|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on May 24, 2018 15:12:48 GMT -5
We are a win away from reaching the Finals, but this is not to say we don't have areas to improve at.
Granted, we are going to have Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward next year, but these playoff games have highlighted at least 2 areas where I think we ought to address.
Perimeter shooting
Interior defense
Perimeter shooting. We have players who can knock down three's, but we have too many shooters who are streaky, or plainly inefficient. Rozier and Brown (and we can include Tatum here too) are streaky shooters, though they are much improved. Marcus Smart and Morris are inefficient shooters. What we need, if we are to be serious title contenders, are more "pure" shooters -- guys who knock down open three's in their sleep, and can also connect when contested. I'm talking about Ray Allen types, Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, etc. and not Antoine Walker, Allen Iverson types. Having efficient shooters will make us dominant offenisvely, more than merely just really good.
Interior defense. Last night, Aron Baynes was a human eraser. He batted away at least 4 shots, and was a reminder to me that we lack a truly dominant shot blocker. Our perimeter defense is superb. And our help defense covers up mistakes. But when we let opposing players get into the paint, we've been susceptible. More shot blockers and rebounders would be a tremendous boost to our already stout defense, especially if we are defending guys like Curry and Harden who are constant threats in the paint.
Where do you guys think we need to get better at?
|
|
|
|
Post by jmost on May 24, 2018 16:06:09 GMT -5
I'm surprised you mentioned perimeter shooting, especially since we're talking next year. Kyrie will be back. He shot over 40% this year from deep. Hayward shot very close to 40% last year. Brown shot 39.5% and is rapidly improving. Tatum shot 43.4% and that includes two months with a sore right hand. Horford shot 42.9%. That's an amazing perimeter shooting starting five. If those guys are taking the bulk of the shots, we're all set. I would agree that Morris and Rozier are very streaky, and Smart is terrible most of the time, but the key is to have the right people taking the shots.
I completely agree with interior defense as a need. Embiid and Giannis are going to be challenging us for years and better interior D will come in handy.
Another need is more people who can post up. I think we'll see Tatum and Brown both developing a post game. Smart shows signs of one at time. Too bad Monroe's D is not so great.
TR3's assist/TO ratio is great, but he still doesn't pass the eye test as far as creating offense for others. Smart's numbers aren't as good, but the same applies with him. Another true playmaking PG would be great. Larkin isn't bad, and in fact, grew on me as the season wore on.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on May 25, 2018 20:49:08 GMT -5
3 guys who are in heavy rotation (this year, but not necessarily next season) are streaky shooters -- Rozier, Smart and Morris. From game to game, maybe even quarter to quarter, these guys are either on or off.
Kyrie, Hayward and Tatum can hit perimeter shots (including 3s) in all situations -- catch and shoot, off the dribble, set shots. Jaylen is still developing here.
If we're going to be a dominant offense, we need more consistent shooters, and less streaky ones. I think this is a big reason why we fall into big holes, and make enormous runs.
Though 2 shooters may equally shoot 40% from beyond the arc -- one guy consistently hits 4 of 10, but the other one knocks down 6 in a row, but then misses his next 8, and then goes on another run, then goes ice cold, etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by jrmzt on May 26, 2018 6:02:34 GMT -5
Actually if you look closely, Jaylen is turning into quite a good 3pt shooter. I know we talk about Tatum's 3pt range but Jaylen has been nailing at a 40% rate this season...and not on low volumes either.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on May 26, 2018 14:57:56 GMT -5
Yeah, he’s quickly getting there. The one area i don’t see him doing as much yet is in isolation, putting the moves on his man and then pulling up for a quick three.
It’s more Rozier, Smart and Morris who I think we need to upgrade from (though Terry is not as streaky as the other 2).
|
|
|
|
Post by freshnthehouse on May 28, 2018 15:27:02 GMT -5
Frankly I think this team when healthy has very few flaws. What killed us this playoff series was a lack of iso scoring. we had no one that could bail us out when the set offense broke down. Well here comes Kyrie and Hayward, who both have that skill. And Tatum is on his way. This team is really, really good.
