GT: Wizards @ Nets - 01/03/21, 6pm EST
Posted: Sun Jan 3, 2021 8:18 pm
The first principle of winning is to keep losing teams losing.
We have an opportunity to sharpen our execution against a hungry but hapless Washington squad. Winning by 20 won't impress me, and unfortunately, losing by 10 won't shock me. The real objective should be to display a consistent effort of both sides of the ball, all game long. If we get up 30 in the first half, will we let off the gas and bake in more bad habits? Conversely, if we face another early deficit, do we resort to hero ball instead of playing through and for one another?
Russell will be a handful, and my guess is he'll be motivated to upstage his old mate Kevin. Bryant has feasted against our bigs in the past, and Bertans can abuse our late, lackluster closeouts. If they're smart, they will deploy Bonga to shadow Kyrie, and handcuff our signal caller every minute he's in the game. I must stress that this is an awful team, and they have a real shot at taking us to the woodshed in our own house.
We need Durant to be the MVP, they don't have anyone built to slow him down.
We need Kyrie to have more FT's and assists than shots. That means slashing to the paint, and giving the defense to either foul or leave teammates wide open.
We need Caris to get the 2nd unit firing on all cylinders, not just call his own number.
We need Jarrett to remember the posters that Collins made with him, and resolve not to let anyone else in his paint. He has to finish through contact, and strike fear in the hearts of opposing teams.
If we can get anything else from the supporting cast, great. Joe could stay in front of Troy and draw fouls on players aggressively chasing him off the 3pt line.
TP could simplify his offense and defend with awareness. DJ could... try. Regardless, if our Big 4 can do those things, we'll be good.
We have an opportunity to sharpen our execution against a hungry but hapless Washington squad. Winning by 20 won't impress me, and unfortunately, losing by 10 won't shock me. The real objective should be to display a consistent effort of both sides of the ball, all game long. If we get up 30 in the first half, will we let off the gas and bake in more bad habits? Conversely, if we face another early deficit, do we resort to hero ball instead of playing through and for one another?
Russell will be a handful, and my guess is he'll be motivated to upstage his old mate Kevin. Bryant has feasted against our bigs in the past, and Bertans can abuse our late, lackluster closeouts. If they're smart, they will deploy Bonga to shadow Kyrie, and handcuff our signal caller every minute he's in the game. I must stress that this is an awful team, and they have a real shot at taking us to the woodshed in our own house.
We need Durant to be the MVP, they don't have anyone built to slow him down.
We need Kyrie to have more FT's and assists than shots. That means slashing to the paint, and giving the defense to either foul or leave teammates wide open.
We need Caris to get the 2nd unit firing on all cylinders, not just call his own number.
We need Jarrett to remember the posters that Collins made with him, and resolve not to let anyone else in his paint. He has to finish through contact, and strike fear in the hearts of opposing teams.
If we can get anything else from the supporting cast, great. Joe could stay in front of Troy and draw fouls on players aggressively chasing him off the 3pt line.
TP could simplify his offense and defend with awareness. DJ could... try. Regardless, if our Big 4 can do those things, we'll be good.
