Re: Where do we get the high% pts?

[Kim Malo <kimmalo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 11:10 AM 2/12/2004, Pereira, Jorge M wrote:
> From Jorge Pereira - Jpereira@xxxxxxxx
>
> On the way to the promised land we've dug an obvious hole (crater) at 
> power forward.  We've lost the high % shot, easy pts.  This is why all of 
> a sudden we disappear at key moments and lose games - 1 outside shot and 
> out, 3 or 4 times down the court in a row.  Eric W, Baker (10-20 pts 
> each), Mihms and Battie even trade? - not quite; Raff (5-10 inside pts).
>
> So how do we make up for these 35 or so easy points every game?
>
> I'd make PP more of a forward.  Get him away from the perimeter.  This way 
> if he takes too many of those unwarranted shots he'll have his head handed 
> to him.  Just kidding.  He could post up more often, and if the shot is 
> not there when the defense collapses on him he could pass off to the 
> perimeter for a clear shot. He may become more valuable to the team and 
> better his play.
>
> Any ideas?  Feel free to tell me that I'm searching where there is no 
> solution.

Well there really is no single solution, and in truth the offense we 
run/ran meant almost no easy shots, so I don't know as you can really say 
we lost any... But I agree with the stuff about Pierce and effective use. 
I've said all along that he really is a SF not a SG based upon his ball 
handling liabilities, mediocre at best playmaking, and his excellent 
rebounding.

Not just posting him up though, as he takes enough physical punishment as 
it is and that wears you down. But more slashing (although watch the ball 
handling and use some picks to give him space vs driving into 3 and 4 
opponents), cutting without the ball, give and go sort of plays toward the 
hoop.  Also for a couple of reasons you don't mention. Puts him in better 
position for offensive boards - and he IS a very good rebounder. But also 
draws the fouls that outside shots won't. And those fouls aren't just 
potential points for us, but can force changes in strategy on the 
opponents. Ilgauskas and EWill spent a significant chunk of the 2nd half 
with 5 fouls and not the slightest attempt on our part to exploit that by 
going at them and/or getting them fouled out. And finally one of those 
intangible sorts of things - when he drives by someone and dunks on them it 
gets himself, his teammates, and the crowd pumped up and Paul is very much 
someone who seems to feed off the emotional atmosphere.

More high % shots are one approach, but not the only one. Getting fouls if 
you don't get the hoop or getting a rebound so that you get enough shots 
that one of them is going to go in, even if you are shooting badly, can 
also be effective.

Kim