We're reverting to some bad habits we had at the start of the season

[azuresou1]

Bad Habit 1: Not looking for a shot. Picking apart a defense with passing is only a threat when defenses credibly think that you may take a shot. The Hawks have not been looking for their shots, which result in defenses playing off. Result? Defenses can cheat the passing lanes without worry for a catch-and-shoot, and still have time to recover.

Bad Habit 2: Not taking the shots they're given. I get taking shots in rhythm, but too many times we pass up open looks to pause and then drive into traffic. Result? Turnovers or highly contested looks.

Bad Habit 3: Not pushing the pace, especially on misses. There are a lot of situation where we'll get a steal and instead of someone else sprinting down the court, you have the other person jogging down. Result? Lots of 1-on-1 fastbreaks or failure to take advantage of 2-on-1/3-on-2s.

They should ideally be pushing on makes as well but that's a bit more understandable.

Bad Habit 4: Over-helping on initial penetration. A lot of the time you'll see us triple team someone when they get into the paint. Aggressive help is good, but in my opinion we're being too aggressive on the initial man and conceding the passing lanes entirely. It's like blitzing the QB - you generate QB pressure but if you don't get the sack and don't have any to pick the pass you're gonna get burned.

Hopefully a lot of this is just due to the wing injuries we've had recently causing us to be out of sync.

[PandaKidd]

I agree. Watching the spurs game up close, we force to many bad shots and dont take the open looks as much. Lots of over helping on defense as well, when Duncan and Splitter had 10 layups just standing at the basket

[MaceCase]

I think the Cavs game was their Super Bowl and then they also felt confident that they can take on whoever comes out the West from their earlier trip. Both Al and Jeffrey particularly have been coasting but the team in general has lacked that urgency that we've grown accustomed to.

[PandaKidd]

Korver was rusty, I mean he had like 5 TOs.

Horford sometimes I wish he would get more going to the basket . wonder what our transition points have been over last 10 games

[azuresou1]

I once read something, maybe from Lowe, where he said that one of young Blake Griffin's biggest strengths was that he was always quick to act. Make a decision and go. Even if it wasn't an 'optimal' decision, just the very act of making quick judgments forced defenses to scramble in response.

Our team could take a cue, especially Al. Just make a decision. I'm tired of seeing guys catch the ball and hold while the defense casually gets back in stance.

[PandaKidd]

Yup, pass the ball more and rotate more. Something SAS did very well today. Cutting and shooting quickly