Post by DERRENMATTS on Oct 10, 2007 16:36:06 GMT -5
Well, we didn't dominate a young and inexperienced Wolves team like I was expecting, but that doesn't mean our hopes of capturing the Eastern conference are diminished. There's still time to get our guys on the same page, and for them to learn each other more. I think that's one of the issues right now.
One observation and recommendation that I have is to move Tony Allen into the starting rotation and have Ray Allen move to the 6th man role. This is not to say that RAllen is being demoted. I really like his smooth and effortless shooting, and actually think he can be more dangerous and more impactful off the bench. I forgot I brought this up about a month ago, without seeing the team in action, and as I was watching the game, the thought resurfaced. For 2 reasons:
--At the onset of the game, RAllen and Pierce don't get enough consistent scoring opportunities for the both of them to get into a rhythm. Today, RAllen was able to get his shot going, but Pierce didn't. Last game, Pierce had his scoring on, but RAllen didn't. Seems like there's not enough opportunities for the both of them to get their offenses going if they are both on the court at the same time to start the game. And of course, we still have one more key offensive player in our Trio (or Triple Threat) who was an afterthought for most of the game (Garnett). If we have Pierce and Garnett at the start of the game finding their offense, we will do very well. Seems difficult to have 3 guys finding their offense at the start of the game.
--Tony is a creator. When he attacks, he's either scoring (converting points or getting to the line) or else he's creating plays for others. In my opinion, this bodes well for our starting unit. There were times when our offense struggled, and TAllen would bring some life with his penetrations and slashing. Once Rondo starts creating offense with his dribble penetrations, he and TAllen will give us 2 backcourt players who are creating for Pierce and Garnett (and Perk may be the biggest benefactor of them all). Plus, our starting 5's defense seemed a bt suspect, if you ask me. Tony helps with that problem.
Another observation--Big Baby needs to watch out of else he'll become the next Toine. Big guys who think they're ballarinas with nimble toes, who think they are excellent shooters have a way of rubbing me the wrong way. I'd like Big Baby to play more like Craig Smith and Malik Rose, than Antoine Walker.
I think with time under Clifford Ray's guidance, Batista can be a fine offensive weapon off the bench (to the tune of 8 - 9 ppg). He's got the confidence, I think, but just needs to work on upfakes and giving defenses different looks.
Cut Dahntay Jones and Jackie Manuel--we don't need them. Pierce, RAllen, Tony, and Posey are all we need. If Doc and Ainge feel that Brandon Wallace has good upside, keep him with the final roster spot. Or else, I'm fine with 14 guys on the roster.
Eddie House needs to be more proactive. He's got to have little conscious about firing shots away. He's got to be instant offense. And he also has to push the ball up the floor more.
Rajon needs to be an instigator. Not that it was all his fault, but at times when our staring 5 struggled to get the offense going, I thought that Rajon could have attacked the basket and created plays for himself and his teammates. He's got the ability to do so, but yet he was holding back so much.
We have no post player. With Garnett at the top of the key, our best post player is nowhere near the post. Perk has improved, but he's not a guy you want to consistently go to in the post when we need points in the paint. To be a well balanced team, we need to go inside.
We didn't run much in this game. We did a lot of walking up the court. I'd like to see this team be more aggressive with the tempo. We don't need to finish with a fastbreak on every possession, but if we push the tempo, we are bound to catch defenses sleeping.
One observation and recommendation that I have is to move Tony Allen into the starting rotation and have Ray Allen move to the 6th man role. This is not to say that RAllen is being demoted. I really like his smooth and effortless shooting, and actually think he can be more dangerous and more impactful off the bench. I forgot I brought this up about a month ago, without seeing the team in action, and as I was watching the game, the thought resurfaced. For 2 reasons:
--At the onset of the game, RAllen and Pierce don't get enough consistent scoring opportunities for the both of them to get into a rhythm. Today, RAllen was able to get his shot going, but Pierce didn't. Last game, Pierce had his scoring on, but RAllen didn't. Seems like there's not enough opportunities for the both of them to get their offenses going if they are both on the court at the same time to start the game. And of course, we still have one more key offensive player in our Trio (or Triple Threat) who was an afterthought for most of the game (Garnett). If we have Pierce and Garnett at the start of the game finding their offense, we will do very well. Seems difficult to have 3 guys finding their offense at the start of the game.
--Tony is a creator. When he attacks, he's either scoring (converting points or getting to the line) or else he's creating plays for others. In my opinion, this bodes well for our starting unit. There were times when our offense struggled, and TAllen would bring some life with his penetrations and slashing. Once Rondo starts creating offense with his dribble penetrations, he and TAllen will give us 2 backcourt players who are creating for Pierce and Garnett (and Perk may be the biggest benefactor of them all). Plus, our starting 5's defense seemed a bt suspect, if you ask me. Tony helps with that problem.
Another observation--Big Baby needs to watch out of else he'll become the next Toine. Big guys who think they're ballarinas with nimble toes, who think they are excellent shooters have a way of rubbing me the wrong way. I'd like Big Baby to play more like Craig Smith and Malik Rose, than Antoine Walker.
I think with time under Clifford Ray's guidance, Batista can be a fine offensive weapon off the bench (to the tune of 8 - 9 ppg). He's got the confidence, I think, but just needs to work on upfakes and giving defenses different looks.
Cut Dahntay Jones and Jackie Manuel--we don't need them. Pierce, RAllen, Tony, and Posey are all we need. If Doc and Ainge feel that Brandon Wallace has good upside, keep him with the final roster spot. Or else, I'm fine with 14 guys on the roster.
Eddie House needs to be more proactive. He's got to have little conscious about firing shots away. He's got to be instant offense. And he also has to push the ball up the floor more.
Rajon needs to be an instigator. Not that it was all his fault, but at times when our staring 5 struggled to get the offense going, I thought that Rajon could have attacked the basket and created plays for himself and his teammates. He's got the ability to do so, but yet he was holding back so much.
We have no post player. With Garnett at the top of the key, our best post player is nowhere near the post. Perk has improved, but he's not a guy you want to consistently go to in the post when we need points in the paint. To be a well balanced team, we need to go inside.
We didn't run much in this game. We did a lot of walking up the court. I'd like to see this team be more aggressive with the tempo. We don't need to finish with a fastbreak on every possession, but if we push the tempo, we are bound to catch defenses sleeping.
