Def Swami wrote:Tarheel wrote:Dunno if this has been said already, but it seems to me that Mose's all-in defensive identity doesn't fit with a higher pace, try and outrun the other team offense.
Like, both of those things take maximum effort, you can't do both. It's no wonder we're getting blown by on defense and can't make a shot.
Saying they need to get fitter doesn't really solve it either. You're playing against the fittest basketball players in the world, no matter what your body fat percentage is you won't be able to out-effort world class athletes on both ends of the floor. It just won't happen. You'll get tired, you'll struggle, you'll commit fouls and then technicals because you're frustrated, and then ultimately you'll get injured.
I don't know what conversations are happening between Mosely and Prunty, but they can't just independently manage each end of the floor without a cohesive overall direction.
It’s hard to do both. But the best teams are capable. The Magic do not have the personnel to do so. The best teams have at least 4 shooters on the floor at all times and a solid PG. The Magic expend a lot of energy on defense. The math game of increasing the points per possession by being able to score open 3s instead of grind for tough 2s makes good teams conserve energy on offense while playing a faster pace. The turnovers compound things (more running in transition defense when you’re comprised, less offensive possessions).
I feel like teams are trying to copy the Thunder and Pacers. And the Magic could definitely get into their sets faster than they did last year. But Banchero is right when he says there’s no order to their pace. There’s no Tyrese Halliburton or Shai Gilgeous Alexander directing traffic while limiting turnovers. And this team’s inability to score efficiently just places more burden on them. They can afford to play faster but they don’t have the horses for the Derby.
I agree with most of what you've said. But there is a difference between (a) improving our shot profile and getting into our sets quicker/more efficiently and (b) trying to out hustle and outrun a team to more points. I don't think any team in the NBA has the personnel to do option (b), at least not consistently, which is what we seem to be attempting. It only really works if you catch teams on the hop, like we did in the first game, and beat them down the floor for layups.
Option (a) is complementary to a good, high effort defense, because you are being more efficient with your energy on the offensive end. Option (b) is detrimental, because it takes too much energy to do against athletes of the quality NBA teams have (and for the same reason is completely unsustainable).
Banchero's point is kind of the same as mine, we're expending too much energy on an inefficient/disorderly basis and it's detrimental to the rest of our game.
It's far too early to judge Prunty's offense, but there does need to be a joined up approach in how we implement it. I don't think it's his fault, for what it's worth, it just seems at the moment like the approach to his hire was 'we've got a bad offense so we'll hire an offensive minded coach', rather than 'what is wrong with our offense and how do we want to fix it'.
Obviously it's not just steals, you can force bad passes and stuff but there is just no energy defensively. Paolo and Bane are bad on D and Franz has for whatever reason worn down every 2nd half.
