Post by DERRENMATTS on Aug 23, 2005 2:09:54 GMT -5
When our offense is in a scoring rhythm and players are moving around with energy and purpose, we can do a lot of damage putting up points on the scoreboard. Its during spurts like these that basketball is exciting and the fans go wild.
But if we are to become a more consistent scoring machine with fewer scoring droughts, we need to use our players efficiently.
As 2 specific examples, I will be using Delonte West and Tony Allen. These guys will most likely turn out to be strong role players, rather than star players like Jefferson and Gerald Green <crossing fingers>. They will do their damage by executing their plays and making the most of their scoring opportunities. But last year, these 2 guys were not being used efficiently. Tony's athleticism and slashing ability, and Delonte's outside and midrange shooting stroke were mostly left as last resort options. As Pierce, Walker, and Payton were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd options in the starting lineup, it really made no difference who the other 2 players were because they were only going to be asked to stand around the perimeter and do their best to stay out of their ways. And what usually happened with Walker in the lineup is a two man game at the low post.
What Rivers should have done is run plays for Delonte to get open looks from the perimeter, or use multiple screens to get an open lane for Tony to slash through. These 2 guys are smart enough that if their plays are being blocked, they can find the open player to pass to. When Tony slashes, he is equally able to put up his own shot or dump off a pass if he's in trouble. Delonte is not shy to take a shot, but he's also smart enough to move the ball if another guy has a better shot.
Both guys' talents and basketball skills weren't being used to the most effectiveness last year. Sure they were rookies, but they could have played better if they'd have been used more effeciently.
Toward the end of the season, Jefferson started getting more feeds in the post, which is what should have happened. I'm not to worried about him not being used efficiently. But if Rivers makes him do a lot of high posting the way he used Blount and Raef rather than getting Jefferson into the low post, then I will raise my hand in question.
The young guys are far more talented to be used just as decorations.
But if we are to become a more consistent scoring machine with fewer scoring droughts, we need to use our players efficiently.
As 2 specific examples, I will be using Delonte West and Tony Allen. These guys will most likely turn out to be strong role players, rather than star players like Jefferson and Gerald Green <crossing fingers>. They will do their damage by executing their plays and making the most of their scoring opportunities. But last year, these 2 guys were not being used efficiently. Tony's athleticism and slashing ability, and Delonte's outside and midrange shooting stroke were mostly left as last resort options. As Pierce, Walker, and Payton were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd options in the starting lineup, it really made no difference who the other 2 players were because they were only going to be asked to stand around the perimeter and do their best to stay out of their ways. And what usually happened with Walker in the lineup is a two man game at the low post.
What Rivers should have done is run plays for Delonte to get open looks from the perimeter, or use multiple screens to get an open lane for Tony to slash through. These 2 guys are smart enough that if their plays are being blocked, they can find the open player to pass to. When Tony slashes, he is equally able to put up his own shot or dump off a pass if he's in trouble. Delonte is not shy to take a shot, but he's also smart enough to move the ball if another guy has a better shot.
Both guys' talents and basketball skills weren't being used to the most effectiveness last year. Sure they were rookies, but they could have played better if they'd have been used more effeciently.
Toward the end of the season, Jefferson started getting more feeds in the post, which is what should have happened. I'm not to worried about him not being used efficiently. But if Rivers makes him do a lot of high posting the way he used Blount and Raef rather than getting Jefferson into the low post, then I will raise my hand in question.
The young guys are far more talented to be used just as decorations.
?
a break?