Eventually we're gonna need a young big to replace Al. That's why I'd love to explore us trying to work a deal with Orlando for their [HASH]6 pick (Rozier + a late first?). There are some good big prospects in this draft. I'd love to take a flyer on Mo Bamba or Jaren Jackson.
I'd also give trading Kyrie some thought if the right deal came along, with the caveat that we can get Rozier to agree to a reasonable extension.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on May 28, 2018 19:27:45 GMT -5
Very few flaws, and i think with just a couple of key upgrades, we’re good for many titles.
We’d be in better shape if we have a big man who combines what Baynes brings (physical defense) and what Theis offers (shot blocking and 3’s).
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on May 28, 2018 21:47:41 GMT -5
@6:04 left in the 4th quarter, BOS had the lead. Irving, and Hayward were 1a and 1b, down. BOS will shine next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on May 28, 2018 22:00:09 GMT -5
@6:04 left in the 4th quarter, BOS had the lead. Irving, and Hayward were 1a and 1b, down. BOS will shine next year. Yeah, there is no perfect team. If we keep the band together as is (bring Baynes back), we have a chance at the title. |
|
|
|
Post by afceltic on May 28, 2018 22:59:26 GMT -5
No way we pay this guy 12-14M. Danny will take a huge hit as a GM if he gives him that kind of money.
I am for keeping Morris and Baynes, but Smart is a no go unless it is for 5 or 6 million.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on May 28, 2018 23:34:30 GMT -5
No way we pay this guy 12-14M. Danny will take a huge hit as a GM if he gives him that kind of money. I am for keeping Morris and Baynes, but Smart is a no go unless it is for 5 or 6 million. I’d be willing to go more 6 mil. 10 would be my final offer, but i’d like to sign him for 8. If i’m Ainge, i’d try my hardest to find Morris’ replacement. I like his fight, and his scoring ability, but he’s way too loose of a cannon. He’s a chucker who gets us in trouble at times. |
|
|
|
Post by afceltic on May 29, 2018 2:28:46 GMT -5
No way we pay this guy 12-14M. Danny will take a huge hit as a GM if he gives him that kind of money. I am for keeping Morris and Baynes, but Smart is a no go unless it is for 5 or 6 million. I’d be willing to go more 6 mil. 10 would be my final offer, but i’d like to sign him for 8. If i’m Ainge, i’d try my hardest to find Morris’ replacement. I like his fight, and his scoring ability, but he’s way too loose of a cannon. He’s a chucker who gets us in trouble at times. I would rather keep Morris because he can actually get hot and make some shots where Smart can't. Plus Morris can play decent defense on LeFlop and that is a huge help. |
|
|
|
Post by freshnthehouse on May 29, 2018 16:37:51 GMT -5
No way we pay this guy 12-14M. Danny will take a huge hit as a GM if he gives him that kind of money. I am for keeping Morris and Baynes, but Smart is a no go unless it is for 5 or 6 million. I’d be willing to go more 6 mil. 10 would be my final offer, but i’d like to sign him for 8. If i’m Ainge, i’d try my hardest to find Morris’ replacement. I like his fight, and his scoring ability, but he’s way too loose of a cannon. He’s a chucker who gets us in trouble at times. Yup, I'd love to sign him to a 5 year/45 mill deal with a 15% trade kicker. Hopefully he'd be willing to turn down slightly more $$$ for more years/security. But yeah, if some team wants to give him 14mill/year, good for him, bad for us, and probably eventually bad for whatever team made that offer. Gotta let him walk at that price. Paying him much more than the MLE seems dicey. |
|
|
|
Post by jmost on May 29, 2018 16:52:21 GMT -5
I was listening to the Dan Patrick show today and someone said about Smart "he's not as good as he thinks he is". I think that's right. And it may wind up being the reason he leaves, if Danny doesn't value him as highly as he values himself.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on May 29, 2018 22:57:28 GMT -5
I can see Danny offering a Bradley/Crowder type of deal, like 5-years/$40-million.
|
|
