rzzzzz wrote:Bum Adebayo wrote:Ah yes, I agree with that, but it is Brett we are talking about, anything that deviates from "modern era" style of play is a no go for him to even think about it. He prefers to put Embiid camping outside of the 3pt line.
i can only hope that Jimmy stays and continues to lean on Brett to loosen up and play to his personnel. probably too much to hope for, but it was a miracle that Brett made the moves he did the end of this year.
i agree with this. We should respect the way the game is called today, but all the best strategists insist on flexibility--to know when the general rules don't fit a particular context. The Warriors have adopted the modern game, clearly. Yet Steve Kerr understands that, after seeking a 3pt or shot at the rim for 18 seconds, an open mid-range shot with 5 seconds or less on the shot clock is more efficient than an off-balance three pointer with a hand in the face or a 24 second violation--especially when playing against the best defensive teams in the league during the playoffs.
Igoudala won a Finals MVP exploiting that gap.
Conversely, Tobias Harris seemed to still be trying to fit in a system that was more rigid than Doc Rivers' in Los Angeles. Both he and Jimmy reduced their mid-range games to fit in with us, and should have been rewarded with more freedom during crunch time.
As for the post-up game, I've watched with sorrow how the NBA has changed the interpretation of rules to exclude the post game in favor of the three-pointer, incrementally for over 25 years. They thought it was boring when Charles Barkley isolated himself one-on -one with the other 4 players on the other side of the floor, so they made up "illegal offense" They added the 5 second dribbling violation.
Then Shaq came along and still dominated under the old rules that almost never called offensive fouls in the post. Karl Malone wojld foul out of the first half of every game nowadays. He would elbow you in the face and itd be a defensive foul on you. But then came Shane Battier and Vlade Divac, the "flop artists". In the 2001 Finals, Dikembe Mutombo never flopped once, and we lost because Shaq couldnt be stopped Since then, its become cool to flop in the post and draw offensive fouls. Now little guys straight up low bridge guys already in the air and get the charge call.
All that's to say, Joel had Kyle Lowry in the post on a switch in the 4th qtr during game 7, and couldn't really do anything because he knew, we all knew, Lowry was going to set him up. On another occasion, Lowry ripped Joel for the steal.
So on one hand, I understand Brett Brown using Joel on the arc more than folks would like, because a) the inherent risks of foul trouble/turnovers, b) he can hit those shots and spread the floor for a point guard who can't shoot, c) the easiness with which Joel can get back to anchor the defense, d) and the fact that Joel clearly prefers a face-up one on one style of attacking his man off the dribble (he said long ago he thought of himself as a guard and it shows.)
Yet, while I accept those general facts, I think , on the other hand, that Joel's dribbling forays from the arc put a lot of stress on his knees and back--especially when he has to 'eurostep'. Because he hasnt played basketball as long as others, he jumps to soon or too late sometimes and lands awkwardly far to often for my comfort.
For me the solution is three-fold:
1) A simple jump hook. At his size, both height and girth, Joel should be unstoppable with a left shoulder hook, the kind Al Horford uses against him.
2) Brett Brown should allow him his mid-range 15 footer, because HIS efficiency there is off the charts. Recall his torching of Julius Randle for 46. Once he popped Randle in the face three times with the jimmy, he could do anything he wanted with him: Fouls for reaching, had him in the air going for pump fakes, off the dribble dunks. In other words, Joel should get the rock whenever and wherever he is open, depending on how the defense is playing him.
3) Get Joel easier buckets in pick and roll/pick and pop situations. Doing so avoids the offensive foul/turnover conundrum, Joel need not bang around establishing post position, and we can run it of of BebnSimmons as well because Joel can bring his man out to the paint.
Ben Simmons cannot initiate the pick and roll because he cannot shoot. Markelle Fultz was supposed to be the solution there. But we know what's happened since. TJ McConnnell, nope. We finally used Jimmy Butler there, but the 4th quarter of game 7 showed his limitations at making pocket passes. It is imperative we sign or draft someone adept at it. Maybe even Vasilije Micic?