NBA PLAYOFFS GAME 3: Pistons vs. Cavaliers - 7:00 PM EST

[BloodNinja]

We only scored 5 pts the last 6 minutes after sittting Drummond. He could've scored more than that on FTs.

He needs to be playing at the end. We're not winning by sitting him so why are we doing it?

Yeah he needs to be playing. Make him win or lose games with FT's. You can't have your all-star big on the bench in the 4th so either play him or move him for someone else.

[Scout Taron]

Well if you guys heard the Cleveland Sucks chant on TV, I started that.

[flow]

By the way, free throws were the least of Drummond's problems tonight. He got worked by Tristan Thompson.

[Todd3]

You're not going to put an offensive liability in the game when your down 7-10 with less than 2 minutes left so he can get a defensive rebound. That's silly.

We were down 5. He's not an offensive liability. He's an asset as an offensive rebounder, paint protector, and defensive rebounder.

Can't make up a 5 pt deficit without getting stops and can't get stops without defensive rebounding. That is silly.

They don't even have to wait til he grabs the rebound before fouling him. They can foul on the box-out.

Not intentionally.

He leads the league in rebounds. Teams are already as physical as can be trying to stop him from rebounding. How often on those rebounds does he get fouled incidentally while going for them? Rarely. And if they start blatantly tackling him it will be flagrant.

It's not the concern that you are imagining it to be.

This whole thing makes no sense to begin with, as everyone acknowledges we can't win with him sitting, so if we aren't winning anyways, why are we so concerned about what MIGHT happen if we play him?

He might make his FTs. They might not even foul him. We might win. That is what might happen.

What happens when we don't play him? We don't win and have no chance. So it's an easy decision to me.

[Todd3]

By the way, free throws were the least of Drummond's problems tonight. He got worked by Tristan Thompson.

Huh? In what way?

[flow]

By the way, free throws were the least of Drummond's problems tonight. He got worked by Tristan Thompson.

Huh? In what way?

Thompson had 8 offensive rebounds, and hit big shots with Dre on him. Cleveland out-rebounded us by 14.

Incidentally, Stan addressed not only this, but he addressed your question about sitting Dre in the last two minutes.

https://youtu.be/izIPaIu9Hrg?t=43



.

[Pharaoh]

We were down 5. He's not an offensive liability. He's an asset as an offensive rebounder, paint protector, and defensive rebounder.

Can't make up a 5 pt deficit without getting stops and can't get stops without defensive rebounding. That is silly.

They don't even have to wait til he grabs the rebound before fouling him. They can foul on the box-out.

Not intentionally.

He leads the league in rebounds. Teams are already as physical as can be trying to stop him from rebounding. How often on those rebounds does he get fouled incidentally while going for them? Rarely. And if they start blatantly tackling him it will be flagrant.

It's not the concern that you are imagining it to be.

This whole thing makes no sense to begin with, as everyone acknowledges we can't win with him sitting, so if we aren't winning anyways, why are we so concerned about what MIGHT happen if we play him?

He might make his FTs. They might not even foul him. We might win. That is what might happen.

What happens when we don't play him? We don't win and have no chance. So it's an easy decision to me.

THIS!

3 games down and we've yanked Dre each game.

If you expect a different result you gotta do something different.

Also;

Happy to see Harris turn things around a little - was starting to worry he shrinked under the heat of the bright lights.

[DBC10]

By the way, free throws were the least of Drummond's problems tonight. He got worked by Tristan Thompson.

Huh? In what way?

Thompson had 8 offensive rebounds, and hit big shots with Dre on him. Cleveland out-rebounded us by 14.

Incidentally, Stan addressed not only this, but he addressed your question about sitting Dre in the last two minutes.

https://youtu.be/izIPaIu9Hrg?t=43



.

Good stuff. Interesting that SVG was adamant on not playing him.

I love the way he responds when that CLE reporter asked him what they did to make Lebron shoot so badly, especially going 1-6 from 3.

"Nothing"

Haha. What I notice with TT and Love is how much hustle they've had this series. It's definitely noticeable and they're literally everywhere grabbing boards and even lucky ones.

[Todd3]

By the way, free throws were the least of Drummond's problems tonight. He got worked by Tristan Thompson.

Huh? In what way?

Thompson had 8 offensive rebounds, and hit big shots with Dre on him. Cleveland out-rebounded us by 14.

Incidentally, Stan addressed not only this, but he addressed your question about sitting Dre in the last two minutes.

https://youtu.be/izIPaIu9Hrg?t=43



.

Thompson had 8 pts. Drummond had 17 in less minutes. Stop with that.

How many of those 8 orebs came vs Drummond? I recall at least a couple vs Baynes.

How many came when Stan had Dre guarding the perimeter?

How many came when Dre went to contest a shot and no one rotated over to box out TT?

SVG should listen to JVG because he said the same thing during the game. How KCP wasn't fighting hard enough on screens, which was forcing Dre to contain Irving, leaving no one to box out Thompson.

