<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In general, playoff adjustments are overrated. Each coach may make one or two strategic changes in a seven-game series, but usually the outcome depends on players making shots and making plays. In the Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers series, however, both teams are having such a difficult time scoring that an adjustment or two could make the difference. And with his team trailing 2-1, it is up to Rick Carlisle to tweak his game plan to come up with something to give his team an edge. The Pacers have had trouble scoring because their post advantage has been negated by Detroit's defense. Most teams in the Eastern Conference have been forced to double-team Jermaine O'Neal on the block, which has led to open shots for his teammates. But with Rasheed Wallace able to cover O'Neal one-on-one, Indiana can't rely on swinging the ball out of the double-team to create offense. As a result, Reggie Miller can't get open looks and the Pacers are forced to rely on Ron Artest to create the offense. But he is struggling to get his shot off over the long arms of Tayshaun Prince. And when Artest does get by Prince, Ben Wallace is usually waiting for him at the rim, which is why Artest is shooting a miserable percentage in this series. Carlisle realizes this and would like to find a way to help his team score. But unless he can trade for Kobe Bryant in the next day or two, that's going to be difficult. The fact is, Indiana can't win this series offensively, but it can win it with defense, which is one of the team's strengths. The adjustment Carlisle must make is to shut down Richard Hamilton. Hamilton has taken advantage of the older Miller and has been the only consistent offensive threat in the series. By the time Indiana puts Artest on Hamilton, Rip usually has a nice rhythm going, and it's much more difficult to stop a great scorer once he gets started. Carlisle could start the NBA's defensive player of the year on Hamilton, get control of him early and not let him get off. But that move comes with a cost. When Carlisle puts Artest on Hamilton, Miller is forced to guard Prince. Larry Brown and the Pistons have exploited that matchup.</div> <div align="center">Full Story</div> Pretty interesting article from Steve Kerr if you ask me. He suggests that the Indiana Pacers would be better off if Reggie Miller came off the bench. Personally, I disagree with this. Having Reggie Miller come of the bench would provide Rip Hamilton with tons of open shots. Regardless, of Reggie Miller age, he is the only one on the Pacers squad that can guard Richard Hamilton. Reggie Miller is basically guarding a younger version of himself. But that wouldn't be only problem. The Pacers would also lose that veteran leadership that Reggie Miller posses. He doesn’t even have to take a shot, but having him on the court, and his presence makes a difference. But on the flip side, if you would have a player like Al Harrington replace Miller in the starting line-up, it would give the Pacers better offense (Which is something that they lack).
