I was reading some threads and articles to find out why a run-and-gun offense is not as effective in the playoffs. The gist of some views: One of the main problems has been that a lot of the fast paced teams have become so because they can't play defense but have scorers, so they decide to outscore their opponents instead of trying to stop them. Run and gun is to compensate for the lack of a good or dominant inside scorer, good defensive players, or a small lineup. A reason this system falls short is if they lack the toughness to continue playing the same style in the playoffs- when the game gets more physical. (GSW beat the Dallas with the same style, b/c they had tougher players for a highly physical game.) Some people say these teams can't execute in the half-court or because they can't score when the pace slows down. But that isn't true, a lot of the run and gun teams that have failed to win in the playoffs were good secondary break (half-court) teams. (Nash's Suns had an unstoppable high pick and roll in the half-court.) But they were not able to make stops. When everybody is going all out in the playoffs, there are no easy looks. Your shots aren't always going to be there so you either have to know how to stop the other team, or take it to the rim. Which of these might hurt us (or help us, if we switch more focus to) the most?
Achilles heel implies one big weakness when everything else is perfect. That's just not the case with the Rockets. They're a very good but flawed team.
Unless we're playing an elite team that just dominates us, we'll still be able to inflict some damage with our perimeter shooting and break - just not as much. Like you said, you need an effective half-court option that can get you easy buckets. Elite bigs were the easiest solution to this in the past, but a guy like LeBron is so dominant that Miami didn't need one. Either way, you do need finishers (which we don't really have), physical defenders inside and out (we have a few, but probably not enough), shooters (check) and a go-to superstar (check). I think finishers are what sets a team like Denver apart from us (along with more overall depth). We do have something they don't, in Harden. In recent years, the most versatile, adjustable team has won the title. They were teams that could withstand any opposing attack, and adjust on both ends. 11-12 Miami was incredibly malleable and versatile on both sides. 10-11 Dallas could play finesse ball or get physical on D. 08-10 LAL beat people up inside and could fire it up from outside with the perimeter-based teams.
Only a week and a half(!) before we get answers to the question of how well our offensive style plays in the post-season. Because it's a series, I'm interested in seeing whether we can make adjustments faster and better than our opponent, whoever that turns out to be. The fact that our system gives the guys so much freedom may mean that unpredictability could become a big factor in our favor (and hopefully not a liability because of inexperience). For me, making it past the first round would be better than sex!
i think their youth and inexperience actually will help them in the playoffs. they have nothing to lose. this season is already a success. they should be playing free, without a care in the world, and this looseness will actually help our offense. this is in opposition to a team like the thunder, who have a ton of pressure and may not play as "loose" or carefree
These offenses don't really work in the playoffs.. We've said that for years about other teams but now some members are biased towards it because it's our offense now. While Chandler and Lin are good players, they are basically outmatched in the playoffs. Lin has to either most likely play Tony Parker or Westbrook.. Chandler is hoping he doesn't have to guard Durant I'm sure! I think Ibaka and Duncan can handle Asik imo.. hopefully Harden doesn't rely on calls too much because he probably wont get as many during the playoffs.
I'll go with the Youth. Only Harden, Asik and Delfino have experience, and Asik and Delfino have limited at that. We r a run'n'gun team, so, defense is never going to be there, we win if we make shots, lose if we don't, that system isn't flawed, it's just unpredictable. I think we do fine in the paint, and the 2nd superstar won't matter either, because if we face the nugs, they have 0 and just wtfpwn us every time.
1: Defense. This can't be stressed enough 2: turning the ball over too much will lead to in-game meltdowns
