Fair point, 1-8 is better defensively and they added a ballhandler that looks to distribute.
I wanted to offer up my 2BIGz mea culpa after the trade deadline festivities... so here we are
My main concern with it was TL's fragility & 35yr old Al Horford minutes. TL has been great with the minutes increase, so my hand wringing there was wrong. BUT Al's efficiency dipped after playing too many. IME has pulled back a hair on Horford's PT and imagine the Theis acquisition will help shrink wrap Al a bit more. That concern should go away.
2BIGz is definitely here to stay... to my chagrin . It's been effective and fun to watch lately. It has posted some gaudy #s, especially after the Brooklyn walloping. Adding Theis will have IME playing 2BIGz more
It mostly works because it takes advantage of TimeLord's unique skillset. It lets TL play free safety around the paint while having Al guard the opposing BIG. That's not taking anything away from Al, who is a very good help defender. It also works because the starting 5 is a defensive juggernaut. When Jaylen Brown is your worst defender on the floor that's a good thing. AND last but not least IME deserves credit for his defensive philosophy, it's working and improving as the season moves along. Interested in seeing the C's clampdown on Denver/ATL over the next few days.
If Al starts hitting open 3's this team could go very far.
Good call Wade on being one of the few around here that was in favor of 2BIGz. The others that thought it was a good idea, credit to you also.