With Andre Drummond out due to a “rib contusion” (we all know the real reason: CISH, or Chronic Incurable Shoulder Hair), Stan Van Gundy had no choice, no choice at all, but to insert Boban Marjanovic as the starting center against Hassan Whiteside and the Heat. Actually, he did have a choice, but how much of a choice is it really when your other option is Eric Moreland?
I’m so pleased with him making the right lineup decision that I’m not even going to call him “Can’t Van Coach” in this description. He’s earned it.
Marjanovic rewarded his coach’s semi-confidence in him by scoring 15 points and dishing 3 dimes. They were using him on some possessions in sort of the same way as they use Drummond; set him up on the elbow, and see if he can hit a cutter or something. It didn’t work as well as it does with Drummond, so mostly they just had him seal off Whiteside in the post and score easy buckets. What’s up with all these “good” defenders getting exposed lately? First Kawhi, now Whiteside. Is nothing sacred?