And if Stan can't come up with other ways to make use of the best rebounder in the league at the end of games, other than setting picks, then he needs to get more creative.

I'm not saying that to hate or blame him. He's done a great job this year, but there are ways to limit the fouling and still get the benefit of the rebounding and defense, and he's not being creative enough there.

[Arp590]

Hey at least we're getting national recognition for once. We should get some respect on the pre-season power rankings next year.

[Pharaoh]

Huh? In what way?

Thompson had 8 offensive rebounds, and hit big shots with Dre on him. Cleveland out-rebounded us by 14.

Incidentally, Stan addressed not only this, but he addressed your question about sitting Dre in the last two minutes.

https://youtu.be/izIPaIu9Hrg?t=43



.

Thompson had 8 pts. Drummond had 17 in less minutes. Stop with that.

How many of those 8 orebs came vs Drummond? I recall at least a couple vs Baynes.

How many came when Stan had Dre guarding the perimeter?

How many came when Dre went to contest a shot and no one rotated over to box out TT?

SVG should listen to JVG because he said the same thing during the game. How KCP wasn't fighting hard enough on screens, which was forcing Dre to contain Irving, leaving no one to box out Thompson.

And if Stan can't come up with other ways to make use of the best rebounder in the league at the end of games, other than setting picks, then he needs to get more creative.

I'm not saying that to hate or blame him. He's done a great job this year, but there are ways to limit the fouling and still get the benefit of the rebounding and defense, and he's not being creative enough there.

Easiest way to get the benefit is to run PnR with RJ & Harris/Mook.

Dre not involved in the play cause he'd be down low so can't be fouled

[Todd3]

Thompson had 8 offensive rebounds, and hit big shots with Dre on him. Cleveland out-rebounded us by 14.

Incidentally, Stan addressed not only this, but he addressed your question about sitting Dre in the last two minutes.

https://youtu.be/izIPaIu9Hrg?t=43



.

Thompson had 8 pts. Drummond had 17 in less minutes. Stop with that.

How many of those 8 orebs came vs Drummond? I recall at least a couple vs Baynes.

How many came when Stan had Dre guarding the perimeter?

How many came when Dre went to contest a shot and no one rotated over to box out TT?

SVG should listen to JVG because he said the same thing during the game. How KCP wasn't fighting hard enough on screens, which was forcing Dre to contain Irving, leaving no one to box out Thompson.

And if Stan can't come up with other ways to make use of the best rebounder in the league at the end of games, other than setting picks, then he needs to get more creative.

I'm not saying that to hate or blame him. He's done a great job this year, but there are ways to limit the fouling and still get the benefit of the rebounding and defense, and he's not being creative enough there.

Easiest way to get the benefit is to run PnR with RJ & Harris/Mook.

Dre not involved in the play cause he'd be down low so can't be fouled

Exactly. Or even just run iso's with Reggie or Morris/Harris and have Dre clear out and play for the rebound like they do with TT. I don't understand this idea that a big can't just be in for rebounding and defense and not involved in the play. Almost every team ever has had a dirty work/hustle big like that and had no issue running offense with them and avoiding him getting fouled.

He's such a great rebounder that he draws attention off the ball just for that. They could even just be using him as a decoy, at least giving them someone extra to gameplan against. Baynes might as well just sit too and play 4 on 5 literally, as he's providing nothing. Might as well at least make use of Dre's rebounding.

[Pharaoh]

Thompson had 8 pts. Drummond had 17 in less minutes. Stop with that.

How many of those 8 orebs came vs Drummond? I recall at least a couple vs Baynes.

How many came when Stan had Dre guarding the perimeter?

How many came when Dre went to contest a shot and no one rotated over to box out TT?

SVG should listen to JVG because he said the same thing during the game. How KCP wasn't fighting hard enough on screens, which was forcing Dre to contain Irving, leaving no one to box out Thompson.

And if Stan can't come up with other ways to make use of the best rebounder in the league at the end of games, other than setting picks, then he needs to get more creative.

I'm not saying that to hate or blame him. He's done a great job this year, but there are ways to limit the fouling and still get the benefit of the rebounding and defense, and he's not being creative enough there.

Easiest way to get the benefit is to run PnR with RJ & Harris/Mook.

Dre not involved in the play cause he'd be down low so can't be fouled

Exactly. Or even just run iso's with Reggie or Morris/Harris and have Dre clear out and play for the rebound like they do with TT. I don't understand this idea that a big can't just be in for rebounding and defense and not involved in the play. Almost every team ever has had a dirty work/hustle big like that and had no issue running offense with them and avoiding him getting fouled.

He's such a great rebounder that he draws attention off the ball just for that. They could even just be using him as a decoy, at least giving them someone extra to gameplan against. Baynes might as well just sit too and play 4 on 5 literally, as he's providing nothing. Might as well at least make use of Dre's rebounding.

