Coaching in Review - First 3 Games

What I Like

- The volume of 3 pt attempts per game in comparison to the past. I'd venture to say that shooting better in the past 2 would have seen this volume increase. Healthy, we will likely hover in the 22 3PA/game at this clip, especially if Jimmer can get out of Monty's Doghouse.

- The Big Man Rotation - Last night aside due to foul trouble, we are making sure 2 of our 3 quality bigs are on the floor at all times.

- The short leash on the "traditional" small forwards. Salmons played poorly in the first half of the first 2 games and didn't see the floor in the second.

What I Don't Like - Monty Ball Is Back Edition

- Seeing that zone at any point ever. I've yet to see a successful zone defense under Monty Williams at any point with him as head coach.

- Should be first. The fact this isn't first shows how much I HATE going zone. Anthony Davis needs to TOUCH THE BALL on offense. You have a talent as unique as this man. Use it for crying out loud. Why our offense runs from the outside-in instead of inside-out through Davis is beyond me. Kick-out opportunities, Davis being involved early, making them double, opposing big foul trouble...the list goes on.

- Ladies and gentlemen, hard hedging is officially BACK. REJOICE! After playing off the PnR the first game and having Davis/Asik combine for 14 blocks, Monty went back to his old bag of tricks.

- Quit helping Davis on defense for the love of god. He's got this. You don't see OKC crashing down on Ibaka's man (not saying Davis is on the level of Ibaka atm). The help often leads to wipe open 3s or cutters that eventually lead to shots at the rim as opposed to a big man having to take contested shots over Davis.

- Of course there are the usual suspects that have been rehashed over and over. Monty calling timeouts when your team has the momentum is by far the dumbest thing unique to this moron.

- If your team is supposed to be a reflection of it's coach, it's hard to argue with this team. Monty is FAR from a calming presence. When things are bad, our team looks hesitant and confused, starts bitching at officials, and lacks confidence. Sounds familiar?

Summary

I really liked what I saw from Monty in the first game. He looked a completely different coach. These last 2 games have looked so much like the old Monty that I'm already ready to move on. I just honestly think the man's basketball IQ is too low to be a head coach at this level. To top that off, his motivational tactics are non-existent, and his personality brings more harm than good to a game where mental toughness is half the battle.

TL:DR - Tavares is back. That new coach that we were supposed to see is dead.