The Official Playoffs Thread

[Ayt]

I want to know how many shots LeBron's teammates need to get going. Right now, Mo is at 18, West is at 12, and Z is at 11. Going into the game last night, Kobe was at 25 with Gasol the only other guy in double digits at 10.

All LeBron is really proving is that it is extremely difficult to win with only one stud player. When your sidekick All-Star is taking 18 shots a night and only shooting 32% and you don't really have anyone else that can create offense for the team its going to be tough.

[europa]

Mo needs to be shooting less (that sure sounds familiar) and I think they need to try to get more out of Ilgauskas in the post. I think they should start working inside-out and see if that can change their fortunes.

[Ayt]

Mo needs to be shooting less (that sure sounds familiar) and I think they need to try to get more out of Ilgauskas in the post. I think they should start working inside-out and see if that can change their fortunes.

Post Z against Howard?

What they really need to do is post LeBron much more often.

[europa]

I'd go pick and rolls with Z. Try to draw Howard away from the hoop. Either Z hits the jumper or they find an open cutter to the hoop.

[Wise1]

Europa, obvious basketball adjustments don't compute to some unless there's some random stat to support it. I do whatever it takes to try and get Z going and to draw more fouls on Howard. You post Z, Lebron, Delonte (more)....anyone to induce more fouls (and help fouls) on Howard.

Lebron scoring 45 is not working. He'd impress me more if he scored 20 and forced the others to get another 20, 15 and 15 as additional options. I think the others are buying the hype. Lebron is soooo great that I don't have to sharpen my focus and make adjustments. Lebron will save the day! Veryjoe can get them 8-10 on hustle alone. I wouldn't be afraid to give him a few post looks against Howard just to attempt to draw fouls. He's annoying enough to make you want to foul him anyway.

[WEFFPIM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5Tq ... annel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjju ... re=channel

[europa]

I agree about posting up West more. I'd focus the offense on LeBron (obviously) and then Z and West. I'd keep Mo from shooting a lot since at this point he's killing the Cavs whenever he does. Ilgauskas can be used to try and draw Howard away from the hoop and I'd try to work him in the post to, as you said Kirby, try to get Howard in some foul trouble. My third option would be to see if West can continue to be effective working in the low post. Maybe even run some high-low action with Z and West. I'm not trying to rip on Mo but the fact is he's shooting terribly and I'm not sure it's smart to have a 30% shooter jacking up 18 shots a game. Mo is a good shooter and it's reasonable to assume he'll shoot well at some point but with the season on the line I'm not sure making an effort to get him going is the way to go.

[AussieBuck]

I like how the "cerebral" Kobe has throughout his career decided to jack up a ton of shots at 40% while his star big man has starved while shooting over 60%.

[Wise1]

I agree about posting up West more. I'd focus the offense on LeBron (obviously) and then Z and West. I'd keep Mo from shooting a lot since at this point he's killing the Cavs whenever he does. Ilgauskas can be used to try and draw Howard away from the hoop and I'd try to work him in the post to, as you said Kirby, try to get Howard in some foul trouble. My third option would be to see if West can continue to be effective working in the low post. Maybe even run some high-low action with Z and West. I'm not trying to rip on Mo but the fact is he's shooting terribly and I'm not sure it's smart to have a 30% shooter jacking up 18 shots a game. Mo is a good shooter and it's reasonable to assume he'll shoot well at some point but with the season on the line I'm not sure making an effort to get him going is the way to go.

Good ideas, but they won't be able to win unless Mo plays like their second best player. Much like the Lakers needing Derek Fischer to make at least soooome shots. I agree that I'd prioritize West and Z more since what they bring to the table is more suitable to harming Howard which should be goal #1. Mo being effective could mean Mo shooting less. He HAS to be more efficient. He has to hit a few open 3's on kickouts and at least TRY to draw more fouls which he did last game.

[Wise1]

I like how the "cerebral" Kobe has throughout his career decided to jack up a ton of shots at 40% while his star big man has starved while shooting over 60%.

Kobe has definitely evolved as a player. Most great ones do mature and rely less on their athletic ability and more on their ability to mentally impact the game. It's hard to knock a guy that not only closes games for you, but also has the competitiveness to take on the toughest defensive matchups without fear.

