Game 76 Dirkie Thread PJAIL

[omahen]

That is absolutely what’s happening. I don’t know if it’s so much about Gafford, but taking the roller away from Luka happens every year around this time. They used to do the same thing to Dwight Powell. And, you are absolutely correct that the remedy for this is for the shooters to actually hit shots.

This will be crucial. Teams like Minnesota and Denver will park their center "in the middle of the paint" daring guys like Exum, DJJ or PJ to shoot. Wings will guard the center and they will switch every screen. Basically what Mavs were doing to Giddey. Who cares if he hits 3 or 4 threes in a game, if you totally kill the flow of offense. The other key is to collect defensive rebounds after misses.

Counter strategy is of course to hit those shots and/or aggresive offensive rebounding.

Mavs fortunately have other possibilities. Even if paint will be packed, Luka and Kyrie are great further away from the basket. So before double teams come. If they will hit those shots, teams will have to spread their defenses and then the other guys will have way more room to operate.