2015 NBA Playoffs Thread: The Zebras are Loose

[elcheato]

There's no one else to blame on the Cavs aside from David Blatt, and the media seems to be covering that just fine, so I pick LeBron 

 

[CameronCrazy06]

JJ isn't owning Harden's soul in any way, shape, or form, but LAC's help defense has been fantastic and has avoided fouls really, really well. I'd actually like to credit Harden for trying to facilitate more and, through the last bit of the regular season and these playoffs so far, I'm starting to like the thought of him at PG. Houston will never do it but why not start him in that spot and find another 2?

Because you have to be able to guard 1's and Beverley is really good at that. Harden is essentially the 1 on offense.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

There's a Pels beat writer who thinks Ajinca should start over Asik...omg

 

[elcheato]

https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/598103633293619201

 

[elcheato]

There's a Pels beat writer who thinks Ajinca should start over Asik...omg

I still think it makes the most sense to have Davis as the center long-term (assuming he continues to add to his frame). Guarding the plethora of pedestrian centers will allow him to roam more defensively, and their offense would be deadly with a floor spacing PF next to him. 

 

[elcheato]

https://twitter.com/mcten/status/598141484789960704
 
The man of a thousand words 

 

[CameronCrazy06]

I still think it makes the most sense to have Davis as the center long-term (assuming he continues to add to his frame). Guarding the plethora of pedestrian centers will allow him to roam more defensively, and their offense would be deadly with a floor spacing PF next to him. 

AKA Ryan Anderson? Haha

Nola will contest no matter what point I make here. Their offense was good but nowhere near "deadly" levels

 

[CameronCrazy06]

And bware whether you like to admit it or not Redick is a guy who has guarded harden consistently well over the past few years. He's pretty good at staying in front, not fouling, and making him hit tough shots overtop

 

[jonathanlambert33]

https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/598103633293619201

I think it's possible that LeBron just isn't the athlete he once was and while he is highly skilled, he just isn't the superb athlete he once was and it's hurting his game.

 

[elcheato]

I think it's possible that LeBron just isn't the athlete he once was and while he is highly skilled, he just isn't the superb athlete he once was and it's hurting his game.

I don't think there is much of a debate about that. He certainly isn't as explosive. But I think this has more to do with having less floor spacing, and going against a great ISO defense team, which just frustrates me, because he doesn't have to play this way. 

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I still think it makes the most sense to have Davis as the center long-term (assuming he continues to add to his frame). Guarding the plethora of pedestrian centers will allow him to roam more defensively, and their offense would be deadly with a floor spacing PF next to him. 

That's what I like about Asik, he can play a little over half the game and still allow AD to get 20+ minutes a night at C. I think that's ideal.

Then obviously the floor spacer is Ryno, who even when he isn't hitting shots he's still a huge threat and helps the offense tremendously. Ryno played 360 minutes with Asik on the court and AD on the bench and he shot 27% from three in those minutes. So with Ryno shooting bricks and Asik who is a complete non-factor offensively the Pelicans still scored 103.9 points per 100 possessions (102.5 per is league average) and that's because of the spacing he brings. The guards were incredibly efficient. Reke 57 ts%, Gordon 58% and Jrue 60%. All very good to elite. AD feels that impact as well.

The guy is just so bad defensively though. I'm tired of these one trick ponys.

 

[BwareDWare94]

The thing about Ryno is that New Orleans can find a less lethal floor spacer who happens to do everything else markedly better, so in essence they'd get a significantly better player. It doesn't matter how much you score if your on-court presence is the main reason you lose a game 3 after a 20 point 4th quarter lead. Ryan Anderson is a problem even when his shots are going in.

 

[cruzg24]

https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/598103633293619201

Thats what I was saying! Man nobody ever listens to me.....

If Pau is out for the rest of the series then Cavs in 6.

 

[elcheato]

Maybe I misinterpreted what you said previously, but I think you made it seem like a coaching problem, when it's basically a LeBron problem. 

 

But it's better to have him than not have him, so it's whatever, I guess. 

 

[cruzg24]

Maybe I misinterpreted what you said previously, but I think you made it seem like a coaching problem, when it's basically a LeBron problem. 

 

But it's better to have him than not have him, so it's whatever, I guess.

Its not a coaching problem if LBJ isnt listening to him. I love Lue pulling Blatt when he was trying to call that TO. And then the part where Blatt called for LBj to inbound the ball and he said "umm, no we aint doing that."

Lebron pretty much runs whatever he wants and he needs to learn real quick that he isnt the same player and cant run those isos against good defensive teams. You just have 4 other guys standing around and they cant get into a rythym like that.

 

[BwareDWare94]

So what are your guys' opinions on Blatt? I think he's done an amazing job considering the microscope he's under.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

AKA Ryan Anderson? Haha

Nola will contest no matter what point I make here. Their offense was good but nowhere near "deadly" levels

When you can put Jrue, Reke, Ryno, and Davis on the court together the Pels offense is very deadly. Actually a little better than what the Warriors put out there offensively. Problem is the Pelicans can't match GS's defense, not even somewhat.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

So what are your guys' opinions on Blatt? I think he's done an amazing job considering the microscope he's under.

Liked him until I learned he wanted LeBron inbounding the ball at the end of game 4, and now I think he's a moron

 

[Pugz]

i can see why he'd want lebron to inbound but you just cant do that in that situation.

 

[elcheato]

Liked him until I learned he wanted LeBron inbounding the ball at the end of game 4, and now I think he's a moron

LeBron's shot chart so far vs. the Bulls

 

 

He's the Cavs best passer, that's the rationale. I would have been completely find with an inbound play set up for a JR Smith jumper. Even with Kyrie hobbled, I trusted him with a stand still jumper if they could get him open.