EC | Rd. 2| (1) Sixers vs (5) Hawks [1-1]

[jayu70]

You are neglecting why Danny Green was the primary defender on Trae, though, even through much of the second half. Doc tried to put Simmons on him and Ben immediately picked up 2 fouls. The primary defender should be Green or Thybulle while Simmons rotates over to help, but asking Ben to play him 1 on 1 isn't going to work: Trae is just too quick and will either get past him or trap Simmons into some bad fouls.

I mean, Trae Young is probably the worst defender in the NBA and he ended up with 3 fouls, while Simmons, who's an all-NBA defender, ended up with just one more (4 fouls) and Mattisse only had 2. There's a lot of fouls to be used on Trae and rough him up a little. He was too comfortable in the 1st half.

Regardless, it's foolish to guard Trae one-on-one, nobody can do it (only possible in small stretches). Atlanta will just run pick and roll all day. The defender gets blocked on the pick and Trae keeps shooting freely.

Young has to be defended by either a) trapping him or b) doubling him off a pick and roll. It'll be a collective effort for sure, but he only shot 30% from the field in the 2nd half when this strategy was implemented. You put a couple of all-NBA defenders on him and keep forcing the others to shoot like Ray Allen and break records by hitting threes like yesterday.

I think things will regress back to the mean.

Knicks tried roughing up Trae - that's not a thing.
I do agree that trapping and doubling is a better way to go, but Trae is such as exceptional passer and he has been getting doubled and trapped since he entered the NBA. This year there are just more options for him when doubled.
Hawks and Nate now have tape to prepare for the traps next game. I think it caught the young Hawks off guard. - it'll be a teaching and learning moment for the team.

[QingJames]

You are neglecting why Danny Green was the primary defender on Trae, though, even through much of the second half. Doc tried to put Simmons on him and Ben immediately picked up 2 fouls. The primary defender should be Green or Thybulle while Simmons rotates over to help, but asking Ben to play him 1 on 1 isn't going to work: Trae is just too quick and will either get past him or trap Simmons into some bad fouls.

I mean, Trae Young is probably the worst defender in the NBA and he ended up with 3 fouls, while Simmons, who's an all-NBA defender, ended up with just one more (4 fouls) and Mattisse only had 2. There's a lot of fouls to be used on Trae and rough him up a little. He was too comfortable in the 1st half.

Regardless, it's foolish to guard Trae one-on-one, nobody can do it (only possible in small stretches). Atlanta will just run pick and roll all day. The defender gets blocked on the pick and Trae keeps shooting freely.

Young has to be defended by either a) trapping him or b) doubling him off a pick and roll. It'll be a collective effort for sure, but he only shot 30% from the field in the 2nd half when this strategy was implemented. You put a couple of all-NBA defenders on him and keep forcing the others to shoot like Ray Allen and break records by hitting threes like yesterday.

I think things will regress back to the mean.

I agree with you that those are the best defensive strategies for him. Roughing him up isn't smart though, because he has such a quick release that he'll get to the line most of the time, where he shoots 89%. Hacking a player is best left for guys who can't make a free throw to save their lives, like Ben Simmons.

If they could keep him to 30% all series then that would obviously be ideal, but we can't forget that Trae isn't this elite shooter to begin with - he shot 43% on the season and a mere 34% from deep. He really kills you with his elite passing and ability to find the open man out of doubles. If he even shoots 38% on the series I think the Sixers are in trouble.

As for his bad defense, I agree again that he might be the worst defender in the NBA. But the problem is that it's easy to hide him against a team like the Sixers. As constructed, the Sixers are severely limited in their starting lineup's ability to create off the dribble. Neither Danny nor Seth can do it, and Tobias isn't too great at it either. If the Sixers can get Simmons or Embiid or Harris switched onto Trae, they can abuse him. If Trae can duck and weave and stick to Seth, the Sixers are going to have a hard time exploiting him.

[gangford]

The last two minute report is up if anyone is interested: https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0042000201

[jayu70]

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[sixers4real]

As a Sixers fan a predicted this to go 7 games with Sixers winning. I’ll stay with that.

Problem is, when the Sixers announced that Embiid is playing, they come out relaxed, not executing the way they can, and the way they should be. 17-0 caused then game.
And the Hawks were on fire in the first three quarters.

I think the Sixers will make adjustments, and play much better and more physical in game 2. But Hawks are a very good team. They are in the semis for a reason.

Can’t wait for Game 2.

[Buzzard]

Not too worried, to be honest.

1. The Hawks won't make 20 three pointers every game again. That's a franchise record from three, and barely won.
2. Danny Green and Tobias Harris won't shoot a combined 1/8 on three pointers again.
3. After defensive adjustments on Trae Young, the Sixers outscored the Hawks by 15 points altogether in the second half.

Let's see what happens on Tuesday night.

McMillan almost out coached himself by running out of timeouts. The 76ers outscored the Hawks 41 - 29 in the 4th while Nate wasted timeouts on mini runs despite being up by 15, 20 or more points. He was trying to coach up the bench to keep the lead.

I do look for some adjustments as winning the 4th quarter has been the Hawks mantra since McMillan took over.

