Quote:
The problem is, once the playoffs hit, the Pistons seem uninterested in executing Saunders’ offense. You can see it unfolding in the early rounds and it ruins the Pistons’ chances as the competition gets tougher: They refuse to attack, make quick decisions or run a scheme that gets any more complicated than your typical, Larry Brown-esque, screen-and-roll attack.
Blame Saunders all you want for the drop-off, but I’m going to give the players a little discredit for refusing to initiate what worked for them in the regular season. They know exactly what they’re doing, and the results have spoken quite clearly.
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My theory is that the defenses get tougher and scout you better. Rip sometimes would curl into a trap or a big would show hard on CB and he couldn't penetrate so you burn up some clock then its under 10, what are you going to run. opposing teams will counter screen, bump, trap and try to take you off what you want to do. They'll make it so your best shot is a 20 footer and you beat them with jumpers while they attack and draw fouls or grab offensive boards.
That's not letting players off the hook because the bottom line is that you have to execute against adversity.