05-05-2021, 07:13 AM
(05-05-2021, 06:30 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: The way the Mavs handled the Luka trap is the story of the game. With WCS and JRich the spacing was off and the Mavs lacked off ball movement. With Powell and Green on the floor the Mavs created a wide open shot every single time.
Off ball movement and rotations are crucial and some guys simply do a better job. This is just my eyetest but it feels like Maxi, KP, WCS, JRich and THJ rarely cut to the basket or try to create passing lanes for Luka when he is getting trapped. Powell, Melli, Green and Brunson are making the right reads and movements to get open.
It´s really easy to spot the difference when it comes to the bigmen. Everyone on the team should know that the trap is coming. WCS isn´t even watching Luka and just goes through the usual motions, waits for Luka to call the screen. Powell and Melli recognize what is happening and immediately rotate to the top of the key/ FT line. When Luka finds them they have an 4vs3 situation and just need to make the right read.
Good stuff. Willie's court awareness is really bad at times. He gets a lot of praise here because his on court defensive numbers are so good. I have to wonder if KP has more to do with Willie's (and Powell's) good defensive +/- numbers than Willie does. The team gives up 118 per with KP on the floor. If you aren't on when KP is playing and the team has an overall D-Rating of 113, then you are going to have really good numbers. The question is whether it is because of how good you are or because of how bad KP has been?