MInny has depth where even if there is a drop-off in talent/ ability, its managed by how their coaching hides it and attacks the other teams weaknesses.
KAT/dieng/ aldrich
taj gibson/ bjelica
wiggins/ shabazz
jimmy butler/ Jordan Crawford
teague/ thus jones/ aaron brooks

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Posted by Crewz

Member since Jun 2014

5093 posts

Posted on 2/12/18 at 10:54 am to NOFOX

I also think it's old habits catching up to them.

I just don't think these guys NATURALLY play the way our.coaching staff wants them to. They are not natural ball movers and cutters.

So, they come out in the first half and play the right way as it has been drilled in their head non stop. But then at some point in the game, when adversity hits, they resort back to their bad habits and the run commences

I can't count how many times I have seen the other team on an 8-0 and ADs answer is to dribble the ball up the court and take a mid range J.

To me, this trend won't stop until the right way becomes their natural way

This post was edited on 2/12/18 at 10:55 am

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Posted by TeddyPadillac

Member since Dec 2010

25454 posts

Posted on 2/12/18 at 11:21 am to TigerinATL

quote:
I think you're getting side tracked on semantics because you're pissed that AD isn't as good as he should be. He's ice, not fire, and that's probably not going to ever change. If you want to maximize his talent he needs to be surrounded by other good players. He's a co-lead at best.

i don't think so. WHile i agree with that, that's not why i'm lamenting on this tired excuse.
The only real coaching that happens in a regular season NBA game happens at half time. I'd attribute that, and what Crewz said about not playing the right way a lot more than a lazy excuse like being tired.

I am never going to buy into the idea that these guys are tired, or should be tired. They aren't doing anythign ground breaking or something thats never been done before.
Only two guys are playing big minutes. Jrue does not look tired. everyone else on the team besides AD has absolutely zero reason to be tired, so to say they are fatigued in the second half is a crock.

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Posted by Kingpenm3

Xanadu

Member since Aug 2011

8958 posts

Posted on 2/12/18 at 11:22 am to tehchampion140

quote:
Pels 3rd in NBA in 1st half PPG and 7th in 1st half differential

Thanks for putting some stats to this. It's been so obvious all year. Anyone have a rank for bench minutes this year? I think this is a depth issue more than anything. I mean how many times have we seen the other team go on a 10 point run and we rush AD back in the game before he was planned to go back in?

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Posted by corndeaux

Member since Sep 2009

9634 posts

Posted on 2/12/18 at 11:35 am to Crewz

quote:
But then at some point in the game, when adversity hits, they resort back to their bad habits and the run commences

+1

how demoralizing is it to sprint up the court only to watch a teammate take a semi contested pull up 2 with 18 seconds on the shot clock?

also think tired legs can play a role there too.

i do think the pace comparisons to other teams is overstated. on NBA.com, the Pels average 4 more possessions per game than the Wolves (23rd) and 6 more than Memphis (30th). that can compound over a season, sure. but 4-6 possessions a game more is tiring guys out in February? really?

what hurts more, imo, is the fact that the Pels rely so heavily on Davis/Cousins to do EVERYTHING on both sides. like noted above, Harden can hide out more easily on defense due to position and the quality defenders around him. not an option for the bigs in NO, especially when they play by themselves.

also think style of play in the half court matters- constant cutting, moving off and on the ball, sliding with ball handlers in PnR, closing out on shooters, getting to the nail, etc is exhausting. these asks didnt really exist 15 years ago. the modern style of play is not as physical, but it is much more taxing on the body

This post was edited on 2/12/18 at 11:36 am

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