We all know the basic triple threat position.....allows you to prepare to shoot, pass or dribble. Our problem, plain and simple, is we lack enough players who can do these things well enough to threaten them and have the defense react significantly. We have too many guys who are just good athletes who barely do just one of these things well and they're just variations of each other. We need more guys who can do 2-3 of them, or at least, can do one very well. Why is this important? Because when things tighten up in the playoffs it's no longer about how many threes or free throws you took in practice. It's about what you can do well, almost without thinking, because there won't be time to think much. We have too many guys trying to cover up their lack of talent in these areas with extra practice, extra hustle, extra effort. Well, in the playoffs, everyone else is ready to give extra too. That's why we got away with it during the season, but not anymore, not when we face real talent (obviously Mavs were not that). That's why guys are frustrated. Because they're trying and they just aren't good enough to make the necessary plays. It's killing their confidence, which effects overall effort, like with defense. Defense is an issue, sure, a big one, but it's more effort and strategy based than offense. As long as you don't have a extremely slow or short team, you should be ok, with sound coaching... Which brings me to McHale. We all know he's more of a psychologist with a post game, but we also know JB gets a lot of props around the league, including from players, for his coaching. I think this group would be better, if they had more to work with on the court. I think they're trying to play using their strengths, which aren't many offensively. The clippers are a very good offense team. They have a nicely balanced starting 5. CP and Blake practically do it all. DeAndre does the dirty work down low. Barnes does the dirty work on the perimeter and can shoot. Redick shoots very well. They are actually a great example of what the Rockets could (should?) strive for going forward. Jones, Johnson, Papa, Dmo, Harden are or are closer to triple threats than everyone else. Unfortunately, 2 of the 5 don't play and one is out, so that limits them even more. Brewer, Ariza, Smith, Capela, Dorsey, McDaniels, and Howard are practically in the same group. None of them excel at passing, shooting, or driving. That's just over half the roster. 5 are in the current rotation. Beverely is just a shooting threat, as he's not a creative passer or even really tries to be a passer, period. Doesn't look to drive much, if at all. (Would be great to replace him with Llull, who's not excellent at any of these things, but he does a solid job with all three. Definitely capable.) Prigs and Terry are grandpas. This off season Morey needs to re-think bringing back most of these guys, which he said he would. That second group really needs to improved. Howard and Capela should and will stay, of course....but the group of Dorsey/Smith/Ariza/Brewer/McDaniels needs a significant upgrade/changes. I know people love Ariza's defense, i do too, but he needs better offense around him to stay , IMO. Again, Llull would help, otherwise Ariza is tempted to do more offensively, which isn't pretty. it's difficult to defend this Clipper team, but with a better offense we should have been able to run with them and stay in these games, at least.
Papanikalou helped keep us afloat early in the season. And he actually has a chance to make shot every now and then. Josh smith needs all his mins cut if he isn't playing defense. Dude doesn't even attempt to block shots anymore.
What does that even mean? Non threats Howard IS capable of taking over a series by himself. Just not against a team like the Clippers. Smith is an excellent passer. He's big enough to bully himself in. Adequate shooter. Decent handles for his build
Non-threats Capela Dorsey McDaniels Terry Prigioni Johnson Papa Jones Single threats Jones Brewer Ariza Smith <strike>Motiejunas</strike> <strike>Beverley</strike> Of course none are in this series Double threats Howard Quintuple threats Harden
And where is Jones? Sick handles for his size. Strenches the floor, can drive on big men, athletic. Is he a non threat? Who is Johnson? That skinny dude that helps distribute power aid?
By triple threat, I was alluding to the triple threat position..sorry, I guess it wasn't as obvious as I expected it to be. Able to make shots, drive, make good pass....consistently If Howard needs to go against weaker defenders to be effective in the post, then no, he's not a threat down there, not consistently. There's a reason why they decided to convince him to become DeAndre Jordan 2.0. Smith makes good passes, then terrible passes. Has terrible shot selection. You can't be a threat, if you're ineffective, with whatever skills you possess. If you want, you can bump them to single threats, but that doesn't help much.
If it clears anything up, we need more "basketball players" and less of athletes with length trying to play basketball..
I think i understand what you are saying. You must have been especially frustrated to see what Crawford, Rivers and JJ did to us. I totally agree with you. The lack of options limits us offensively and contributes to sticky ball.
Yeah, we need guys with multiple skills that opponents respect. Keeps defense on their toes, moving, guessing and not predicting. Gives us more options. Fans want plays and adjustments..but how do you adjust, when your next option is the same? You can't...just gotta do the same thing with the next option, sprinkle in a "try harder" and go play. Wait for the momentum to shift...hard to be proactive. When things tighten up and every posession matters, players just revert back to who they really are. Ours are just athletes, not shooters, passers, etc.
I would keep Ariza, McDaniels, DMO and Beverely (only if he signs a cheap contract) and get rid of Brewer, Smith, Dorsey. Keep 1 of Prigioni or Terry.
I agree with the premise. We have a team of specialists and as I said in another thread, Morey (maybe not by choice) keeps grabbing more specialists to fill the gaps in team skills instead of grabbing more rounded players. Jason Terry doesn't make Bev a better shooter, Brewer doesn't make Terry any faster, Prigioni doesn't make Josh Smith a better decision maker, Ariza doesn't make Terry any taller and on and on and on.
Just watch how many players from ATL-WSH fit what OP is talking about. Such a basic necessity in today's NBA