[Lost Angel]

man the Hawks are fun to watch...btw has Reddish been hurt this whole year?

[Buzzard]

man the Hawks are fun to watch...btw has Reddish been hurt this whole year?

Most of it. He's not played since February 22nd. I would love to see him get playing time as a 8th man off the bench. But if he is not physically able, I would not risk it.

His quickness, speed, length, and athletic ability has shut down defender written all over him. If the Hawks can keep him for 4 years @ 40 to 48 million I see that as Beverly/Smart like money that is well invested.

[Buzzard]

You are neglecting why Danny Green was the primary defender on Trae, though, even through much of the second half. Doc tried to put Simmons on him and Ben immediately picked up 2 fouls. The primary defender should be Green or Thybulle while Simmons rotates over to help, but asking Ben to play him 1 on 1 isn't going to work: Trae is just too quick and will either get past him or trap Simmons into some bad fouls.

I mean, Trae Young is probably the worst defender in the NBA and he ended up with 3 fouls, while Simmons, who's an all-NBA defender, ended up with just one more (4 fouls) and Mattisse only had 2. There's a lot of fouls to be used on Trae and rough him up a little. He was too comfortable in the 1st half.

Regardless, it's foolish to guard Trae one-on-one, nobody can do it (only possible in small stretches). Atlanta will just run pick and roll all day. The defender gets blocked on the pick and Trae keeps shooting freely.

Young has to be defended by either a) trapping him or b) doubling him off a pick and roll. It'll be a collective effort for sure, but he only shot 30% from the field in the 2nd half when this strategy was implemented. You put a couple of all-NBA defenders on him and keep forcing the others to shoot like Ray Allen and break records by hitting threes like yesterday.

I think things will regress back to the mean.

The mean is not that pretty for the 76ers. 3P% for the Hawks top players.

Snell .569
Williams .444
Bogdanovic .438
Gallinari .406
Collins .399
Huerter .363
Young .343
Hunter .326

Gallinari is the player the Hawks are waiting on. If he can go off just one or two games, he is enough of a difference maker to win one by himself.

[sixers4real]

Game 2 is the most important game for Simmons, Embiid and Sixers since that 2019 semis game 7 (Kawhi buzzer)

[Buzzard]

Game 2 is the most important game for Simmons, Embiid and Sixers since that 2019 semis game 7 (Kawhi buzzer)

It will be nuts in Atl if they steal game 2 also.

[High 5]

The last two minute report is up if anyone is interested: https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0042000201

These are worthless regardless, but I didn’t know they doubled down on objectively bad calls. Not enough has been made of that ref’s count on the 5 second violation. He literally goes “1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi,45!”

[kg01]

The last two minute report is up if anyone is interested: https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0042000201

These are worthless regardless, but I didn’t know they doubled down on objectively bad calls. Not enough has been made of that ref’s count on the 5 second violation. He literally goes “1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi,45!”

It's a cute gesture that means nothing.

And the ref went "1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, 4 Utah, 5 Utah!"

Seriously though, could the Hawks not find any more ways to try to give that game away? It was a Benny Hill skit for the last 2 minutes.

[Tha King]

Collins is showing out in these playoffs. His defensive engagement and intensity was good in the Knicks series even when his offense wasn't on. Interested to see if he can keep that up

[jayu70]

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[QingJames]

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Lmao the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse.

[Zeus LA]

Green defending Young - 33 possessions

Thybulle or Simmons defending Young - 9 possessions combined

Good job Doc.

Simmons can't guard Young, he's just not quick or crafty enough to keep up. Trae will foul him out.

Trae Young quarter by quarter:

Q1: 5-7 FG, 12 pts - guarded by Danny Green
Q2: 3-6 FG, 13 pts - guarded by Danny Green
Q3: 1-6 FG, 6 pts - defensive adjustments - guarded by Ben Simmons and Mattise Thybulle (high trapping and double on PnR)
Q4: 2-4 FG, 4 pts - guarded mainly by Ben Simmons and Mattisse Thybulle, with hints of Danny Green

Altogether:

1st half: 8-13 FG, 25 pts - when guarded one on one by Danny Green in the first half.
2nd half: 3-10 FG, 10 pts - when guarded by Ben Simmons and Mattisse Thybulle in the second half.

I think moving forward we'll see lots of Simmons and Thybulle (and some Green) on Young with high trapping and doubling on PnR.

Good summary. Green has good defensive fundamentals but only locks up mediocre players. He (and to a lesser extent the 76ers team) is generally exposed against elite and quick guards. Trae happens to be both. I think the Sixers will be ok if Embiid can play at a high level, but the Green on Young experiment should end immediately.

[Laimbeer]

I don't like the Hawks but I'm rooting for them. Don't ask me why.

[eyeatoma]

Hawks would have hoped they announced Jokic winning MVP after the game. Joel is going to take all of his frustrations out on the Hawks.

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[jayu70]

Hawks would have hoped they announced Jokic winning MVP after the game. Joel is going to take all of his frustrations out on the Hawks.

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If he needs that kind of motivation, he's not ready for the big stage