I really hope Ime's watching it and the light bulb goes off where he goes "oh ****, there's that offensive system we've needed since I've ran the team." It's probably the only main negative I have for Ime is that he's never continued using Alpi as a playmaker despite all the flashes he showed in the Silas years.
I think that is partially a motor thing on Sengun part, a long with his touch a level up in conditioning could take him up another level.
Hopef Hopefully it was because he thought Sengun was too young and inexperienced to take that role, which is kind of true. But I don’t see any harm in getting 5-10 wins less in a development year to develop that aspect of his game. It will be harder now when the stakes are higher.
Tbh, I actually just don't think Ime's that creative on that side of the ball. So we run the most basic/rudimentary type of offense, which is the big men setting screens for the guards who handle the ball. He barely even throws wrinkles into that, never mind something as "progressive" as having a big man play make out of the post, that's like some crazy early 00's development or something?! (sarcasm, to prove the point lol.) I'm hoping KD being there and obviously being an offensive maestro will mean his mind helps Ime unlock our players by leaning into their strengths more than sticking to that rigid template offense Ime's ran so far. Or they get an offensive minded assistant, either works.
Another reason, I suspect, for his conservative offense is that he doesn't want turnovers. That's why FVV, a very low turnover PG, is so important for him. He is a possession kind of coach. You get more possessions by limiting turnovers and getting offensive rebounds. It kind of offset the low efficiency offense due to the lack of more sophisticated offenses. I think that kind of philosophy is fine for a low offensive talent roster. We now have better creators, I hope we are going to do better in utilizing the talents.
Not just he is not creative but he doesn't seem to be the type of coach to let his players be creative and be happy where it takes the team. He wants to be in control too much, a style that is not very well suited for the modern nba. I remember the disbelief on his face, when sengun passed it back to brooks when he was inbounding under the rim for an easy bucket. Apparently it wasn't the plan and he couldn't enjoy his young star's creativity. Luckily among all stars Sengun and KD are not characters who would mind it much. And I am hoping it will come to a natural balance as Sengun is getting more mature and a better player, KD has star power. And let's not forget Ime is a young coach as well. We always talk about how much room for growth Amen, Sengun and Tari have, but rarely mention the same thing for Ime.
I think you're reading too much into that possession with Brooks. I remember Ime smiling and reacting positively after the pass.
Of course, I am reading too much. I am concluding something from an expression on tv . He was smiling, but I also remember the look on Sengun's face, and the look exchange. This was my read on the whole situation. It just didn't look like a player and a coach celebrating.a perfect play. But I could be making the whole thing up. Edit: I didn't mean Ime was unhappy about the result.
I agree that Ime has not been doing the best job at utilizing Sengun's creativity as a playmaker and he doesn't like risky plays. Just for this particular instance though, I remember him having a positive reaction. It was early into his tenure, so maybe he wasn't that focused on minimizing risks.
Solid! I do fear for Sengun under Ime, I see him getting much less touches with KD here and the first to go in a trade. It’s sad but I don’t see a long term future with Ime basically running the show. Coaches who get to dictate everything rarely works out too.
Alpi is looking great! I really hope they let him handle from the top of the key and the elbow much more often next year.
I feel like Amen should easily be able to be a smaller but more explosive lob threat for Alpi to replicate some of this magic with Boner tbh.
It's been a lot of fun watching Sengun's highlights. He's putting on a real show in these games. He looks really good. I'm so amped for this season. October can't come quickly enough!
We can give Ime a pass easily since he achieved well so far and controlling was kind of necessary as well. The green experiment did not work but he definitely needed absolute control and he made Sengun a decent defender. So far it worked well enough, he just needs to trust the guys and let them loose a little bit more this year.
He better go to basketball confession after whiffing on a no look nutmeg assist. That’s a sin against the basketball gods. Repent!
That’s fair but absolute control I mean all around the organisation. He seems very rigid in how he wants the game to be played and has some blind spots, most around the need for putting guys in their best spots, favouring veterans and creative offense. But the counter to that is this team was still young and he really wanted them to keep it basic and set a foundation. Cannot fault him for that as the results were outstanding. I just get a sense that Sengun gets a very little short leech with him and you could see the frustration. Alpi handles it well though and seems not mind being pushed and the tough love. Ime might be perfect in that regard.
Pops was a hard arse but he had a likable character, Udoka is funny but lacked the charm.....when it is not about married females.
