You're operating on the premise of handing out shot attempts like they're candy bars on Halloween. For those guys to get good shoots you need CJ and Dame to be aggressive, and sometimes that aggression will result in 20+ attempts for each. You're acting like the combined 50 shots by those two last night is what lost them the game.. Even though they shot 44% combined. (Not great, but not awful)
I stated up front that I don't care about the loss. They lost because of poor defense. My points are these: 1) I don't like watching teams where two players dominate the ball and the number of shots--even if they are contenders 2) I don't think Dame and CJ jacking up 20+ attempts each develops other players 3) I don't think Dame and CJ jacking up 20+ shots will lead to many wins 4) I don't think Dame and CJ jacking up 20+ shots will keep the fresh by the end of the game when we likely need them most 5) I don't think Dame and CJ jacking up 20+ shots will enable other players to get into the flow of the game Curry and Klay both averaged 17 shots/game last season. That left room for three other players to get 8+ shots and a whole bunch to get 5+. Last night only one non-pg got more than 6 attempts. Right now Dame and CJ are not as good as Curry and Klay, so I don't expect to see them exceed those numbers generally. FWIW, Curry then bumped up to 21 shots in the playoffs, which I would expect Dame (and only Dame) to do also.
To back you up, Dame/CJ scored a combined 61 points on essentially 56 possessions (50 shots plus 12 free throws). The rest of the team scored 48 points on a combined approx. 43 possessions (35 shots, 17 free throws). The efficiency figures were basically equal.
There were definitely some late possessions where CJ or Dame passed the ball off to a teammate for a good look, only to have the ball sent right back to them. Your premise is correct - we can't have that many shots coming from our two guards - but I don't believe it was all the fault of the two guards.
Curry and Klay also had Iggy, David Lee, Harrison Barnes, Barbosa, Bogut and so forth, while they also sat out some minutes in garbage time. You have failed to address the points I have made that contradict yours so I'm done with this discussion.
And you weren't expecting this why? Listen, this team doesn't have a lot of experienced players. I don't know why anyone would think otherwise. totally expected.
I don't believe the loss was the fault of the guards either. If we had Aminu or Harkless for the full game then we might have won. Defense lost the game. And it is not completely on Dame and CJ to distribute shots. Part of it is them, part of it is coaching, part of it is the rest of the team stepping up and being aggressive. It's not about fault to me. It is just that this season is supposed to be about developing this team and these players in a ball movement offense. If Dame and CJ take 20+ shots then none of that is really accomplished. I don't expect that this is the beginning of a trend. All I am saying is that if it is the start of a trend then I don't want to watch it.
I'm not sure what your points were. Replace Iggy . . . Bogut with Harkless, Leonard, Vonleh, Aminu, Plumlee, Davis and I don't see the difference. I would argue that the Curry and Klay gap between them and the rest of their team is greater than what Portland has right now. If Curry and Klay can get others involved, so can Dame and CJ. I think we are probably not really that far apart. This was one game and an unusual one at that. Dame and CJ started hot and finished cold. The supporting cast never got up to speed to fill the void and they lost. I am pretty sure that you don't want Dame and CJ to average 20+ all season either. Certainly they will have games where they are hot and should take more shots. But, even when they are hot, I think it is important to recognize that they may not stay that way and make sure to involve others in case they get cold or tired.
Agreed, and I hope this was just an anomaly. My main concern is that usually the last game of preseason starts to look more like what the team plans on doing in the regular season. Hopefully that isn't the case.
Your comparing a high from Dame and CJ with an average of the GS players. Curry and Klay have games they shoot over 20 shots.
If you don't see the difference between the finals MVP who has lead teams in scoring over 20ppg and Mo Harkless there's not much I can tell you.
Yes, and I said that I expect they will have nights with 20+ shots and that was okay. I don't really care what Dame averages, as long as the two of them aren't taking 50% of the teams shots. I hope and expect they will not unless the goal is to have Dame in the national spotlight, get a good lottery pick and increase CJ's trade value. Then I don't care as long as I don't have to watch it.
So people are picking on me for pointing out one game, but we are pulling out Iggy's finals performance (compared to the rest of the playoffs and regular season)? Over the regular season, I think that Golden State's 3-10 are any less or more deserving than Portland's 3-10 of getting shot attempts. This is even more true in the regular season and for a team that is supposed to be developing 3-10, which was my premise from the start.
Did you NOT think this was going to happen? I want my best players shooting. Flashes of brilliance and excitement and tons of losses is on this seasons menu. Sent from my Baller-Ass 5.5" iPhone 6+......... FAMS
Didn't watch the game but I'd assume when one or two players are averaging 20+ shots there are a couple factors. 1) Possible ball hog scenario 2) Defense has keyed in on role players, shutting them down, forcing the 'stars' to win the game themselves, forcing hero ball 3) Those are the only two guys on the roster that can create their own shot 4) A combination of the above 5) Aminu is out, Henderson is out, Harkless missed part of the game. There was a reason numerous people were saying Dame could be a league leader in scoring; him and McCollum are the only shot creators; thus, if we face a team with a solid team defense, we have to put the ball into the hands of people who can create shots for themselves or others. However, if the team defense is solid, they will not create shots for others as they won't run doubles at Lillard/McCollum and force them to beat them by playing hero ball, something that is a common defensive tactic against LBJ. I'd also reserve judgement for when we have Henderson back. That said, if this becomes a trend that lasts for more than a couple games when healthy, I'd question our teams commitment to success.
I think this is where most people disagree with you; speaking for myself, I do. Golden states 3-10 are more deserving of shot attempts because they are better players than our 3-10 players are, right now. If we had Andre Igoudala, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes surrounding Dame + CJ, I doubt we are talking about how many shots Dame and CJ are taking right now. Part of that is players trusting in themselves to shoot (and not get yelled at, pulled, etc for taking a bad shot), knowing when to shoot, and having the confidence and consistency to go out there and do it every night; so, in summary, Golden State's 3-10 are entitled to more shots because they have proven consistency, while our guys have yet to show consistency. If you want shots and plays ran for you, show consistency. Also, if we are talking our #3 (right now is..Harkless?) and their number 3 (Igoudala) if Igoudala comes to you in the 4th Q and says, hey Steph, ya know, I got this matchup. I think you trust a 10+ year nba veteran over a guy who hasn't done shit in the league. Yes he should still get opportunties, but he needs to make the most of those opportunities before demanding 10att/per game. Show consistency, get shots.
