Something that was really unexpected was that throughout the regular season Thibs basically wanted to do nothing less than play Obi Toppin, and yet so far in the postseason he has given him a real run and he has played well.
He has gradually played better down the stretch, I'm not sure the minutes have changed too much. He was pretty much unplayable for a long time as we discussed here, consistently looking as lost on a NBA court as any player I can remember on both ends, he couldn't pass the ball fast enough every time. But gradually (with very limited minutes) he has figured out how he fits in better and better and his confidence seems to rise almost every game. He has been a good defender for a while but his offense has been coming more recently, Clyde said they should start feeding him last game and he never says that (he was correct). And Obi still only got 12 minutes last game despite being a rare bright spot in the first half, IMO he should be getting 20 at least as he certainly doesn't seem to have stamina issues.
My preferences for NY's starting PG tonight, Thibs said he hadn't decided the lineup as of a bit ago:
Quickley (no one can guard Trae really (Bullock?) but he has been one of Quickley's role models and so at least he has watched endless film on him, and he can attack Trae at the other end and maybe get fouls on him although he should take a cue from Trae that the throwing the hands in the air when you are bumped mostly does not fly in the postseason)
Rose (I am worried about him getting into foul trouble or playing too many minutes, play him a ton but let him come off the bench as he is used to)
Burks (maybe NY can't afford to save all his offense for the fourth quarter, they need a third threat on the starters to take a little focus off Randle/Barrett)
Ntikilina (in the Payton role, but hopefully at least good at the defense side, he has caused Trae problems in the past)
Payton (grudgingly)
