The reason we're losing

[tontoz]

The real reason we are losing is right here.

http://www.82games.com/0708/0708ATL5.HTM

[conleyorbust]

The real reason we are losing is right here.

http://www.82games.com/0708/0708ATL5.HTM

We talked about how Acie was the key earlier in the season. Looks like we really need to do something at the point guard position. I think our backup bigs are hurting us pretty badly too, especially considering we are starting a rookie at C. I do think that Joe has had more bad games than last season which is hurting his average and the team - he didn't have but 2 or 3 bad games in December, but AJ also played really well over that stretch so we got production from our weak spot.

[BigAlHorfordROY]

Agreed....

No PG, No real C, and a crap coach is why we are losing

[tontoz]

Looks like we really need to do something at the point guard position.

Which is play Acie and take our chances. We already know AJ and Lue aren't going to take us anywhere.

Acie hasn't played over 24 minutes in a game since he got hurt. Last game he got pulled after he took one shot. That just doesn't make sense.

We need to play Acie big minutes for two reasons. First of all because he is the only one won the roster who has the talent to be the impact player that we need at the point. Secondly because if Acie isn't the answer at the point then we need to find out as quickly as possible.

There is no point in dragging out the process by playing AJ and Lue since we already know they aren't going to cut it.

[evildallas]

The real reason we are losing is right here.

http://www.82games.com/0708/0708ATL5.HTM

So 82games still feels the lack of production at PG is the main culprit with Law's court time being extra rough. Rookie PGs are normally low, but ouch.

C is bit low too. Also, if Zaza just played up to his normal level C would be passable. After Al who would be doing better with a little more offense, the bench at C has been dead weight statistically.

I'm a little surprised by this considering the number of 2 guards that have had career nights against us this year, but obviously Joe's production is still ahead of theirs in total.

Not to make light of statistically analysis, but I'll bet if you go back through all the games of the season and honestly assigned a reason for losing said game you'd have a myriad of reasons including opponent was better, team rebounding, outcoached, turnovers, poor shooting, weak defense, foul trouble, PG play, bad luck, etc. Some of them you might even hang on a single players performance. Not sure how to handle the games with multiple explanations (maybe partial losses). What I would guess is that over the 21 losses that you'll probably won't find a clear leader for reason running through them. That's why I avoided adding to this thread until now, didn't what the karmic backlash of pointing a finger at a prime cause.

We need to get better to get where we want to be. Lot of ways to do that too.

[tontoz]

you'd have a myriad of reasons including opponent was better, team rebounding, outcoached, turnovers, poor shooting, weak defense, foul trouble, PG play, bad luck, etc.

obviously this team has a lot of issues, but pg is the big issue because it effects so many areas.

One reason that our half court offense is so bad is that we have guys trying to be playmakers who should be finishers. While JJ is a good playmaker i would rather have him in more of a scoring role which is what he was doing last year. If you remember early last year JJ was very hot from the field. It is no coincidence that Lue was very hot as well, which forced the defense to play JJ more honest.

Smith can make good passes at times but he also makes a lot of bone headed plays and forces the action too much.

But the reason JJ and Smith have to create is because AJ and Lue can't. Lue is mainly looking for his own shot (not to mention he can't play D or stay healthy) and AJ doesn't put pressure on the defense at all. At least Acie has proven that he can beat his man off the dribble easily which opens up opportunities for other players.

[JoshB914]

We have lost a lot of close games this season, if JJ is shooting the ball even remotely wel we probably win at least of some of those.

I would also like to add the leadership problem we have. We have problems matching other teams' intensity, don't play well in the 3rd qtr, don't put teams away, and struggle with execution. This is a direct correlation to leadership and JJ is our captain.

It's more than just his bad play on the floor, its the way he has conducted himself. He has not played or acted like a franchise player this season. And it is that presence that we lack in my opinion.

It is incredible to me that no one is pointing the finger at JJ. We know we have bad PG's, a stupid offensive scheme, and no depth. But how could we have ever expected this from JJ?

[tontoz]

We know we have bad PG's, a stupid offensive scheme, and no depth.

Which is exactly why it is stupid to point the finger at JJ just because his PER is 1.27 below where it was 2 years ago after less than half a season.

[conleyorbust]

I can't blame it on JJ after I've been calling for a real PG for so long. I also think the big man depth problem has been killing us and that goes on the mental weaknesses of Zaza and Shelden. I do agree with Rip and Josh that Joe hasn't had the same air about him that he has in the past... he doesn't have the quite confidence he used to, when his shot isn't falling he just looks pissed even if he contributes in other ways (getting to the line and converting more than in the past). I also think that he has had a lot more bad games than in the past which is why his shooting average is lower. I'm not sure why his consistency has been lacking but I hope he gets it back. I remember pre-injury last season, he would go out and net us about 27 on 50% shooting on any given night. We need a pg though, it'll help everybody.

[tontoz]

Is Joe Johnson.

Self explanatory.