…the Cavaliers employ one of the world’s greatest young power forwards, a do-it-all 7-footer in Evan Mobley. Thibodeau said he has no issue with Hart guarding Mobley, even if the Cavs big man is 7 inches taller. “Josh has the strength to deal with size,” Thibodeau said.
—
There isn’t another duo of guards (Garland/Mitchell) in the playoffs that shoots 3s off the dribble as well as the two of them do. Both made 39 percent of their pull-up jumpers during the regular season, according to Second Spectrum. Garland shot 46 percent on off-the-dribble 3-pointers from at least 26 feet this season, according to information tracked by Second Spectrum and supplied via a league source to The Athletic. That was best in the NBA among all players who took at least 40 jumpers from that far out. Mitchell shot 39 percent from that distance, seventh in the league.
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If Randle plays, he’ll need to shoot 3s aplenty. When Mobley guarded him during the regular season, the 7-footer would help into the lane on drives, then have to rush back out to recover onto Randle’s 3s. It’s a good thing Randle isn’t gun-shy. His shot selection — filled with more long balls than ever and fewer midrangers than he took a couple of seasons ago — is more sustainable now.
The Cavaliers also have tried Allen on Randle in spurts. Whichever big man guards the All-NBA hopeful, it will be the other one’s job to spy on Randle from down low, making sure his path to the paint is clogged. That’s where Robinson can carve space to go for offensive boards.
If they send double-teams at Randle, he’ll have to get rid of the ball quickly. His biggest offensive flaw remains his processing speed after second defenders approach. It’s why the Hawks had their way with him, but he has a stronger supporting cast now.
…
They may play one-on-one ball, but it works. Brunson has become one of the world’s top individual scorers. The Knicks averaged 1.10 points per possession on plays that ended in a shot or pass out of one of his isolations this season, which ranked fifth among the league’s high-volume isolators, according to Synergy Sports. New York was last in the league in assist rate, but this group still exudes unselfishness. Its style is one of the main reasons it rarely turns the ball over, too. —
The Cavs rebound only 70 percent of their opponents’ misses, which is far too low when Allen isn’t playing. Meanwhile, the Knicks assault the offensive boards for 48 minutes. Robinson led the league in offensive rebound rate. Hartenstein finished eighth. If Thibodeau wants to wreck the Allen-less Cavs, maybe he brings Hartenstein in a little earlier and staggers Robinson so playoffs’ most ravenous glass glutton runs with the second unit. It’s not an every-game occurrence, but Robinson has played with the reserves various times before.
—
Over the final couple of months of the season, Thibodeau commonly closed games with two of these players: Hart, Quickley and Grimes at the wing spots. Two of those guys knock down open 3s. Hart is a quick-twitch cutter and passer. All three defend. So, what do the Knicks do if Cavs defenders sag off Barrett, who shot 31 percent from deep this season, and Barrett remains ice cold? What about if they load up on Brunson, placing the ball in his hands more, but he’s not making the proper reads while fighting downhill? If he executes, he’ll play. But if he struggles, the Knicks could look for reinforcements elsewhere.
Kingknick
Idk how these players do it, I’m so nervous and I’m not even playing. Let’s fucking go
2 Comments
The usual, Katz is incredible.
Some of the highlights:
…the Cavaliers employ one of the world’s greatest young power forwards, a do-it-all 7-footer in Evan Mobley. Thibodeau said he has no issue with Hart guarding Mobley, even if the Cavs big man is 7 inches taller.
“Josh has the strength to deal with size,” Thibodeau said.
—
There isn’t another duo of guards (Garland/Mitchell) in the playoffs that shoots 3s off the dribble as well as the two of them do. Both made 39 percent of their pull-up jumpers during the regular season, according to Second Spectrum. Garland shot 46 percent on off-the-dribble 3-pointers from at least 26 feet this season, according to information tracked by Second Spectrum and supplied via a league source to The Athletic. That was best in the NBA among all players who took at least 40 jumpers from that far out. Mitchell shot 39 percent from that distance, seventh in the league.
—
If Randle plays, he’ll need to shoot 3s aplenty. When Mobley guarded him during the regular season, the 7-footer would help into the lane on drives, then have to rush back out to recover onto Randle’s 3s. It’s a good thing Randle isn’t gun-shy. His shot selection — filled with more long balls than ever and fewer midrangers than he took a couple of seasons ago — is more sustainable now.
The Cavaliers also have tried Allen on Randle in spurts. Whichever big man guards the All-NBA hopeful, it will be the other one’s job to spy on Randle from down low, making sure his path to the paint is clogged. That’s where Robinson can carve space to go for offensive boards.
If they send double-teams at Randle, he’ll have to get rid of the ball quickly. His biggest offensive flaw remains his processing speed after second defenders approach. It’s why the Hawks had their way with him, but he has a stronger supporting cast now.
…
They may play one-on-one ball, but it works. Brunson has become one of the world’s top individual scorers. The Knicks averaged 1.10 points per possession on plays that ended in a shot or pass out of one of his isolations this season, which ranked fifth among the league’s high-volume isolators, according to Synergy Sports. New York was last in the league in assist rate, but this group still exudes unselfishness. Its style is one of the main reasons it rarely turns the ball over, too.
—
The Cavs rebound only 70 percent of their opponents’ misses, which is far too low when Allen isn’t playing. Meanwhile, the Knicks assault the offensive boards for 48 minutes. Robinson led the league in offensive rebound rate. Hartenstein finished eighth. If Thibodeau wants to wreck the Allen-less Cavs, maybe he brings Hartenstein in a little earlier and staggers Robinson so playoffs’ most ravenous glass glutton runs with the second unit. It’s not an every-game occurrence, but Robinson has played with the reserves various times before.
—
Over the final couple of months of the season, Thibodeau commonly closed games with two of these players: Hart, Quickley and Grimes at the wing spots. Two of those guys knock down open 3s. Hart is a quick-twitch cutter and passer. All three defend. So, what do the Knicks do if Cavs defenders sag off Barrett, who shot 31 percent from deep this season, and Barrett remains ice cold? What about if they load up on Brunson, placing the ball in his hands more, but he’s not making the proper reads while fighting downhill? If he executes, he’ll play. But if he struggles, the Knicks could look for reinforcements elsewhere.
Idk how these players do it, I’m so nervous and I’m not even playing. Let’s fucking go