I'd figure out a way to build a team this offseason that defensively could stop the Warriors. I think they're the only team that have the potential to be a disrupting force against GS if they built the roster right and schemed for it offensively. The only way to stop small ball would be to play close to the hoop with high percentage shots, and beat up Draymond on the defensive end / force Warriors not to switch. I'd look to play slow, Memphis-style offense with Cousins/Davis banging the ball down low, and this summer let Holiday walk, stretch Asik's contract to free up a bit of money and go for George Hill to be your defensive minded PG, then add Andre Roberson, Tony Allen and Sefolosha, just have endless defense only guys you can rely on. You can always find shooters for cheap. Just look to figure out a way to defensively go toe-to-toe against the Warriors. Hill on Curry, Roberson on Durant, Allen on Klay, Cousins / Davis on Draymond.
If they can finesse their way to getting CP3 back to NO then ooowee that's a serious team Also you're going to need Davis to be able to defend Durant.
Why do people think you need to be big to score a lot in the paint? Steph and Kyrie are better and more prolific paint scorers than most bigs. If the Pelicans strategy works it's by controlling the boards, shutting down the lane defensively and slowing the game down. Unfortunately they'd still be stuck with AD and Boogie on the perimeter trying to guard the Ws backcourt and wing players. Not pretty. Pelicans sucked just as much with Boogie as without.
"You can always find shooters on the cheap" Ryan Anderson gets paid 18 ****ing million dollars. Wha ??? Lol
In the modern NBA, the twin towers strategy is dead in the water unless both bigs are incredibly agile and can guard the perimeter. We all know that isn't Cousins.
Blueprint for Pelican domination. Step 1: win more than 34 games by ??? Step 2: ???? Step 3: Zag while the Warriors zig, shock the world. I like your step 3
That's because they play against this lineup. pg Harden sg Curry sf Thompson pf Durant C Greene Seriously though. Who wins... pg Paul sg Wade sf Lebron pf Cousins C Davis I'm not sure who I would pick.
A dominant defensive and rebounding team is exactly the type of team that's going to beat GS. I think the Spurs build it + have efficient mistake free offense. Pop will figure it out.
You have to take into account the fact that the defense is worried about the 3 allowing someone like Steph to finish with little resistance. But, it's also the way the NBA rules have made it easier for perimeter players to score and harder for defenders and especially bigs to defend. AD and Boogie are definitely versatile enough to defend out on the perimeter and inside though, so that could be key.
Nick Young averaged 2.8 three's/game on 40% from 3 - made $5.6 million Wayne Ellington averaged 2.4 three's/game on 37% from 3 - made $6 million Troy Daniels averaged 2.1 threes/game on 38% from 3 - made $3.3 million CJ Miles averaged 2.2 threes/game on 41% from 3 - made $4.5 million Seth Curry average 2 threes/game on 42% from 3 - made $2.8 million Langston Galloway, Joe Harris, Joe Ingles, Dion Waiters, Jodie Meeks etc. loads of guys who aren't high ticket players who can hit threes. Pelicans already have Jordan Crawford as one cheap guy who can do some damage on the outside, he hit 1.9 threes/game at 39% in only 19 games last season and he's due to make $1.7 million. Tons of players who can hit threes in D-League or Europe, look at Yogi Ferrell, came out of nowhere midseason and finished at 1.7 threes/game on 40% from three.
there is no such defense that can stop that warriors lineup. stop dreaming NO has there own problems to deal with and GS is the last thing they would should be worried about when they're not even a playoff team
The Pelicans would be wise to try to trade Cousins for a Jimmy Butler, Paul George type. A perimeter scorer would be very helpful- especially if he can play D.
