(11-30-2021, 12:20 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: But that obviously isn´t the only thing that matters for shooters. I think the problem isn´t the shooting itself. It starts with the offense in the paint. Mavs aren´t scoring in the paint. They aren´t creating as much scoring opportunities after penetration. That´s how the Mavs used to create 3s in the last two seasons. Inside out. Drive and kick.
Giving the shooter the opportunity to get in position and face the rim prior to the shot. 50 drives per game in 19/20. 47 in 20/21. Less than 40 this season. From close to the top of the league to the bottom of the league.
Mavs rank 29th in PIP. And as you pointed out. It´s mostly about Luka and his pick and roll partners that aren´t scoring at the volume and efficiency that we saw in previous seasons.
I guess it is a little bit of a chicken-egg situation. Bad shooting and spacing impacting the inside scoring. Worse inside scoring and less penetration leading to less kick out opportunities. What is the real problem?
In my opinion. Probably both. The Mavs just haven´t found their rhythm on offense and I don´t think the current scheme fits the available personal.
I can definitely buy this to an extent.
To be clear: You are saying that the "open" looks that shooters get are better (even if the defender is the same distance away) when that look comes from a kick out from the paint?
I 100% think Luka's inability to penetrate as well as years past is affecting the offense. He is only down 2.0 drives per game (20.3 to 18.3) but he is shooting more and passing less off his drives than last year. AND even though he is shooting more the looks are much worse and more difficult than last year, with only 11% of his shots coming at the rim (18% last year and 26% the year before that).
This can be explained in two ways 1) poorer spacing in the offense and 2) poorer conditioning from Luka.
I personally think the lion's share is Luka's conditioning and being noticeably a step or two slower than years past. I think Luka's inability to beat his man like in years past has led to poorer spacing for the team across the board (when Luka gets one on one isolation opportunities he is not getting around his guy in the same way as he used to). Don't get me wrong though, there are definitely times the scheme and Luka's teammates are the culprit for poor spacing as well.
I think in years past Luka's superior play elevated his teammates to a higher level. Others though think the teammates are bringing Luka down. I disagree because generally speaking I think Luka is the tide that raises the boats of his teammates....I don't think his teammates are the tide that raises the boat of Luka. NOTE: Though of course better teammates WOULD be helpful for Luka, so don't misunderstand me.