I posted this in another thread, but I really wish they would have pressed back when things started going the wrong way. I know conventional wisdom is you have the lead and they are trying to pick up the pace to get back in it, so you try to slow it down, but as it did tonight, they got tentative and got out of rhythm, playing really lethargic.
Harp made a good point later in the game about it basically being 3 G-Leaguers who haven't got a lot of experience, RHJ and Lowry... Made me think that we should have started pressing them in the middle of their run.
My thinking is that, yeah, it would have sped things up, but I'm betting three really low experience guys in a lineup that doesn't play much, would have a hard time beating the press without mistakes, more than our guys. That would have kept our energy up and since conventional wisdom expects the team in the lead to slow it down, I think it would have been unexpected for the Raps and would have broken their rhythm.
Those young guys were just reacting and not thinking, playing really loose...if you press them, make them think, maybe make a few mistakes and get down on themselves...maybe this doesn't happen.
Another thing.
I don't know if it's Rick's offensive philosophy or what, but Jalen Brunson just baffles me sometimes.
Here is a guy that's supposed to know about running a team, College Basketball Player of the Decade, who's allegedly a smart player, and AGAIN, tonight, he goes old school, young-and-stupid JJBarea.
Three STRAIGHT TRIPS down the court, when we need a basket, he passes on Kyle Lowry switched off on KP in the post TWICE in a row and the other with KP wide open at the 3 point line, in favor of 2 forced missed shots and a turnover.
I just don't understand how a smart player can do this...and it's not the first time at all.
Harp made a good point later in the game about it basically being 3 G-Leaguers who haven't got a lot of experience, RHJ and Lowry... Made me think that we should have started pressing them in the middle of their run.
My thinking is that, yeah, it would have sped things up, but I'm betting three really low experience guys in a lineup that doesn't play much, would have a hard time beating the press without mistakes, more than our guys. That would have kept our energy up and since conventional wisdom expects the team in the lead to slow it down, I think it would have been unexpected for the Raps and would have broken their rhythm.
Those young guys were just reacting and not thinking, playing really loose...if you press them, make them think, maybe make a few mistakes and get down on themselves...maybe this doesn't happen.
Another thing.
I don't know if it's Rick's offensive philosophy or what, but Jalen Brunson just baffles me sometimes.
Here is a guy that's supposed to know about running a team, College Basketball Player of the Decade, who's allegedly a smart player, and AGAIN, tonight, he goes old school, young-and-stupid JJBarea.
Three STRAIGHT TRIPS down the court, when we need a basket, he passes on Kyle Lowry switched off on KP in the post TWICE in a row and the other with KP wide open at the 3 point line, in favor of 2 forced missed shots and a turnover.
I just don't understand how a smart player can do this...and it's not the first time at all.
"There are no friends on the court." - Luka Doncic