Sean and Bill were comparing team stats during one point in the game, and said that 93% of our opponent's points come from the 3 and the paint (first in the league) whereas 80% of our points come from these areas (last in the league). Sure it stands as a glaring contrast, but while we can’t start next season with two starters not shooting 3s, we are also a team in a different stage of our development, more of one in transition with players out of position and players with more traditional games which impacts that result. That the 93% works for their team is a testament to having the right players for their system. We’ve reworked our system to best suit the best players, and made a switch to a more transition-oriented style from the bubble onward.
We rank dead last in the league in attempted 3s at 28.7 per game (Utah tops the league with a whopping fifteen more attempts than us), and we are 20th in efficiency at 35.5%. We didn’t reach either bar. So losing Derrick who takes the most 3s on the team (and is also our best defender) while Patty is struggling mightily with his shot while we struggle with the hardest schedule in the league is a LOT to deal with. A LOT.
We’ve dealt with a ton of changes throughout this season, and the wear of them is rearing now. The starters looked more organized and locked in to start the game and we kept pace until the bench came in. A 31-26 deficit was inundated by the deluge that was a 17-0 run for them. We created good shots, but just missed a ton of them, and on the D end we gave up way too much space on their P&Rs. DJ is surprisingly getting caught trying to get over screens and so he gets blown by drivers time and again. This forces our big to defend two players and multiple options. DJ stays with the play from behind, but it’s already a disadvantage and unfair for the player stuck with the bulk of the work.
When Derrick anticipates the screen, he angles his body parallel to the screener to slide around it. He also takes small, quick steps on the balls of his feet so as to stay with drivers. Even when beaten by a first step, Derrick most often at least stays on the driver’s hip to disrupt shots and pressure ball handlers into mistakes. DJ, on the other hand, tends to take a big step over screens and time and again he’s behind. He was a team-worst 30 and shot only 2-6 in 19 minutes of play.
Joining him in low +/- was Lonnie at -23 and shooting only 3-11, 1-4 from 3. He did lead the team with 5 assists which is as much a positive for his developing game as much as it is a negative for what the starters managed to do: DeMar had 3, and our new back court of DJ and Devin combined for 5 assists.
Our bench was once reliable in stabilizing the up and down starts from the starters, but it has fallen off noticeably. Rudy has played well in trying to give us an extra boost, but tonight he and Patty were each 0-1 in 7 minutes of play. Oof.
Keldon struggled with 2-10, himself in an efficiency funk. Lonnie has been in and out of one throughout the season. I did like that Lonnie kept the ball rather than deferring and passing it to Rudy and he made good decisions with the ball be it driving, hitting the outside shot, making great passes. It doesn’t take a squint too far into the future to see Lonnie becoming a three-level threat. Right now, channelling his freaky athleticism and efficiency are key.
Outside of Devin, none of the starters scored in double digits. Jakob was efficient but he’s maddeningly soft finishing at the rim. A 7’C should almost never get blocked nor should he miss any shots half a bloody foot away from the basket because he refuses to dunk. It used to be that and FT’s that bothered me the most about his game, and so now it’s the mindset of aggression that hopefully sets in for good. Very frustrating when he gives up points through lack of hustle.
Devin finally looked more comfortable out there, getting to open spots making good adjustments on the fly like his high arching shot just at the rim to get it over their shot blocking C, running out on the fast break, making good cuts, etc. It’s both a tough spot to fill and a great opportunity in which to grow.
Luka actually led us in scoring with 15 on 6-14. It was good to see him putting together his game. Pop said post-game that right now Luka is playing by rote, but he’s come along well from the G-League, makes more streamlined drives, and is taking his shots; 2-4 from 3 means he was out best scorer from beyond the arc as well.
Tre settled in better, too. He made a beautiful pin point alley oop pass in transition to Lonnie on the right side for a huge dunk and was a pest defensively. Shooting 5-8, 1-1 from 3 for 11 points is a solid contribution. He’s a pure point guard and you can see his unselfish play making as he’s working his way in setting up teammates. He had that great dunk for one of our few highlights.
The young guys actually did a solid job protecting the rim and not allowing easy drives. They rotated, doubled, pressured the ball, and rebounded well. In terms of development, these minutes are great for our young guys. In terms of what we need to improve, well there’s a list of repeated mistakes – not boxing out, sagging to much on P&Rs allowing way too much space for too open shots, and our dreaded 3 issue. Despite the roster in progress and missing a true PF which we’ll need address in the off-season, these are things we can still control. Let’s hope some reserves kick in and we find the energy to compete.
(though I'm crying inside a little)