It's Not Just the Triangle, It's the Roster and Team Identity

A discussion many of us have been having on other boards involves the short term viability of teaching the Triangle to talent who are short-timers vs teaching and playing long-term assets.

Presumably short-timers on the roster include Sam, STAT, Bargs, JR, and Prigioni if not because of expiring contract then as a function of age or trade value.  Yet, Fisher often defers minutes to many of these players.

A case in point is the fact that Cole Aldrich's presence on the floor contributes as much if not more than STAT or Delambert do.  While STAT can score, his defense and lack of defensive positioning often give back far more than he brings.  Sam is the opposite, fairly good defensive but no offense. Aldrich actually is as good defensively as Delambert and, given the minutes, could compare decently with STAT.  Cole is also a better complementary player for Melo.

The roster weakness at PG or "Lead Guard" as it's called in the Triangle is another mystery.  With Calderon hurt, Larkin does the best he can filling in and at his best this is adequate.  And Prigioni is also an adequate backup.  In the D-League, Galloway is highly regarded but it seems to me and others that picking up a guy like Gal Mekel who was let go by the Mavs might be a great investment.  Gal is long and athletic which cannot be said for either Larkin or Prig.

Another option at the Lead Guard position might be to let JR Smith handle the chores in particular with Jason Smith at the PF position.  The pick and roll chemistry here is undeniable and JR's passing skills get better every day.

Given this hypothesis, a lineup of Aldrich, JaSmith, Melo, Shumpert (who has become indispensable), and JR might be our best starting and fourth quarter units yet that's not who is getting the play time.

A second unit of Sam, Wear, Early (Early and Wear complement each other well based on summer league play), Hardaway, and Larkin promote minutes for the prospects on the roster.

This leaves STAT, Prigioni, and bargs for spot and situational duty off the bench.

We aren't winning games playing the short-timer, big contract pattern.  I'd like to see Fisher try the longer term concept.