(06-03-2021, 08:14 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: I think it was more about the commitment to stay big all game as opposed to starting Bobi. We know what the game looks like if we try to match up small ball with small ball. They are by far the better team.
Bingo. As informative and helpful as any stats may be they are always limited by their context and assumptions.
The coaches have to play the chess game with their eyeballs as well as their stats.
The commitment to stay big all game long created an exhaustion factor that I don't think we've seen at all against the Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard literally shot a couple of way off air balls by the end of game. He just doesn't do that normally.
Watch closely how much energy and effort the Clippers exert to guard against both KP and Boban. Even if they are successful it is a load that takes a toll.
I watched guys like Morris, Batum get down in stance and fight to keep Boban off the boards.
Maybe fatigue contributes to all those Clipper turnovers and even key misses?
Add to that how when Powell, Kleber and WCS roll in they have a full stock of energy and all their fouls available to them!
Coach already pointed out how he uses KP to force spacing even when he's not the primary target shooting the ball.
KP even though he's not putting up Unicorn numbers provides gravity to the perimeter.
Similarly Boban pulls incredible gravity spacing energy INTO the paint. He absolutely cannot be ignored heading toward the rim. His man is completely attached, at least one man.
He provides Luka more driving room without question against what really is an elite defense.
On the other end its the 14-7 Zone. Nice work Dan.
We could look at the rotations like handing off the baton in relay races. The choice of who runs what leg against whom is critical.
The question would have to be how much more effective are the 2nd rotation of BIG men coming in behind KP and Boban versus when they have to carry the load from start to finish against the Clipper starters?
Games 3 and 4 suggested that they don't carry the load all that well for 40 minutes chasing an elite small ball squad.
Asked to run the 2nd and 4th leg only however ...
