It might take a risk to really turn this series around because Utah seemed to control the game from the start and we don't seem to have an answer for their offense (52% shooting) I would like to see our best defender harrass Deron Williams. Utah places the ball in Williams hands 90% of the time he is in the game. They really don't have anyone else to run their offense. I would like to see Battier put on Williams. Williams is not that quick, he is more physical and Battier has the height and intensity to harrass him. Why not start these five- Battier- guarding Williams TMac- guarding Brewer (Tmac would run the point for us on offense) Deke- guarding Boozer (like the first game) Scola- Okur Start Mike Harris or Carl Landry on Kirilenko The other issue is locking down Korver better when he comes in off the bench.- Maybe Bobby Jackson could slow Korver down???? I would bring Bobby Jackson, Landry or Harris, and Hayes off the bench. I would primarily use Tracy as the point guard (when we have the ball). I don't see us beating Utah unless we disrupt their offense more. Our shots will fall for us, but we have to be able to stop them from getting so many easy shots and 2nd chance points.
We must have a PG in the game, otherwise Tracy will be worn out by halftime. Tracy should only play the point at key junctures. The fact is our guys are going to have to hit shots. If we shoot ~35% again on offense you can stick a fork in the Rockets. Besides, Deron Williams would chew Battier up and spit him out. Shane isn't capable of guarding quick PGs, even with Williams hobbled a bit.
I have been saying let Tmac run point for the last 2 years.....at least in stretches.... Why not.....90% of the time our PG just brings the ball up and hands it off to Tmac..... And, if you are NOT going to do this, then I want a PG that is pushing the ball up and getting early offense. I would like the see the Rockets run run run....Utah is not that athletic, and is rather slow....RUN EM INTO THE GROUND BOYS !! DD
It works defensively, but offensively we'll have nobody else capable of bringing the ball downcourt with pressure. We could try switching to Rafer on Brewer and see how it plays out. Switching is out the window when Harpring comes in. And one of the things we might wanna do offensively is play T-Mac off the ball and allow him to get it within 15-18ft. Without a PG in there that will be an adventure by itself. I thought we did a fairly decent job on defense in game 1, but all of that is negated with offensive rebounds. Whats more is that we finished the game with more offensive rebounds than them and tied for overall rebounds. So I'm still confident we can win this series. IMO all we have to do is finish strong at the rim. We missed way too many bunnies even on our own offensive boards.
Perhaps, but TMac isn't that good at dribbling. If trapped, he'll probably turn it over about 20% of the time.
I don't think it is the best idea. I mean we can't let Tracy handle it all the time because he is a scorer especially now, he needs to be. I'd better see Tracy guarding Deron and Shane Kirilenko.
Well Brooks demonstrated that late in the 4th. He broke their defense down like 4-5 consecutive posessions. With Rafer, BJax and Brooks, I think we can keep fresh legs at PG to keep a body on Williams. But I'd have no problems switching Battier to PG on defense just to give them a different look. But , I'd bench Chuck Hayes unless there is foul trouble. Rick subed in Chuck twice early leaving Landry on the bench until like the 3rd Q. Landry is a much better matchup on Boozer than Chuck. He might miss a couple defensive assignments but he brings much more punch ...plus Landry doesn't have stupid turnovers under the basket or missed layups.
I really don't want to see Tracy handle the ball that much either... But Deron Williams needs to be disrupted, he is literally controlling the game by getting their players easy looks and putting pressure on us with his physical play. Maybe we should try a smaller player on Brewer with weakside help if he posts up. Maybe try Jackson on Brewer. I still think Williams is not that quick that Shane couldn't guard him. Does anyone remember the way Shane disrupted Kobe's game. I know Williams isn't as quick as Kobe. I think disrupting Williams will throw the Jazz into disarray. The other person to stop is Korver and we need to keep Okur down he played terrible the first game but he will rebound if we let up on him. Right now I think Deron Williams is the key player to attack.
Rhester, there is no doubt about it......D. Williams makes them go...if you can disrupt him they fall apart. Utah struggled all year against teams that could slow Williams down...... Battier and Brooks, are the two I would put on him...... DD
I personally would like to see more Battier on Boozer. When the starting five is on the floor, expect for Deke, Battier is hands down the best rebounder. We need a force grabbing those rebounds and Battier could very well be that man... Maybe, Maybe not, but it is worth the risk IMO.
You are correct that Deron Williams is the key to their offense, but yes, he is definitely quicker than Kobe and would eventually turn Shane into a pretzel even without using his wicked crossover. Just like most NBA teams, we don't have a player on our roster than can do much to stop him. What we need is a PG than can work him on the other end. That is the only way you can affect a guy this good. One of the reasons it seems like good PGs destroy us so much is all they have to do on the defensive end is bait Rafer into shooting.
boozer would power right through shane. boozer is really, really strong. the best defender for boozer is chuck, because you need someone with lateral quickness, strength, and someone who can contest without fouling. also, on many plays the jazz run boozer through as a decoy so the person guarding him has to be intelligent enough to understand what Utah is trying to do. and have you forgotten about scola? scola's rebounding > shane's rebounding.
I think overall Shane can handle Williams... sure he'd get burned a few times, but who wouldn't??? But, we need to get rebounds (which means they need to miss) and we need to hit more free throws. Mike Harris needs more run too... Bobby Jackson was horrible too... if he hits a few of those shots (like he normally does) we could have won that game. I still believe... but tonight is must win, back to the wall.
i would love to have a scorer that could score too. but unfortunately he thinks he's a pg. tmac is turning into j-kidd under our very eyes!
Strongly disagree on the bolded part. Williams is deceivingly quick, and he changes directions with the ball as good as anyone in the league. That kid is amazing. Battier, on the other hand, is slower and will have a hard time keeping up with Williams for an entire game. He may also get in foul trouble pretty quickly. This isn't exactly Pippen on Mark Jackson circa 1998.
What I meant was he is not too quick that you shouldn't think about putting Battier on him. I've seen Battier defend Kobe and Kobe is just as quick as Williams, Williams has a wicked crossover but most all-star guards have that (Kobe included). Battier has some length that might trouble Williams. Williams uses his strength and bulk to press the paint, he is hard to stop if he gets access to the lane where he can finish or dish.
OK, I give in, but Williams doesn't use an explosive first step, not like Chris Paul or S Nash. Watch Williams he likes to drive using his strength and body to penetrate and yes he has an incredible cross-over. I think what makes Williams great is his strength, court awareness, BB IQ, and ability to drive using either hand, plus he is a very nice shooter. He is definately a top 3 point guard, but we don't disrupt his game one bit putting Bobby Jackson and Aaron Brooks on him. I do like DD's suggestion to have Brooks harrass him full court, anything to get him off sync a little.
