This is probably the best explanation. The rotations need to be extra precise when facing a great offensive team like the Clippers, and it just hasn't been the case all playoffs long.
Lack of defense from guards, lack of energy, role players aren't making shots, offense looks panicked, out of sync in stretches but great when settled. Team just looks shell shocked. I still believe it could be 2-2. Which isn't bad at all.
I really think it's our defensive strategy that's letting us down. We have no problem scoring (despite the 9 minute dry patch in Game 3) but we give up far, far too many easy buckets on the other end.
I voted for injuries to Motiejunas and Beverley, because our guards are not filling the defensive role they need to be, there are only so many players we can switch Ariza on to. Plus, we desperately need another option at PF. Smith and Jones just haven't stepped up against the Clippers yet, and we could really use a 7'0" Lithuanian to body-up on Griffin right now.
i don't know which national hater said it last season but it kind of rings truth, ' when your back up pg is the toughest player, you have issues.'
Rose has a Jimmy Butler... Lebron has a Kyrie Irving... Wall has a Beal... Curry has a Klay Thompson... ---- Harden has....? Nobody. ---- It's simple.. if Harden doesn't play great whether it's by passing and his teammates making the shots, or Harden just taking over and playing great usually for more than 2-3 quarters... Rockets (we) 90% lose the game. Yeah, James has a Dwight, but Dwight is a center who really can't create for himself. No dribble... All the names I said above that are in the playoffs right now still, they have a second guy who can dribble and create their own shot... Harden is a one man show. If Harden only had a Klay Thompson, or a Jimmy Butler... or a Kyrie Irving... Sigh... OK, I shall go cry a little now.
Dwight has been a beast this post season, if anything..."Dwight has nobody" should be the narrative. He's also the only one displaying anything resembling leadership, and by example on the floor I may add.
If you ask anyone of those else you named, they would all pick Dwight easily as their side kick. Heck, Wall would be Dwight's side kick.
The single statistic that defines our losses is our rebounding deficiency. We lose when we get blasted on the glass. And that comes down to mostly effort.
Agree. Possible fix - build your team in the off-season, not the regular season by bargain shopping in December or Feb. The team/coaches prioritized defense in training camp, and it showed - even without Howard, they were great defensively. The defense started going south when roster shakeups started happening. This was all before DMo and Pat went out with injuries.
