There are several things that are major factors to not playing "Great Ball" at this time.

1. C. Butler arrived and it messed up the entire chemistry in the way the all the other "role" players ( Lamb / Adams / Perry ) were expected to contribute at the beginning of the season and throughout the time the injuries ( Westbrook / Thabo / Perkins ) were benched. Lamb started the season great w/ a great shot and hitting 3's. When Butler arrived, you saw an immediate affect on the bench's contribution. Butler wasn't the answer, and should not be on the court before Lamb. This is Brooks' fault. How do you game plan to beat Miami, and we run them off their court w/ a small starting line-up ( Perry too ). There was no need for Butler to be here, ...he did not "add" anything to the game... a break-even at best. So why bring him in and Up-set the great chemistry already on the floor? ... Brook's needs to own this one.

2. Perkins on his best day does NOT add offense. Steve Kerr stated my opinion on this the other night. When you only have 3 offensive threats to defend, it makes your game plan easier to defend AND it puts a 5 X the pressure on the existing 3 players ( even if they are named Durant / Westbrook / Ibaka ). They have bad nights too, so why would Brooks expose this to our demise? The Grizzlies play a clean game and defend w/ intensity. They grind the game to a slow pace. Why are we playing to their game? ...this is like starting Perkins against Miami again, knowing it is not our best approach. This is Brooks problem too. Lamb is a MUST on the floor. Don't tell me about his "lack of defense", that is an excuse Brooks uses. If we play our game we win, if we play the Grizzlies game we go home early. 1st Round Early. Brooks needs to get over his issue w/ Lamb, or Brooks may be looking for another team.

3. This is not the panic button, this is seeing what worked through a great deal of the regular season,...so why would you not go w/ the same line-ups when the "wins" were being accummulated? Why would Brooks continue to keep the same players in ( down 17 on the road in a playoff game ) and not make game-time adjustments? IF Thabo is not going to shot the 3 when he is wide open, then get him out. For whatever reason, he has no confidence now. .. Lamb might.

Brooks, bench Butler. Put Lamb in early and tell him we are counting on him. Perry needs to have a bigger role. Put him in when the Grizzlies have their number 19 Beno Udrih is on the floor. Shut him down. Get Gasol in early foul trouble. Have Jackson drive to the bucket w/ the intention of getting Gasol some quick fouls.

Brooks, start Adams and give him the ball 5 times early and get Gasol to foul him. ... and this may open things up on the outside. Play the game inside -> out. ..

Brooks, please have Ibaka around the basket at ALL times. This game is about possessions. Ibaka must be the guy the finds every rebound & put back. Ibaka should never be on the perimeter when the ball is shot. I know he has a good 3 point shot, but that is not his value.

Brooks, in the second half, have Durant bring the ball up. Let the double team come to him, pass to Westbrook, let him go to the bucket ( drive or dish ) back out to Durant or an open Lamb. We need to press the basket w/ every possession. ..a foul / Free Throws / or trailing Durant. Take the game to them. ...not the other way around.

... Brooks, don't make it easier for them. Full court press the entire first quarter. Make their BIG's be something they are not. Pressure.