1/20 Hawks at Kings

[Rip2137]

I think the real problem is AH now playing the perimeter, and you lost your prolific shooting guard in Korver. So, now you have no low post and no rebounding (even less than maybe last year), and now you have more misses (opportunities for reb) because Korver isnt shooting 50% from 3pt range.

Couple that with the lack of finishing at the rim from DS/Teague........

I dont think bud will do it, but i would move Korver to the bench and start THJ. I know i know i know HOT SPORTS TAKE. VS these "poor" west coast teams, id maybe look at what THJ can do with the minutes. Korver needs a break, clear his head. Hes not shooting his way out of this.

I did notice a sequence last night where it looked like THJ missed a rotation and DS got really mad at him and was jawing at him telling him it was his fault. THJ handled it well.

I differ here. I think we need as many guys that can handle the ball as possible when DS is on the court because, sometimes others need to take over the offense and run it because Dennis gets all 1-4 me against the world randomly. THat is why Thabo is so key to the bench, he will take over the playmaking duties quite often.

The thing with Al in the midrange vs. the three. WHen he is at the three point line, teams hand him off to another defender. Thus the opposing big gets switched and it doesn't cause WIDE OPEN looks he gets from the midrange. WHen Al is at the midrange, the Big has to come out because the defensive handoff isn't happening when leads to better spacing. Its weird. We get better spacing with AL at the midrange vs the three point range.

Him being out there versus the midrange is also causing a spike in turnovers for Jeff and Dennis. A pass to the three point line (especially up top) is nearly impossible on most plays on a drive and kick. without that extra outlet, you are seeing more guys getting caught in the air with no where to go.

[jayu70]

it amazes me the shots Thabo can hit moving, but a wide open spot up 3 he always shoots it short lol

Usually a sign of lingering leg issues (knees, ankles, etc)

I have a bad knee and simply don't have the leg strength anymore to catch and shoot 20 foot jump shots. But off the dribble or coming off a screen I can use the momentum to get more distance on my shot.

Whether this is a side effect of his NYPD injury or just old age...who knows.

But this is that subtle decline that guys his age begin to feel. Next to go...lateral quickness.

Thabo was shooting the 3 ok enough to start the season - since the wrist injury when he missed games (Charlotte game) he hasn't made any.
I do like that he is driving the ball more and getting to the rim and scoring or passing.

[observer1995]

My man. Let me tell you something.

The worst Jeff Teague is much much better than last night's Schroder.

I dont know what numbers say but at least jeff can make those empty 3s, attack the rim, isn't a turnover prone like Schroder, have a better court vision.

ROFLMAO

Teague's #'s at the rim: 50.8% (only slightly better than Schroder, as far as I'm concerned any finishing #'s that is less than 55% is horrible)

Jeff Teague's last 30 games: 13.5 PTS/5.1 AST/1.2 STL and 2.4 TO on 41% FG and 42.2% 3PT.
If it weren't for his UNSUSTAINABLE 3 point shooting, he'd be under 40% shooting for the last forever, which would likely mean he's shooting at 45% right at the rim for months now.

By every measure, Jeff Teague has been complete and total s*** for going on 3 months now. This has been easily THE WORST stretch of his career.

[observer1995]

I have to wonder if Jeff Teague has been mutinying against Kyle Korver starting for a while now. If he is bad against Phoenix (especially if they start no PGs), it's officially he's pulling a mutiny to get Korver out of the lineup and is purposely getting the team to lose.

[Jamaaliver]

I differ here. I think we need as many guys that can handle the ball as possible when DS is on the court because, sometimes others need to take over the offense and run it because Dennis gets all 1-4 me against the world randomly. THat is why Thabo is so key to the bench, he will take over the playmaking duties quite often.

The thing with Al in the midrange vs. the three. WHen he is at the three point line, teams hand him off to another defender. Thus the opposing big gets switched and it doesn't cause WIDE OPEN looks he gets from the midrange. WHen Al is at the midrange, the Big has to come out because the defensive handoff isn't happening when leads to better spacing. Its weird. We get better spacing with AL at the midrange vs the three point range.

Him being out there versus the midrange is also causing a spike in turnovers for Jeff and Dennis. A pass to the three point line (especially up top) is nearly impossible on most plays on a drive and kick. without that extra outlet, you are seeing more guys getting caught in the air with no where to go.

This is incredibly insightful and some of the most spot on analysis I've seen here on the boards.


One of my favorite book series to read is Freakonomics which focuses on, among other thing, the unintended consequences of any strategy or act. (Linking the legalization of abortion in the 1970s with a decrease in crime in the 1990s, citing the decrease of NFL rookie contract dollars leading to an increase of underclassmen entering the NFL early, etc.)

Anyway, I always love to consider the unforeseen consequences of every decision looking forward and backwards. And the thought of Horford operating from the 3-pt line leading to LESS SPACING reminds of that type of scenario. Something few people could have foreseen....but somewhat obvious in hindsight.

[Jamaaliver]

So the narrative making its way across the internet is that Rajon Rondo singlehandedly outwitted Bud and the Hawks coaches on the last inbounds play:

The last play of the Kings' 91-88 win over the Hawks on Thursday was interesting for basketball nerds. Atlanta needed a three to tie the game and set up in an alignment with four players in a diagonal line on the opposite side of the inbounder. In response, Rajon Rondo directed his teammates into a unique defensive alignment, causing lots of confusion on both sides.

Whatever Rondo did worked, because the Hawks couldn't get a game-tying shot attempt off in time and the Kings sealed an important victory for their playoff hopes.

That's the short version. Here's my best attempt to tell the long version.

Here

USATODAY also has the story.