(05-19-2021, 05:16 PM)Jommybone Wrote: Dahlism, gracias. Yes, blowing big leads looks like volatility at its most obvious. Or as the TNT crew likes to say, live by the 3, die by the 3.
Dare I go one step further and call 2-point shots “conservative” and 3 pointers, um, “liberal”? (I know, I know. Bad idea on a discussion board.)
De nada, mi amigo.
To add, blowing big leads with time running out is only one of the most obvious symptoms of what you well termed as a volatility issue a team may have. In general the top teams, the real contenders have less bust and boom throughout their games than the rest of the field.
One of the common elements I've seen overall is that despite the 'small ball' era where guards and wings generally became more valuable than Bigs at C and PF, the top teams still generally have superior play inside from their big men. Last year the Lakers had not only AD for example but had former Allstar Dwight Howard and former champion and ex-Mav Javale McGee among others playing key roles in putting their roster over the top. This year they made sure to get even stronger inside with another veteran NBA champ in Gasol, former 6th man Montrez etc. then going out and adding yet another All star quality big in Drummond!
The Toronto Raptors before that had Gasol and Ibaka next to Siakam, GSW always had quality big guys like David West, Kevon ex-mavs McGee and Pachulia surrounding stars Draymond and Durant.
This year at 2 centers are in the top 5 MVP running for front leading teams, etc. etc.
Superior play from a teams front line bigs reduces volatility not only with inside offensive options but with tough rebounding, offensive boards with high percentage put backs and 2nd chance offensive opportunities, free throw line advantages and the obvious bigger bodies at the rim on defense.