work.
Notice, at no time am I compromising my biggest strength -- height (6'2, 6'6, 6'9, 6'9, 6'10), length (Marble, Uthoff, Gabe), and relentless inside attack -- and I've expanded it with a solid threat of dribble drive from 2, 3 or 4 (Marble, White, Uthoff) and a hint of shooting (Marble, Uthoff, Gesell). At all 5 positions (less so with Gabe and Gesell) I've got dual and at 3 I've got triple-threats.
If I've got a 3 possession lead, I might go a little more "line-change" at that 4-8 minute mark for a little rest. In addition to the above, I might bring in Sapp for Mike and / or Oglesby for Mike (Dev goes to point) or Dev. This really depends on if my inside attack has worked to create fouls and force opponent into zone. That's the only time to bring in Oglesby because he's not going to be able to create his own space for shots against man but would definitely have opportunities with quick swing passes against a zone, where he's got time to go through his slow square and shoot.
I've now potentially used Gesell, Marble, White, Woody, Gabe, Mel, Uthoff, Oglesby and Sapp. Those 1st 5 or 6 need to get 24-30, depending on Woody / Mel. Uthoff gets 15-18, as my utility guy. Oglesby / Sapp for 6-10, depending on opportunity and performance.
McCabe is a guy I use less than 6-8 minutes a game, never at the 5 and never without Gabe or Woody on the floor. Jok is done unless I've got foul trouble or injury.
I continue to strive for transition, especially when Gesell, Marble, White and Gabe are on the floor. However, unlike now, I still have a half-court identity that is to work you inside-out. I'm gonna overwhelm you with size, relentlessly attack the rim and glass to create put backs or free throws. I want you to pack in a zone to stop this so I give my shooters more space to take their slow square up and release shots. When they can go through their motions, I have confidence they will hit those wide-open looks -- not so much against man or in transition.
There ya go, Fran, know who you are and use your best players to go dominate at it.
