I agree with you right there. Hey it's not like this is some sort of "magic pill" that immediately turns things around, but Nate really needs to focus on how he can keep Oden out of foul trouble. Don't make only Oden have to figure it out for himself.
The best way to keep Oden in the game? We will just have him stand outside the no charge zone and never move, with his hands straight up. Their will be no argument if calls are charges or not, because he will have been there since the beginning of the game, but we will have to be tricky in order to avoid defensive 3 seconds calls. Besides having the downside of playing 4 on 5 on offense, he should be able to stay in the game for the whole time, only removing himself from the court at half time. .
I just watched Oden's fouls in the last 4 games. About half are due to a guard breaking down the defense. The other half are a combination of over the back, moving screens, or offensive fouls. Most of them appear to be due to a lack of footwork and should be avoidable.
Definately. This should not be put entirely on the perimeter defenders. Oden makes a lot of stupid fouls. That's one of the reasons I'd like to the team let him know he is more important to us than just as a rebounder and defender. Oden is overly active on that end causing him some silly fouls. I also think having Joel here is a reason he gets more fouls than he should. Knowing we have a player that can come in and still provided those things.
I completely agree. Even if you don't buy the "League is rigged" arguments, there is really no question that scorers are favored and get the benefit of the doubt on both ends. If Oden was putting up 18 and 15 (he could easily do this with a couple more shots) then he would get less goal tends and less ticky tack fouls. The league wants him to be a force supposedly, if that's the case the best way for him to make his mark is to score a bit more. McMillan is using him wrong. For every turnover he gets, he puts a foul on an opposing big man. Over time he will get better, but only if he gets in-game practice.
This one is easy: Get Greg to learn to go straight-up for the block instead of bringing his arm down towards the ball. Yes, better defense from the guards would be a nice and future step, but Greg not coming down and whacking guys' arms can be done with no other changes to the team.
For the record, Greg will be sitting with 2 fouls before we hit the 8:00 mark in the first quarter. Pops isn't stupid and TD does that arm swing after he shoots.
My thoughts as well. Stars don't foul out. Get him 5 power dunks a night and they'll let him stay in the game.
I don't agree. i think a vast majority of his fouls come on the defensive end in help situations. I think better perimeter defense would really help him. I also think him learning how to contest shots without fouling would help. And I think the refs not being assholes would help. If anything, I think getting him involved on offense is beneficial for both him and the team. It seems that when he is involved on offense he is energized and plays better D. Not Lazy D.
I agree - spoken like a true former coach! I think to make this happen consistently they need a more physical PG. Somebody who can get through picks, somebody who's can pressure the ball and force the ball to one side of the court. I've seen Blake try and pressure the ball in the back court and he just doesn't have the speed or physicality to force the dribbler in any direction. Miller doesn't have the legs - can you imagine 'Dre picking up Tony Parker full court tonight? He's just blow right around him. This pick-n-roll defensive problem has been ongoing for us. Our guards have to be able to get through picks - point blank. And when they don't, I'd rather see us giving up open jumpers (at least early in the game) than our bigs picking up cheap fouls. Don't get me wrong, I hate giving up open looks. But the foul trouble is killing us. Not to mention we're often in the penalty half way through the quarter and giving the other team too many FT's.
Bayless is the ideal guy for this. He is strong, and with some consistant playing time, he should be able to guide a player to a side. Have Martell or LA jump out to help, and then "give" the other team open 20 foot jumpers, like they do to us. Most teams don't have 3 of the best offensive rebounders in the league on their roster like Portland does. We should be able to control the rebound with Oden and Roy, with LA coming in to get long rebounds with Webster. If we pushed the ball off misses, the other team wouldn't be able to send as many people to the glass either. If they get the ball to a player and choose to set up instead of taking the open shot, then switch to zone. It's like basketball 101, and I don't understand why our coach doesn't utilize this method?
I've always liked Bayless's man defense, but he takes too many stupid fouls and can't fight through a screen for shit.
Because his genius is beyond mere mortal reckoning. Witness the last 6 minutes of the Hawks game and his decision to continue to start Blake. I'm sure we will wisely stay away from LA or GO in the post as well. Everyone knows the game is won or lost with 20 foot jumpers. /sarcasm
Bayless is our ONLY player who can fight through a screen. One of the problems I always saw last year was that his teammates were so used to jumping the pick and roll because of Blakey and Sergio that they often colided with Jerryd, who could get through the pick. As for the fouls, you are right. I think with some consistant playing time, and some familiarity witht he officials, he should be fine.
