Go over every CP3 PnR and have man guarding Blake/DJ stay somewhat attached to them (to take away the pocket pass and lob) but still close enough to somewhat contest a CP3 drive. Dude clearly can't move. By going under you give him open looks while putting no pressure on his hamstring. By following him around ball screens and funneling him towards the rim, you make him work by driving and finishing over/around 7 footers. Also, make him work on defense! Run Terry around screens like he's JJ. Never play Jones or Smith at the 5 again, ESPECIALLY when Jordan is in the game. That stretch at the end of third coincided with Dwight coming out while DJ was in the game, and the Clippers, specifically Rivers, had layup lines. Also DJ grabbed 4 boards in that 2:23 stretch. I would suggest having Dwight in at all times DJ is in, or play Capela in the 2nd half at the very least.
Very good ideas. The Flippers have arguably the best interior defense in the NBA. By doing what you've suggested I think the team would stop playing in to the opponent's strengths. We struggle versus the Clippers because we often force it inside to much and take well-contested difficult layup attempts. Seems like that style is an uphill grind. I'd like to see Harden look for mid-range to even long 2's coming off screens from Smith. TJ/TERRY off the bench would be a great adjustment. SMITH can add most value by defending and containing Griffin on both ends of the floor. Smith's only focus is to wear down Griffin. Less dribbling from James and just make a move and get a good shot off. Open up a smooth post entry to Howard. He needs more touches. Basically I think if smith can redirect his focus to mitigate Griffin and open up the 2-man go-to game between Howard and Harden on the offensive end; the overall defensive flow of the game will improve as well. Need to improve on defensive rebounding. Smith is so valuable because I believe if coached correctly he can play a valuable role to the team. Start Prigs, Harden, Ariza, Smith, Howard Backup rotation/subs - Terry, Jones, Brewer, Capella, Dorsey, Pap, NJ
Jones is just getting eaten alive out there. Idk if it's a question of heart or talent but it seems like Blake griffin is getting whatever he wants against jones. Also, Jones just looks kinda scared out there imo; he has shown to be a good finisher around the rim during the regular season, but now he's choking on all those lay ups around the rim.
Adjustments: Hack-a-Jordan for one half, hope to get a lead(they didn't), and get the game to the 2nd half. Well they got to the 2nd half, except the Rockets quit again and the Clippers blew them out again. GAME.OVER.
The Chronicle could put out a "Quit City" article, tombstones and all, and the team would still roll over and die. This team has no heart and it's a reflection of its leaders, apparently.
Not that my suggestions amount to anything. But I saw no adjustments out there save for everybody hacking DeAndre. Now we're down 3-1 and it's really too late for real adjustments that should have happened before game 4. But even worse than that they should have happened after DMO went out. Very aggravating. McHale reminds me of Dale Brown. Great recruiter. Terrible X's and O's coach.
Adjustments for Game 5: Give McHale sleeping pills and leave on the bus without him. Guaranteed instant results.
Have Joey Dorsey defend the next CP3 / Griffin pick & roll and demolish both of them , sending them to the ER.
On second thought , bench Howard & Harden .... Hacka-DJ while they Hacka-Dorsey the entire first half .... Still find a way to lose by 60 .... Fire McHale.
We supposedly have the deeper bench, we are pretty young, CP3 is banged up (or has been) I don't see why we're not running more, except to say that when we did in game 1 the passing was so bad that we slowed everything down. No one is hitting jack in the paint, they're doubling everything worthwhile, getting the benefit of playing the more aggressive game without getting caught, while we are in foul trouble every night. I think we need to pick up the pace, go back to getting more possessions, and do so without turning the ball over 30 times. I think we gave up on ourselves when we came out in game one and struggled with shooting % and turnovers, but had we protected the ball better and shot just a bit better, we'd have won that game, and this would all be a different story. As it is, our confidence appears shot, and the garm is the most skyfallin' depressionfest I have ever seen. We're giving these guys too much time to do what they want to us, we need to make them work and give them less time to react.
I want to see more off ball screens and back picks. I want guards to set picks for the big men to free them up and get them deeper into the paint. More mid range jumpers because clippers seem content to run our shooters off the 3 line and collapse hard into the paint. Attack the front of the rim with something more than a floater. it seems our players are trying too hard to finesse themselves around the defender instead of into the defender. You might pick up a charge or two but make sure if you are going to charge, make it hurt. Use some double screens/picks. This harden ISO or dwight post makes our offense so stagnant. Plus clippers are fast enough to keep up with our motion offense. off screens and picks will allow other guys to free up for shots. work that clock and tire them out on defense. these quick shots and long rebounds are playing into the clippers strategy. Of course all of this would have been nice if they practiced it during the regular season. We're a limited offensive team NOT because we don't have the talent but because we didn't bother exploring other options until it's too late. Reminds me of that guy on street fighter that used the same technique to win over and over again but once you figured him out, he didn't have any other tricks up his sleeve.
