01-08-2021, 12:54 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-08-2021, 12:57 PM by KillerLeft.)
(01-08-2021, 12:43 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: WCS did a good job in the post and around the rim.
Yeah, this is what I'm talking about.
For whatever reason, Malone (or maybe Jokic himself) isn't comfortable going all in on creating perimeter looks for Jokic at times when it makes sense to do so. Last night, Jokic took and made wide open (understatement) 3's literally SECONDS after Boban entered BOTH times. Both times, Denver immediately went away from any kind of pick and pop action, for whatever reason. It drove me crazy in the playoffs, too, as the LA/Denver series was Dwight Howard's best moment of the post-season, when it really SHOULD have been his worst.
But, the game plan for Denver late last night was to get Jokic in situations close to the basket. In THOSE situations, it's imperative that you not have to double him, obviously, because he's one of the top 5 passers in the game. That's how Denver beats you - you double him, and he rips you to shreds. Jokic made some shots, yes, but he was FAR from efficient in the second half of the 4th and in overtime. WCS employed verticality SUPER effectively, and avoided fouling while playing (what was to me) surprisingly great defense. If my memory serves, the Mavs only doubled Jokic once, very late, and it worked well because it came as a total surprise (because they hadn't been doubling at all beforehand).
I'm sorry, but the fact that WCS stood toe to toe down the stretch with one of the best offensive players in the league and won more of the matchups than he lost is significant to me. I can't ignore that. I honestly don't think Porzingis would've done as well in the same situation (not that I'm in any way suggesting WCS should play ahead of KP).
Again, I do agree that there were some strategic things that Malone/Jokic/Denver could have done differently that might have changed the outcomes of those possessions...but, they didn't.