We're talking about a skill where the elite miss roughly 55%-60% of the time. Nearly every 3 point shooter is going to be streaky by definition. I think LilWezyAna is right and you think the Pels are streakier than normal because they're the team you watch enough to see the 62% of the times they miss.

This whole thread is focused on the wrong thing IMO. It's the right problem but the wrong solution. The Miami game last night really illustrated it. Good defensive teams can both pack the paint and challenge spot up 3 point shooters. So you need another option when that happens.

Ingram is supposed to be our midrange scorer that opens everything else up, but he's been slumping, and last night he really didn't try much in the midrange, it was all 3s and drives. JJ also makes a big difference because he's not just a spot up shooter, he's a constant motion shooter that bends the defense.

Against Miami there were 4 key plays that kept the offense from really stalling out, an E'Tuwan Moore floater, a Josh Hart Drive, a Lonzo mid range pull up jumper, and a Brandon Ingram 17 footer off a Favors screen. Yes they hit some timely 3s too, but that in between game will be there when teams take away the rim and 3 point line.

That's what the Pels need to improve, the in between game, not shoot 39% from 3 instead of 38%. And they don't even necessarily need new players to do it, Lonzo just needs to get more reliable with that mid range jumper, teams will leave him open for it. And as analytically inefficient a shot as it is, we need Ingram to work that midrange game more so the Pels can shift where the defense is focused.

This post was edited on 3/7/20 at 8:29 am

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Posted by Bronc

Member since Sep 2018

12646 posts

Posted on 3/7/20 at 8:56 am to TigerinATL

quote:
We're talking about a skill where the elite miss roughly 55%-60% of the time. Nearly every 3 point shooter is going to be streaky by definition. I think LilWezyAna is right and you think the Pels are streakier than normal because they're the team you watch enough to see the 62% of the times they miss.

I’m taking that into account, I have a league pass device specifically because I like to follow lots of basketball. Which I think helps get fans out of their tunnel vision about their own team and see the landscape more clearly. we are still filled with individuals that are more streaky than teams others have mentioned. Good teams, even great ones, make up any of that difference through synergy. We are elite the way we are in that area because of how we have used the roster and how we have been mostly really smart in our three point shooting. If Jrue isn’t hot we aren’t pushing him to shoot 10 a game like D’Antoni might. And like you say, you kiss more than you make, even with more reliable threats synergy is still important.

I agree with what you are saying about needing more consistent generators of scoring, my initial point before having to defend a widely understood concept is that one of the ways that would really improve that and more importantly Zion’s game, is finding a rim protecting five that can space the floor. Less so about ticking us from 38 to 39%, but more about pulling a defender away from the lane so guys like Ingram/Lonzo/and especially Zion can go to work more easily. Ideally, and almost non-negotiable, that five needs to be an excellent rim protector and defender on the other end. There a rare beast, but at this point it seems clear how teams are trying to defend Zion and having four shooters around him, some of which can generate their own individual offense, while not getting gouged defensively is going to be important.

So I really hope we make another play for someone like Turner. Someone that most think should be shooting more threes a game but is overall a glue guy with a lot of portability in his skillset. A guy that gives you everything of Favors and more, plus can stretch a defense and allow people like Zion to create havoc.

This post was edited on 3/7/20 at 8:59 am

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Posted by corndeaux

Member since Sep 2009

9634 posts

Posted on 3/7/20 at 9:35 am to TigerinATL

quote:
This whole thread is focused on the wrong thing IMO. It's the right problem but the wrong solution. The Miami game last night really illustrated it. Good defensive teams can both pack the paint and challenge spot up 3 point shooters. So you need another option when that happens.

It comes down to off the bounce juice.

When things get tight late or in the playoffs, the refs tend to swallow the whistle. If you're running off ball action, but the defense can hold/push/shove, it's dead in the water. This happened to the Warriors v the Cavs. Literally the reason they felt they needed Durant- a guy who can get a good shot on his own v any defense.

And I don't think they can just get better tempo in the clutch if it is more about more contact being allowed.

This more than anything else is the Gentry offense critique that no one talks about.

The Pels don't have a guy who can take contact, fight through it, and still get off a good shot for himself or others. Or a guy who can beat his man one v one and find a good shot for himself or others. Ingram may get there, but he needs time. Same with Zion.

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