I thought LMA played a lot better in that regard in this game. He was cutting to the basket a lot more instead of just waiting for the pass for the jumper. It'll be interesting to see if they continue to improve on that aspect of the O or go back to just taking jumpers.
Not a comment on you personally, guy. Your argument wasn't a very strong one. Defense has nothing to do with being a jump-shooting team. The Bulls did fine as a perimeter-oriented team on offense, they certainly didn't play inside-out offense. The Showtime Lakers didn't, the Pistons (of either vintage) didn't, the Celtics (of '80s or '00s vintage) didn't. Teams play to the strengths of their talent, and if the talent is good enough, they are elite. The team is among the best in the league, offensively. Their problem is defense. If they defend like this, they'll be elite as a jump-shooting team, because they're good at it. And that "chance" is based on shooting percentages, and the team is very good at shooting the ball. Their offensive efficiency is great. Inside scoring is great. The team doesn't currently have an inside scoring presence, so they should continue to play to the strengths of their players, which is shooting high-percentage jumpers. If Oden develops into a consistent inside scoring presence, the team will alter their game plan accordingly. They don't have the defense to win a championship. If they played strong defense, their jump shots do fall consistently enough to win seven games series and a championship.
My Oden posts are in relation to (A) him not playing when cleared, (B) him making dumb fouls, and (C) posters who say that Nate should be fired for not running the offense through him. I've said nothing outside of these three topics about the guy other than to say I won't consider the rumors about his off-the-court habits valid. My one consistent meme about him is that the team is much better with him on the court.
He's been going to the basket much more often this year than his previous seasons ... he's actually got a semi-bankable running hook shot which is something he never had before.
I like that hook shot, I'd like to see him go to it as a primary move and develop a spin as a counter-move. The fadeaway really needs to be a last resort or at least used most often when he's up against a good defender. Against the likes of Bonner, on the other hand...
The wave was great! Whoever started it up in the 300 level, props to you for keeping on trying to get it going when it was sort of a sleepless second half. The wave must've rolled around the arena like five times, and I got to watch it on TV after I came home and even saw some of the Blazers standing up and that had me busting up laughing. Good stuff. And if anyone has a chance to watch the game on the club 200 level, it's quite the experience. Free food, all you can eat, all game long... man, that's the life right there. Great victory, 37-22... print those tickets baby!
