If you were Byron Scott

[aaron_gray]

Retitling this to make it a B-Scott decisions thread. No Lin/Price discussions, there are threads for that.

Below is a conversation about his decision to double the post:

Spoiler:

How do you guys feel about Byron doubling the post? He'll usually sends a perimeter player to do the doubling, and I feel like the results have been mixed.

I don't know if it's really necessary to double the post in the first place, since Hill is a pretty good post defender. I'm neutral on Sacre's post defense, although he doesn't have elite length/athleticism and he got shook in the post a couple times against the Wizards. I don't trust Ed Davis to guard the post due to his frame.

The last time I watched Thibs, he was still bringing Taj off the bench. Interestingly enough, he had Mirotic double the post if someone was posting up Taj, and the results were honestly decent. Statistically this is a good idea, since post ups are some of the most efficient ways of scoring if you can draw fouls without turning it over. I don't know if BS will be able to do it with a big though, since Hill isn't exactly what you call mobile. I'd love to see Ed come over from the week side to double a post up on Hill/Sacre, but that leaves him out of position to protect the rim in case a quick swing leads to holes on the perimeter.

So what do you guys think? Does it reflect on good decision making by Scott?

[Slava]

I usually don't like doubling the post at all and especially the guard doubling unless its a big like Howard who likes to keep the ball low and is prone to quick guards slapping it out of his hands to force a turnover. One of the major reasons is that its easier to see and throw a pass over the guard's head, I like the idea of the other big or someone like Kelly/Johnson do this for the Lakers who can disrupt the pass out of double teams if the big senses the double.

[iamworthy]

How do you guys feel about Byron doubling the post? He'll usually sends a perimeter player to do the doubling, and I feel like the results have been mixed.

I don't know if it's really necessary to double the post in the first place, since Hill is a pretty good post defender. I'm neutral on Sacre's post defense, although he doesn't have elite length/athleticism and he got shook in the post a couple times against the Wizards. I don't trust Ed Davis to guard the post due to his frame.

Keep in mind that doubling doesnt always reflect on the defender. In your example Hill. Sometimes you double the post because the offensive center doesnt know how to pass out of the double team. Or maybe the player being doubled gets flustered and turns the ball over. Maybe it results in slowing up the offense just enough to cause a 24 second violation. I dont mind the double as long as the person doubling isnt guarding a shooter..i.e. ray allen. If he is guarding tony allen, sure send the double.

[aaron_gray]

The next thing I want to make note of is his decision to play piss on you at the wing. That doesn't seem like such a bad decision on paper given his shooting advantage, but the results have been largely negative in real life. He doesn't really do much on offense as a wing. Some of that can be attributed to the fact that he's the only starter that passes the ball, some of it is probably on him and his mindset. He had a d-league stint before the Knicks game, probably because he was being too passive.

Advantages:
Can shoot
Has size advantage on smaller wings. Post ups have been okay.

Disadvantages:
Looses his speed advantage
Opportunity cost of having him screening and popping out to the 3 point line
Idk if anyone else remembers this, but I remember him racking up a few blocks last year. I'd really like to see if he can become somewhat of a shot alterer on defense.

Haven't focused on him enough to comment on his defense and handles. Will post an update of that after the next game.

He was basically a mid-late first round talent last year in the D'Antoni system. This year, coming back from injury with a new role, he's basically played like a 2nd rounder. I feel like he can do much better at the wing, and I'd like to wait until after the deadline before moving him back to the forward position. What about you guys?

[ArC_man]

I think we should free up spots and PT on the roster by buying out Price and Boozer. Move Kelly back to his natural position at the 4 and we can bring up a guy like Roscoe Smith to play the 3. Leave 1 spot open on the roster for flexibility with impending trade deadline. Boozer and Price can then go chase rings for teams who need the help. Boozer will easily get picked up by someone who needs interior scoring, Price probably not but he got his $$$ and it looks like he's not going to get anymore PT.

[Slava]

I feel a lot of Kelly's struggles might be down to ball movement with the starters. Hill is launching jumpers like no tomorrow, Sacre never met a shot he did not like, Clarkson is not yet a point and Ellington is basically playing for a contract. I find it rather interesting that Bulls have the same issues when they run Mirotic at SF even with better ball movement, all he takes is off balance jumpers and running floaters from time to time.

[Slava]

I also hope we go to a high screen and roll offense now that Kobe is out. Its one thing to play princeton or some triangle sets with a dominant wing player but what we now have are shooters and penetrating guards, I'd like to see Clarkson in such offense and may be even inflate Lin's value a bit ahead of the deadline.

[Drones]

Ryan Kelly at SF seems to keep the tank rolling so I support it.

[Slava]

Ryan Kelly at SF seems to keep the tank rolling so I support it.

Keep the tank talk in the tank thread for once. I don't want to open every thread and read the same thoughtless crap everywhere.

[Marionettetc]

It's been really hard to respond straight this season to threads but I will try.

I think a lot of the perceived weird or bad assignments or rotations are due to management telling scott we're done, you're free to work and try to find something moving into next season.

So regarding that, my honest reply to this thread is that with a new coach, over half our salary cap injured and out of the lineup at any given time, with a high draft pick on the line - I don't think a lot of what's going on during these garbage games matter. I think once at least nash is off the books, we sign one or two players actually deserving to start in the league, and everyone is healthy Scott's coaching is worth a look at. Not now.

