Or as close to it as possible? Chris Haynes seemed mystified on Talkin' Ball last night that OKC was not doubling LMA down the stretch of the game. No mystery here for me, being that the other 4 guys on the court we're Batum, Matthews, Wright and Lillard. It's pick your poison.
I think at crunch time in a playoff game we'll go small and have 4 shooters around LMA. That will be tough to D.
Yes we have a weakness on offense. Lillard/Mo need to be able to penetrate and kick back. If they can't ...it hurts us. One encouraging thing last night was they were calling fouls on OKC's big up top when Lillard tried to go around them. The "hip check' rule should work to our advantage if called. I think that is a new point of emphasis this year. (or is that in college ball?) I hope so anyway. I must admit I thought Westbrook would lock down Lillard more. But we were screening well to get him space. The one thing we can not do (Like we did in the first half) is make lazy passes on the perimeter. That needs to be cleaned up. Especially with the 2nd unit. And Nic needs to reconsider passing the ball to our bigs feet. His bounce passes are being fumbled. Other than that he played great.
I thought OKC defended us very well last night. It just happened that LMA had an unreal 3rd quarter. But aside from that our offense looked like crap - very little ball movement and a lot of tough shots. Hopefully we get back to swinging the ball and moving players from one side of the floor to the other. I do appreciate LMA trying to do a bit more in the paint - that'll really help in the 4th, even though last night we started jacking up jumpers after getting OKC into the penalty early.
LMA had an unreal 4th more so. It was sick. Also, LMA was taking a lot of those jumpers, and making them. So, I was okay with it. He was hot as fuck. lol.
In the 3rd quarter he took all jumpers. In the 4th he mixed it up a bit more. But in the 4th, during a very tight stretch, we came down and launched 3s on several possessions rather than attacking the defense that was already in the penalty. And they weren't good 3s taken after the ball had swung around - they were single-pass 3s that were rushed. Luckily OKC wasn't able to capitalize.
OKC definitely influenced our three point shooters and played pretty well. LMA just happened to go on an incredible hot streak from mid-range and he was passing well enough that I don't think OKC could have afforded to double him if they were committed to covering the shooters on the perimeter.
That's what I was thinking as well. I think they were saying "Let's give Aldridge his and take away the three". If Aldridge wasn't deadly, the strategy would have paid off.
I agree I think one of LA's biggest improvements this year has been his passing. He use to have a really tough time when doubled or reading defenses. He's to the point in his career he's seen it all and knows how to handle each situation. Funny how much easier the game is when it slows down for you.
No, we are not undefendable. Doubling Aldridge and closing off the paint is how you defend Portland. Teams have tried so far though, and while successful in spurts haven't used it for a full game.
I have no fucking clue what I am talking about, so you are probably right. View my posts like others and just think opposite and you will be fine I will figure this damn game of basketball out at some point and come in with the best takes ever. How Melo is awesome, how Leonard will be the franchise center one day, how we need a defensive coach to be a good team, how Olshey has done nothing in the past without the help of the NBA. I'll get there. Keep a candle lit in the window
we are definitely not undefendable. On the contrary we are primarily a jump shooting team. There will be nights when we don't have to be defended, we'll just miss a lot.
How about trying to have a basketball discussion without (a) getting your panties in a wad, and (b) using the victim card?
Phoenix did bring a baseline double team on LMA, but I don't recall them shutting down the lane. I thought they did a pretty good job of trying to limit our 3's instead.
There was a play in the game where one of the defenders (I think it was Mo) went to help out on the block when LA was posting up. LA kicked to Mo for 3...blam. Just beautiful basketball.