Lebron is as big, strong, and athletic as they come. Why hasn't he spent more time at least TRYING to stop Howard down low? How inspirational is it when your star offensive player steps up and guards whoever is currently hurting the team (Billups, Anthony, Smith)? LePrince couldn't even guard Rafer Alston. Why not try him on Howard.

[Ayt]

The problem with posting West is that most of the time he's being guarded by the 6-10 Turkeyglue. And Z is of course being guarded by Howard so that isn't a very good post option. Mo has to step up his game or they are done.

LeBron on Howard, Wise? Seriously?

[jerrod]

I like how the "cerebral" Kobe has throughout his career decided to jack up a ton of shots at 40% while his star big man has starved while shooting over 60%.

Kobe has definitely evolved as a player. Most great ones do mature and rely less on their athletic ability and more on their ability to mentally impact the game. It's hard to knock a guy that not only closes games for you, but also has the competitiveness to take on the toughest defensive matchups without fear.

i think you might have missed his point, wise

[Wise1]

The problem with posting West is that most of the time he's being guarded by the 6-10 Turkeyglue. And Z is of course being guarded by Howard so that isn't a very good post option. Mo has to step up his game or they are done.

LeBron on Howard, Wise? Seriously?

Magic Johnson playing center? Seriously? Yeah I'm serious. If I'm Lebron James, I don't let anyone intimidate me and I'll try to guard ANYONE if it would give my team a chance to win. Lebron is 6-9 and probably 270lbs. If Chuck Hayes can step up and guard Gasol, why couldn't Lebron give Howard a few possessions? Why not try to use his ref influence to perhaps induce a charge.

If West can consistently get by Hedo and to the rim, Howard will be forced to help weakside...assuming he's in the area.

[Bucksfans1and2]

Am I the only one who thinks the All defensivse teams are some of the dumbest things? Kobe and Lebron both make one but neither one ever matches up against anyone with any offensive talent because their teams are afraid they'll pick up a foul. Both Kobe and Lebron guarded Prince.

[Wise1]

I like how the "cerebral" Kobe has throughout his career decided to jack up a ton of shots at 40% while his star big man has starved while shooting over 60%.

Kobe has definitely evolved as a player. Most great ones do mature and rely less on their athletic ability and more on their ability to mentally impact the game. It's hard to knock a guy that not only closes games for you, but also has the competitiveness to take on the toughest defensive matchups without fear.

i think you might have missed his point, wise

Possibe. It was a little vague so I tried to give a general response.

[Ayt]

The problem with posting West is that most of the time he's being guarded by the 6-10 Turkeyglue. And Z is of course being guarded by Howard so that isn't a very good post option. Mo has to step up his game or they are done.

LeBron on Howard, Wise? Seriously?

Magic Johnson playing center? Seriously? Yeah I'm serious. If I'm Lebron James, I don't let anyone intimidate me and I'll try to guard ANYONE if it would give my team a chance to win. Lebron is 6-9 and probably 270lbs. If Chuck Hayes can step up and guard Gasol, why couldn't Lebron give Howard a few possessions? Why not try to use his ref influence to perhaps induce a charge.

If West can consistently get by Hedo and to the rim, Howard will be forced to help weakside...assuming he's in the area.

I'm not sure why are argue with you on any of these things. We're never going to see eye to eye.

[WEFFPIM]

Am I the only one who thinks the All defensivse teams are some of the dumbest things? Kobe and Lebron both make one but neither one ever matches up against anyone with any offensive talent because their teams are afraid they'll pick up a foul. Both Kobe and Lebron guarded Prince.

I think they're dumb because, really, what's the point of them? No one will look at a certain player and think about whether or not they were an all-defensive team member. They're just pointless to me.

[Wise1]

Quite frankly, I can't understand why you wouldn't want the runner up defensive player of the year and by your estimation the best player on the planet to step up to the challenge. How do you know he won't be effective if he doesn't at least try. There's no athlete on the Cavs better equipped to bother Howard than Lebron James. I wouldn't condone giving James the full time assignment, but I certainly would try to give Howard another look from time to time. Perhaps James can get a call or two on him....beat him to a few loose balls.

[WEFFPIM]

That Rodney Rogers piece on TNT just now...wow.

[jerrod]

whoever's guarding a team's best player is going to pick up some fouls.


maybe that's fine if you're kobe and have a great supporting cast