Why not take out shaq for defensive purposes at the end??

rag-time4 · Post #1 » by **rag-time4** » Mon Mar 9, 2009 8:07 am

Ok, we've all seen Shaq repeatedly giving up layups to little guards in the last few games. Why don't they take him out for Swift or even Lou for defense at the end of these games??? Seems like a no brainer....

Shaq's useless on the pick and roll and if they're gonna play him with a bunch of smalls there's nobody to play center field and help defend against penetration. Swift would be great because of his quickness and mobility but they're not using him.

NashtyNas · Post #2 » by **NashtyNas** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 3:13 am

Because you don't take out your only offensive threat in the lane and give away the game that way, unless you have enough time outs to call so you can make O/D subs, or a player like Lebron/Kobe/Wade who can take over offensively even if its 5 on 1.

rag-time4 · Post #3 » by **rag-time4** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:25 am

sd1306 wrote:Because you don't take out your only offensive threat in the lane and give away the game that way, unless you have enough time outs to call so you can make O/D subs, or a player like Lebron/Kobe/Wade who can take over offensively even if its 5 on 1.

Shaq hasn't been the one shooting at the end of games, if I'm not mistaken, yet he's the one giving up layups in the lane. It's been said time and again that if the Suns can just get a defensive stop or two at the end of these games they could win, and Shaq keeps getting scored on by guards driving into the paint.

Inconspicuous · Post #4 » by **Inconspicuous** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:55 am

then maybe our stupid guards can stop letting people blow by them. nash gambled on brooks on the gamewinner and because of that brooks was able to get to the rim

rag-time4 · Post #5 » by **rag-time4** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:01 am

Inconspicuous wrote:then maybe our stupid guards can stop letting people blow by them. nash gambled on brooks on the gamewinner and because of that brooks was able to get to the rim

In pick and roll situations the big man whose man is setting the pick is more important when defending a drive to the basket. The big man has to be able to prevent the guard from scoring after coming off the pick.