Quote:
Originally Posted by lapiston
If we had more motion, we could still get open looks or drive and kick out. We could drive and pull up. If we had the other three guys in the flow of the offense, we could get enough points from them. But we don't have a plan B. We don't adjust. The playoffs are a string of adjustments. Rest assured, the good teams will be coming at Rip and Billips. Our adjustment shouldn't be to send in Rip one on one. In a pinch (shot clock) yes, but not as a planned option.
Notice when Murray is on, he makes the offense work. He gets into the lane and is not afraid to take the short two. We need Billips and Rip to do this as well. Why Murray doesn't always play the same way, I don't know. Dyss has been great as he stretches their interior D. Notice he does this without shooting the three ball as Sheed does. Dice now finishes around the hoop as well. |
Excellent assessment and it will be the opponents that stick to their own plan B. The man to man will run through CWEBB and this creates known and unaccountable options for the piston wings. Dyess is the key here because he is so strong and accurate from 15-18 and then is tough around the rim going for the offensive boards (and the only one I might add). This also helps out CWEBB (but hurts Sheed) because it takes very little mobility out of him to be around the paint-circle. Murray can break everything open, because he is the only one quick enough to break outside of the defense. He will be a very big key in these playoff.
When the opponents zone, then we get back to the jump shooting team. Sheed floats to the outside when he sets up P&R for CB and then stays there looking for his 30 ft. shot. Tay does his moves to the center for a possible jump hook and if not, settles for a long jump shot. Rip will do his curl and or drive toward the middle for an easier shot. We have seen this pattern before and if they hit their shots, then all for the better. Unfortunately, ever thing and everyone tightens up, so good defense is your most solid base and creates unexpected offensive threats.
Flips greatest challenge is to substain movement out of this team, because this makes them much tougher on defense. Delfino and Murray (along with some JMAX) will be key players because they are your movement. It will be interesting to see how the interchanges mix when people get into foul trouble and the sets are changed because of different match ups. Most coaches have a mind's eye toward match ups. The strategic ones, come playoff time, think more of continued and consistent patterns flows. Those that are deep, like SA and the Pistons, have the advantage.