Now
that is a response. No excuses about travel, opponents, how we’ve played before. We came in looking more focused, executed, and got the win.
We did rely on our shot to fall while our defense took a while to catch up, but fall and catch up they did. We poured in an eye-popping, franchise-road-high-tying 77 points at the half on 66.7FG%, 6-10 from 3 and 11-11FTs. Sure we were playing against a poor defensive opponent, but we still executed in a way that showed focus and assertiveness, especially in the second quarter. We moved really well off ball, made sharp cuts, quick decisions off screens, assertive passes and got the shots we wanted for just about everyone (except for Dante who did not take a shot in 5 first half minutes), including our bench which outscored theirs 28-13.
That said, we were exchanging baskets with them too much and not getting enough defensive stops, especially in the first Q where we allowed 32 points, and 58 on 52.1FG% at the half - too many on too high a percentage - and it would have been higher had they not missed so many 3s, too many of which were too uncontested by us. We’ve had impressive offensive outputs before only to watch our leads dwindle because we over-relied on our O to try and compensate for not getting stops or not putting full effort into the latter.
Sometimes in previous games when we got big leads we tended to settle for out side shots, stopped moving, and got scored on instead. This time around, we adjusted well: when we missed bunnies on one chance, we dunked on another; when we pulled up for a shot too early and missed, we moved the ball, controlled the pace, and got quality shots down on subsequent chances. It helped keep us ahead when our defense was not as consistent as it ought to have been. We lost the 3rd Q by 2 and allowed another 30 points in it, but in more or less matching their offensive output, we made enough shots to still have a solid lead.
We did a better job of defending overall in the second half as if out scoring fuelled our defensive effort, especially in the 4th Q. Not ideal, but that the defense picked up overall was a positive. We were more energetic in running out to force them off the arc and made them pass or attempt secondary shots that were also contested. We made a concerted effort to get after rebounds (17-13 for us in the first half, 25-12 in the second!), get over screens and stay with ball handlers, switched well and collapsed in the key to prevent easy baskets. When they drove, we fouled hard. At times we got our signals crossed and did not switch or rotate properly or got caught on back door cuts or pick and rolls, but the effort was much better in the second half, as were the results. Good thing, too, because we shot 4-15 from 3 in the second half, and 21-46 for 45.6%, a 20% drop from the blazing first half output. This was also affected by our starters sitting earlier, replaced by Spurs who usually get far fewer minutes sharing the court for the final four and a half minutes, some who had never played together. So overall when our offense dipped, we stepped up defensively to stay well ahead. Both our offense and defense eventually pressured them into some late shot clock heaves and quick one and done shots that we rebounded, and were able to control the pace and rhythm of the game.
When they beat us down the court and got behind our defense for an easy basket or when we didn’t move enough on O and were in a scoring drought in the final 4:21, Pop called a timeout to oh so gently remind guys to hustle back on D and not stand around on O. It shouldn’t be necessary by this point in the season, especially to players who have to show they can make the most of these minutes and be trusted to play the right way to potentially get more court time. But that’s what coaching and timeouts are for. Even in Game 80, Pop’s attention to the details of our effort and fundamentals are on point.
We had seven players in doubles figures, including all five starters. Bryn led the team with 32 minutes and tied with Patty for 17 points (both shared a team-high four 3s each); , LMA led us once again with 24 points and 6 O boards (7 in total); Derrick led us with 8 assists; Rudy the Swiss Army knife led the bench in just about every category with 27 minutes and 18 points on 7-9, 1-2 from 3, 3-3FTs, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. So distributing both the workload and minutes load ensured everyone contributed, no one got overtaxed, and guys stepped up in Beli’s absence. Everyone who was active on the roster got minutes and contributed to the 56FG%, 40% from 3 and 85FT%. The 34 assists to only 9 turnovers substantiate a clean, team-centric focus to our execution.
Jakob has impressive body and hand control to gain possessions on O rebounds. It sometimes looks unorthodox the way he can contort around the basket yet he’s mindful of laying the ball in with soft hands off the glass. His faster decisions and reactions of when to cut and where to be are really helpful. It’s crazy how efficient he is (13 on 6-7, team-high 7 rebounds, 3 assists) yet his FT percentages (1-2FTs) are so low. There’s something about his release point that does always look consistent, hitting the front or back rim, and I wonder if his hand follow through moves as well since his misses are at times hitting the left or right rim. I’m sure more work with Chip will fix this and he’ll be an even bigger asset given all the rebounds he goes after and his increased role overall.
Loved Lonnie’s two assists. He showed patience and confidence in threading passes at just the right time for easy close to the basket points by Drew and Donatas. Speaking of the latter, he kept things simple, switched and rotated well, showed some energy running the floor and boxing out, and wasn’t shy about shooting. It’s what you want from a player in his role: defensive awareness, hustle, and easy points.
With this win, we’ve surpassed our road win total from last season, and we can improve it some more. This was a wonderful response showing some pride and mettle. Though it’s the final score that dictates standings, the team numbers bear out some equally important internal growth. I love how we’ve continued to rally together and stay resilient throughout the season.
Noteworthy achievementsLaMarcus and DeMar:
DeMar:
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