We've been running the offense through Pau the last 5 games, with him initiating sets in the high post to start a high pick-n-roll or finding off-ball cutters with driving opportunities off of closeouts . This is mostly out of necessity since we have no other way to credibly play offense. But during this time the team has made noticeable improvements that we've wanted to see for the last year and a half: better ball movement, no egregious ball-stopping isolations, accurate shooting, and consistent, confident play out of role players that we need to perform well in order to advance in the playoffs. During this time here's how the team has performed in certain offensive metrics, with the rank in parentheses for how the Bulls would fare against the league as a whole if this pace was maintained: Ast/G: 28 (2) Ast %: 68% (2) 3P%: 40% (2) ORtg: 108 (4) Obviously the team we see now is not a credible threat in the playoffs for reasons we all know. Doug isn't going to shoot us into the Conference Finals. We need Jimmy and Derrick if we're going to be dangerous. But we need Jimmy and Derrick playing a particular way if we want a shot at getting past Cleveland in the CF's (assuming we make it there). Maybe keeping Pau as a point center when Jimmy and Derrick return is the best way to maintain our offensive continuity while still allowing our high usage guys to do what they do best. Pau would score less but he'd still have the ball in his hands a lot so hopefully he wouldn't complain. Thoughts?
Now. Right now. At this moment it's time for Butler to show that leadership he was mumbling about earlier this season by subjecting himself to the system, making it work, and then demanding it of the others on the team.
I tend to agree.........it's his moment to do this. However, I get the feeling he genuinely doesn't like Hoiberg that much. Also, I don't think he's a natural ball mover as a primary option, even if he's trying to play unselfishly. Reading defenses quickly enough to facilitate ball movement as the 1st option in a halfcourt set is a unique skill and I'm not sure Jimmy has it. Seems like he might genuinely need time to scan the defense. I think there's going to be a bit of behavioral inertia, even if everyone's heart is in the right place.
......which is why I like Gasol as a pseudo-PG in the half-court. I think Rose and Jimmy just have some tunnel vision when they're doing what they do best, so allowing them to be scoring guards as much as possible is the best way for the team to have its cake and eat it too.
Sorry, but this is an armchair coach thread, not an armchair GM thread. Ok then......you're Hoiberg, Jimmy's coming back in two weeks - what scheme do you try and implement when he returns?
