Diggr14 wrote:Having watched the last 6 games very carefully, I'd say that you guys are right that you need an overhaul at coach. The ISO-heavy offense is garbage. Any good defensive team such as the Bucks will wreck that simplistic kind of O.
From a talent perspective, your team looks great on paper. However, there are 2 facets to the game. Offense and Defense.
Mike Bibby has been relegated to an outside shooter. The fact that he cant take advantage of a 20 year old kid that is 165 soaking wet is sad. He has modest speed, cant really create like he used to. Teague is definitely your guy moving forward.
Joe Johnson - quality player. Really have nothing bad to say about the guy. But like Michael Redd of yesteryear... it seems once the ball goes to him, it's not coming back. That can be great if he is on fire.... but the iso-game just hasnt worked because other players are not getting involved.
Josh Smith - This guy is the epitome of overrated. Offensively, if you stop him from going left and keep him on the perimeter he is very harmless. Yes, he is a highlight reel dunk waiting to happen... but it is 2 points. In the grand scope of things, in the playoffs.. defenses kill players like this. His defense is predicated on helping out backside and getting a cheap block by leaving his guy and going to the ball. Yes, he can disrupt some shots.. but he's leaving Bucks players wide open in the corner for 3 all game. And frankly, it's killing you guys.
Marvin Williams - The word bust comes to mind. While he does show flashes of being a guy that could put it together, he is one of those guys that looks the part... but just is not the answer. He is a true paper tiger.
Al Horford - god, i love this guy. If he would be a little bit tougher underneath he'd be a beast. Really, if he develops more toughness, he could be a barkley-lite type of player. I think he will be your best player when things are said and done.
Good Luck tonight, I hope we win.. but, I wish no ill will on your squad. It's been a fun series.
Thanks for the analysis. I appreciate when a fan of another team gives honest analysis after a series. I can't really argue with your observations, but I would withhold final judgment until I see the players in a different system with a different coach.
For instance, in certain offensive sets Josh stays outside while Joe or Jamal dribbles. The theory is they are spreading the court to give Joe (or Jamal) space to create. I've never been certain if it was by design or Josh's choice. The truth is he should be fighting for space on the block because the odds that one of our guys penetrates all the way to the hoop is slim anyway. When he's spacing the floor he is right where the defense wants him (out of shooting range and away from the boards). You are right about him getting shut down with D (Luc has shown this), but is that because our system is to create one on one period even with the bigs? The drives he made on Delfino just aren't as easy with Luc and if he did fight him for better position I'm not sure the Hawks could get the ball into him as we have been known to have problems passing the ball on the perimeter against an active defense. Your defensive critique has some truth in it. He does tend to wander try to make the flashy play over the solid play. A lot of the time he's switched several times and is out on Jennings by the time the ball goes to the corner.
I feel better about Jeff Teague if he played more during the year and I'd like to see him in a different offense. He's an unknown and Woodson wouldn't use him even if he is the only one fast enough to stay near Jennings. Like Beaubouis in Dallas by the time the coach admits the obvious it was too late.
Marvin - I wish I could defend, but I can't.
Joe - The system run here is structured to highlight Joe. I don't know if it is the system, lack of trust in his teammates, or concern about being the man in a contract year, but Joe is stopping the ball and playing one on five too much.