[SlimShady83]

Much last year, this is all about developing our players, finding out what their strengths and weaknesses are. And I'm all for this.

I hope Kelly forms into a good 3 because next year's team will be stocked with PF/C and the like

Hill/Sacre/#picks/Black/Davis/Boozer/Randle etc etc

It's going to be chock a block and I feel this is the reason they are trying to turn him into a SF would be great to have someone who can hit 3's at the SF again . Wes just isn't cutting it for me < good bench player, but not starter.

[aaron_gray]

Only the Lakers jack more long 2s in the first half of the shot clock, per SportVU data provided to Grantland.

I'm fairly certain the primary culprits here are Hill, Ellington and Wes and maybe Sacre. Trading one of the first 3 will open up more touches for Kelly. It's going to be interesting to contrast our ball movement with the Bucks passing, as that team has developed into one of the most unselfish teams in the league.

[TyCobb]

Only the Lakers jack more long 2s in the first half of the shot clock, per SportVU data provided to Grantland.

I'm fairly certain the primary culprits here are Hill, Ellington and Wes and maybe Sacre. Trading one of the first 3 will open up more touches for Kelly. It's going to be interesting to contrast our ball movement with the Bucks passing, as that team has developed into one of the most unselfish teams in the league.

I've seen enough of Wesley Johnson to know he isn't going to be anything more than he shows. He's another Lin--a player who brings more frustration than production. Ready to move on from Wes, even as a bench player. This whole team is absolutely selfish, but that's gonna happen when you have a bunch of one-year guys playing for a bigger contract, or even an NBA contract.

Combine that with a terrible offensive coach, and it's not a surprise that the Lakers 'lead' in that stat. Kelly is a four and nothing more. He'll be a good player coming off the bench. Ellington, sadly, is one of the best playmakers left on this team with Kobe out. He doesn't turn the ball over a ton like Lin, and is an actual threat to pull up from anywhere after a screen.

Hill is a complete black-hole offensively and I'm bummed it's looking like there's a strong chance the Lakers bring him back next season.

[Slava]

Hating on long twos is my absolute no.1 gripe over the analytics era. If a player is comfortable shooting from an area of the floor where he can draw a quality shot, it doesn't matter if its from half court, let him shoot it. I don't like Hill shooting it because he's not very good at it but if Ellington takes one early in the shot clock I would not mind it at all.

[aaron_gray]

I mean, the line of thinking is that if you're going to shoot for 2 you should drive because of %s and the fact that it opens up lanes for offensive rebounds, whereas taking a long 2 does not. Takings 3s don't either, but those are worth 1 more point

Weezy is shooting 37.9% from the long 2 distance this year according to basketball-reference. Hill is shooting 38.3%, but he's had a larger sample size to prove his shooting.

[aaron_gray]

Well it's a small sample size, but...

Aside from Kelly, I kind of also want to talk about Tarik Black and the way he's being used. Against the Magic today, he had a couple of post ups, and I don't remember any one of them ending well. I don't think he's added too much individual offense to his arsenal yet, and while I get the importance of throwing him the ball and just letting him do something (i.e developing), I'd rather see what Sacre can do with even more shots, since the dude is just an enigma. The guy might be the only guy in the league who's better at fadeaway jumpers than hook shots.

Back to Tarik though. Scott had him blitzing the p/r on defense and guarding Tobias Harris in the third quarter. It says something about how mobile the team thinks he is. I'm not seeing it though. Despite Zach Lowe continuing to blow coaches who drop back in the p/r, done right, a blitzing p/r defense will make it a much tougher night for any opposing backcourt. Tarik, I don't know if he has the foot speed or the size for it, because I feel like you can't just be fast, you also need to be big. aaron_baynes did a great job against the same Magic team a couple nights ago, and part of slowing the guy down is being big enough so the guy can't get around you easily. A hurried pass, some long arms and you got a turnover forcing defense on your hands. I don't know if Black is suited for this. He's 6'9, but he's a bulky dude.

[aaron_gray]

Wow they had him guarding Lebron in the 1st quarter this time. They must really think that he has a future guarding quicker players. He really struggled to stick to Love in the 2nd, as he was caught helping off him numerous times.

[aaron_gray]

That block on Robin Lopez by Black tho...

I feel like part of the reason R Kelly is struggling at wing is because he doesn't really have many wing moves. His primary move once he gets inside the lane is a runner that misses often. It would be massive beneficial for him if he could add that Corey Brewer one dribble crossover to his game.

[Mirjalovic]

He is not a wing. Byron is a good coach, but at tanking, he is the best ever in NBA, the sole purpose he put Kelly on SF is for tank. I did this in NBA 2k14.

[ALL HAIL]

He is not a wing. Byron is a good coach, but at tanking, he is the best ever in NBA, the sole purpose he put Kelly on SF is for tank. I did this in NBA 2k14.

Playing him in an uncomfortable position serves many purposes: It highlights for Kelly the need for him to improve as a rebounder before he can get extended minutes at PF, it gives him "some/any" court action as opposed to sitting, his presence does help stretch the floor a bit, and, at the end of the day, as you stated, Laker games these days are not exactly high stakes poker--they have substantial freedom and carte blanche to experiment at their whim.