I dont believe its that simple. Its not like they were going to win without Derozen. you go with your best players, in this situation. I understand what Casey was trying to do, but its bigger than one game. What Chuck is saying is kinda like when Brown took out Simmons the other night but he put him back in. This is a sport of confidence. Would Sixers make the playoffs without Simmons? Ok, then. How good is Raps without Derozen. Do they win 40 games even?
suppose they pull that game out with Derozen on the bench? how is his confidence the next game? do the Raps go on to win the series? everyone already knew they were headed for a damn sweep yet you put an All NBA player on the bench. Remember when McHale benched Harden?
I am not blasting Casey's decision, but in this league, you live and die with however your stars are playing and accept that. nikka wasnt coming back to beat the Cavs 4 games they way the Cavs were ballin.