09-24-2020, 02:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-24-2020, 03:14 PM by KillerLeft.)
(09-24-2020, 01:12 PM)fifteenth Wrote: Hey pal, if you're sitting with Rick, Donnie and Fin and watching Miami's playoff performance, and you guys are free flowing between team buiding talk and offensive and defensive systems talk, what are the take aways from the Heat show that you're pointing out to the Mavs architects?
Man, that's an interesting question.
Tbh, while I like what they're doing on both ends, systemically, and it's WAY different than what Dallas does, I think that's because the personnel is different and I wouldn't expect Dallas to copy much of it.
I do think their motion/cutting game is farther along. Miami is really good at keeping the ball stationary while running guys like Robinson and Herro off of multiple high screens until they can grab a handoff and get a shot off. It's not an inside/out play at all, as at no point do they even attempt to get the ball into the paint. It's actually weird to watch for a Mavs fan, because the ball stays still while everyone else is running like crazy. Robinson has the quickest release I've ever seen (or remember seeing) so he needs very little space and time to get it off. Herro and Dragic both have the option of flooring the ball if the shot isn't there, and they can both create opportunities for themselves or others off the drive. If all of that is working and the defense has to commit to stopping it, then they even start getting crazy easy cuts into the paint for layups, but when I watch them it seems like the first and primary goal early in games is for Robinson to get 3's off, and then it's all a domino effect from there.
We saw the Mavs try to implement some of that in the regular season, but they abandoned it completely in the bubble, probably because they have nobody to run it. KP is a better offensive player than Bam, but not when it comes to reading a defense and PASSING. So, to do the motion stuff, Bam is more well suited than KP, but there might be potential for KP to get better at it. In theory his shooting ability should make it even harder to guard, but Bam is REALLY gifted, basketball IQ wise, so it's easier said than done.
Goran/Bam pick and roll is used a lot like what the Mavs have Luka do, and it's really effective, but they don't lean on it quite as much as the Mavs do. The Mavs are different, though, in that their entire offense is built around up and comers, and while Miami is young, both Butler and Dragic are VERY experienced players, so if I had to guess I'd say that it's easier for them to apply things they've implemented in practice into real games effectively. I think Carlisle is having to hold back schematically to ensure that the team doesn't fall on their face a bit. If I'm right, we should see more stuff going forward.
Defensively, they have a variety of zone coverages. Their 2-3 zone is similar to the one Carlisle ran in 2011, only WAY more active. Like, those dudes are SCRAMBLING, and so far it has made teams look like fools for at least a 5 minute stretch of every game. It's really, really effective. At some point, they always play a 2-2-1 transition zone for a while, which basically lets them pick up the ball full court without being too vulnerable to long passes. It's really entertaining, but again, I don't think the Mavs are quite ready for that stuff (just my guess). Their main identity, defensively, is their ability to switch everything. Bam can literally guard 1-5, as can Crowder and Butler, tbh. Those three make them TOUGH on defense. Everyone else does a great job of at least playing their role on defense and not being a negative. Honestly, Iguoadala and Kendrick Nunn are the only two rotation players they have who have been ineffective.
I really don't think they've figured out how to do anything Carlisle doesn't know about, it's just that they have more experienced leadership. Both teams are well coached. Both teams move the ball. Dallas has the same "play hard and play for each other" attitude Miami has, they just don't have Butler, Dragic and Crowder to demand that they do that little bit extra to win.
It's true that Bam is a difference maker on defense, but no more so than Luka on offense. Every team's circumstances are different, and good coaches find a way to unbalance the equation in their favor. I thought Dallas played pretty hard on defense in the playoffs, but they just don't always understand how to win. I also think when your leaders (again, Butler, Dragic and Crowder) have been around the block, it's easier to get the young guys to buy into everything they need to do throughout the season in order to be ready to win in the playoffs. Put Herro, Nunn and Robinson on Sacramento, and they're probably still showing skill, but there's no way they're playing like this so early in their careers.
Dallas is going to get there. Experience matters! As I've been saying a lot recently, I fully expect everyone on the team, from Luka all the way down to Cleveland, to have a much better understanding of how to win in the NBA next season, now that they have a playoff series under their belt. Those who are back here, that is.
(09-24-2020, 01:18 PM)omahen Wrote:(09-24-2020, 01:12 PM)fifteenth Wrote: what are the take aways from the Heat show that you're pointing out to the Mavs architects?
That we need a "Butler/CP3/Lowry/insert other name" type ring hungry vet leader who will make everyone play defense or eat him alive. Or one of Luka/KP needs to grow up into that.
Way fewer words than I used, but the same message. Well done.
I'll say this for sure: to say that Carlisle out coached Spoelstra in 2011 is a massive understatement, but if that was the last time you checked in with Spo, you should understand that he's easily one of the best coaches in the NBA these days. Good for him.