Not a fan of isos but that's more about me believing it's not conducive to a good team environment. We could obviously do it with some of our guys but I'd be more inclined to run PnR, PnP and my favourite: the Sideline Triangle.

Dre on the weakside in all of them, out of the play, can not be fouled but can set a screen...

Not gonna try and type it out but anyone who has seen the sideline triangle enough would know that Dre:

1 - would be in a good spot for an O-board

2 - not involved in the play until he might have to set a screen

3 - could actually create a mismatch for us due to the D switching

Methinks SVG is simply running his plays because he's all about next year!

[Todd3]

Easiest way to get the benefit is to run PnR with RJ & Harris/Mook.

Dre not involved in the play cause he'd be down low so can't be fouled

Exactly. Or even just run iso's with Reggie or Morris/Harris and have Dre clear out and play for the rebound like they do with TT. I don't understand this idea that a big can't just be in for rebounding and defense and not involved in the play. Almost every team ever has had a dirty work/hustle big like that and had no issue running offense with them and avoiding him getting fouled.

He's such a great rebounder that he draws attention off the ball just for that. They could even just be using him as a decoy, at least giving them someone extra to gameplan against. Baynes might as well just sit too and play 4 on 5 literally, as he's providing nothing. Might as well at least make use of Dre's rebounding.

Not a fan of isos but that's more about me believing it's not conducive to a good team environment. We could obviously do it with some of our guys but I'd be more inclined to run PnR, PnP and my favourite: the Sideline Triangle.

Dre on the weakside in all of them, out of the play, can not be fouled but can set a screen...

Not gonna try and type it out but anyone who has seen the sideline triangle enough would know that Dre:

1 - would be in a good spot for an O-board

2 - not involved in the play until he might have to set a screen

3 - could actually create a mismatch for us due to the D switching

Methinks SVG is simply running his plays because he's all about next year!

Agree. Just saying we have option other than dre pnr.

Not that we'd win the series either way so it doesn't really matter, but still think he needs the late game experience.

[El Chivo]

Kudos to KCP, guys, he has played 3 great games.

[313 Professor]

Kudos to KCP, guys, he has played 3 great games.

True. Wish we could've got one more 3 out of him when we needed it, but his energy, shooting, and defense on the 2nd most unguardable player in the league has been great gives us a shot

[hoophabit]

Here's a useful tip for reading game threads: Temporarily set Maker as a foe. I don't like having permanent foes, but this saves time trying to get through the thread. If only the team could have upped their game in the playoffs to the same degree as has Maker.

[Hotmayo]

we should have won game 1 and game 3. so annoying

Really?

yes

[DBC10]

Kudos to KCP, guys, he has played 3 great games.

Fans from other forums were raving on how well he was playing overall saying he's a stud and etc etc. He's definitely been (ironically) our most consistent player in terms of average production to defense ratio. As always.

[DBC10]

Easiest way to get the benefit is to run PnR with RJ & Harris/Mook.

Dre not involved in the play cause he'd be down low so can't be fouled

Exactly. Or even just run iso's with Reggie or Morris/Harris and have Dre clear out and play for the rebound like they do with TT. I don't understand this idea that a big can't just be in for rebounding and defense and not involved in the play. Almost every team ever has had a dirty work/hustle big like that and had no issue running offense with them and avoiding him getting fouled.

He's such a great rebounder that he draws attention off the ball just for that. They could even just be using him as a decoy, at least giving them someone extra to gameplan against. Baynes might as well just sit too and play 4 on 5 literally, as he's providing nothing. Might as well at least make use of Dre's rebounding.

Not a fan of isos but that's more about me believing it's not conducive to a good team environment. We could obviously do it with some of our guys but I'd be more inclined to run PnR, PnP and my favourite: the Sideline Triangle.

Dre on the weakside in all of them, out of the play, can not be fouled but can set a screen...

Not gonna try and type it out but anyone who has seen the sideline triangle enough would know that Dre:

1 - would be in a good spot for an O-board

2 - not involved in the play until he might have to set a screen

3 - could actually create a mismatch for us due to the D switching

Methinks SVG is simply running his plays because he's all about next year!

We hardly ever run any triangle or hybrid triangle action. There's so little flow to our offense in a lot of cases while Cavs execute perfectly which having Lebron is primarily the reason why. I'm just mad that we don't even run simple dribble pitch motions for our guards or even Tobias. That's literally an easy basket or a kickout for a 3 which rarely happens. You see the Spurs and Warriors running Dribble-Ps all the time, you'd think that we'd start doing some since a proper way to break down the PnR doubles/blitzes are using the dribble P.

Seriously, RJ is going to get blitzes on every PnR action he calls on, which is the reason why he's had moments where he had sticky fingers on the ball. We need to have him run off ball and just pitch it to him from Tobias or Dre from the high post and let RJ go full speed to the basket.