Great writeup ML!
Huge difference to last season. Luka always adapts. Last season Luka did not had a mid range game, and was bothered consistently by Zubac inside rim protection. Now? Now he has no answer for Luka, as Luka can make the mid range whenever Zubac makes that cushion. Thats what makes the all-time greats - the ability to adapt their game and add skillsets and develop. Luka was even looking for the Zubac matchup throughout the game. Last season, he tried to avoid this matchup, as his inside rim protection is really great, Luka only had the 3 point shot there whenever Zubac was defending him. Now indeed, Zubac seems useless.
Three things:
If 1) THJ can keep up the shooting, and 2) KP gets better protecting our own rim like I know he can do, and 3) We dont get any injuries, if all three are fulfilled, I see literally no opponent in the NBA, that can beat us.
A fourth thing almost made the list, the ability to take advantage over Luka double teams. I felt before we were horrible taking advantage of that. But this season, things look different, and we do know how to punish teams doubling Luka. Now always, and as much as we should, but enough to make any team thing twice about it. We saw that yesterday as well, Mavs had the schemes ready for the double teams. Not every time, but effective enough IMO. We will see a lot more of that, and different types of double teams throughout playoffs. This will get critical. IMO Luka should recieve the ball in the high post, this should be his first contact with the basketball. From there on, the double teams are less effective than higher uo the court where they can force the ball out of Luka more effectively.
Ive been wrong about THJ. He is clearly the better starter compared to JRich. He is just a far far far better shooter and that changes the offense completely with an elite shooter next to Luka. Out starting lineup is the best one we can place and nightmare matchup for any defense. Getting in front of games is critical. Every minute in a game is just not equal. Getting in front has a huge psychological impact that your best starting lineup is better than the opponents. It sticks in the mind of players.
Huge difference to last season. Luka always adapts. Last season Luka did not had a mid range game, and was bothered consistently by Zubac inside rim protection. Now? Now he has no answer for Luka, as Luka can make the mid range whenever Zubac makes that cushion. Thats what makes the all-time greats - the ability to adapt their game and add skillsets and develop. Luka was even looking for the Zubac matchup throughout the game. Last season, he tried to avoid this matchup, as his inside rim protection is really great, Luka only had the 3 point shot there whenever Zubac was defending him. Now indeed, Zubac seems useless.
Three things:
If 1) THJ can keep up the shooting, and 2) KP gets better protecting our own rim like I know he can do, and 3) We dont get any injuries, if all three are fulfilled, I see literally no opponent in the NBA, that can beat us.
A fourth thing almost made the list, the ability to take advantage over Luka double teams. I felt before we were horrible taking advantage of that. But this season, things look different, and we do know how to punish teams doubling Luka. Now always, and as much as we should, but enough to make any team thing twice about it. We saw that yesterday as well, Mavs had the schemes ready for the double teams. Not every time, but effective enough IMO. We will see a lot more of that, and different types of double teams throughout playoffs. This will get critical. IMO Luka should recieve the ball in the high post, this should be his first contact with the basketball. From there on, the double teams are less effective than higher uo the court where they can force the ball out of Luka more effectively.
Ive been wrong about THJ. He is clearly the better starter compared to JRich. He is just a far far far better shooter and that changes the offense completely with an elite shooter next to Luka. Out starting lineup is the best one we can place and nightmare matchup for any defense. Getting in front of games is critical. Every minute in a game is just not equal. Getting in front has a huge psychological impact that your best starting lineup is better than the opponents. It sticks in the mind of players.