Lost amid the hysteria of Derrick Rose's injury in round one was a significant change Doug Collins made prior to game two. If you recall, Rose didn't really kill the Sixers in that opening loss, he scored an inefficient 23 points. Rip Hamilton and Kyle Korver killed the Sixers by running through a series of screens. That play didn't hurt the Sixers again after the first game. The Sixers adjustments made Kyle Korver a complete non-factor and had Rip looking elsewhere for offensive opportunities. What adjustments will we see tonight?
There's one really easy adjustment for Collins to make. Can the ridiculously small lineups immediately. He used one lineup with Thad at the five and two lineups with Meeks at the three with disastrous results. They were -11 with those lineups in the first half. I believe these lineups were a reaction to the Rondo, Allen, Bradley, Pierce, Garnett lineup Boston used. My only advice is to find another counter when Boston goes that small. Stick with either Hawes, Lavoy or Brand at the five, use Iguodala or Thad at the four.
Under the heading, "Things Collins can't control" I'd put Jrue's shooting at the top of the list. If he hits half of his wide open threes, the Sixers win. The same goes for Brand's bread-and-butter jumpers from fifteen feet. There's not much to be done about poor shooting from those guys, either you stick with them until they start hitting, or you go with someone else. The former seems like the best bet, considering the performance of Thad and Lou.
When we're talking about things to change, first we need to look at what worked well for Boston. That list pretty much begins and ends with Kevin Garnett. KG scored 29 points on 20 shots, and he did it basically in two different ways. The first was the pick-and-pop with Rondo. For the most part, the Sixers were consistent in how they defended this. The big would give the small some help initially, to prevent Rondo from turning the corner. This is where Boston does things differently than most teams. The screener, Garnett in this case, doesn't immediately roll or flare out for the pop opportunity, he kind of stays in the general area. This gives the big the impression that he's still in touch w/ his man, and kind of lures him into helping on the ballhandler a little bit more than usual. At the same time, Rondo doesn't really even attempt to turn the corner, he sort of drags the play to the opposite side of the floor, without penetrating into the lane, and he keeps his dribble alive. As he slides to the other side of the floor, the defensive big is dragged along with him. This is when Garnett flares out for the pop. The pass Rondo makes for that Garnett 20-footer usually winds up going clear across the floor. There are two adjustments you can make here. The first is to go under the screen. This can be tough against the Celtics, because it's tough to get through the screen clean. Garnett sets a solid screen, and he cheats doing it. he's always moving, and it's not uncommon for him to throw a hip, shoulder, or slap to make sure the screen hits home. It's pretty much never called, either. So simply saying Turner should go under isn't going to cut it. The other option is to make Boston run the play faster than they'd like. The big guarding Garnett gives a short hedge, basically just gets in Rondo's way quickly, then gets right back to Garnett and stays with him. This should allow Turner, or Jrue to recover from the screen and get back to Rondo.
Ultimately, when you're playing the pick-and-roll with Bostson, you have to pick your poison. They run it very well, and they're experts at making adjustments on the fly. If Garnett is going to his 67% of his long twos, then you might even have to think about switching the screens, or living with Rondo turning the corner and getting into the paint. One thing I'd try when they string the play out and throw that long pass across court to Garnett is to have my defender on the baseline cheating up. Time it right and you can pick that pass off for a dunk on the other end. If you overplay it, though, you're leaving yourself wide open for a lob dunk if Rondo reads it in time.
Doc Rivers made one adjustment in the middle of game one, putting Avery Bradley on Evan Turner. If he starts the game that way, I'd like to see Turner catching the ball in a position where he can use his size to go right up with a shot, or to back Bradley down, rather than seeing him catch it facing the hoop 20 feet away where he has to use his handle against Bradley's on-the-ball defensive skills to get in position to take a shot. In the latter, I think Turner is at a big disadvantage, while I think he might be able to score in the former.
On the offensive end the Sixers generated a ton of great looks on the inside when they were able to penetrate. Often, the layup was two passes away when the initial defense was broken down. The good news is Bradley is the only perimeter defender on the Celtics who can keep a Sixer out of the lane off the drive. This is where having four guys who can handle and initiate comes into play. Bradley can't cover them all. Again, if Bradley is on Turner, put him in the post, or put him in the corner and let Jrue, Iguodala and Lou attack the rim. Boston plays a similar defensive scheme to Chicago, without enough big bodies to clog the lane. Get into the lane, make the passes, finish around the rim.
These are a few ideas off the top of my head, I'm sure both Doug Collins and Doc Rivers (and their assistants) have spent hours breaking down film from game one. Tonight, we're going to see who learned the most and was able to (a) figure out a counter and (b) get their teams prepared to execute it. I love game twos.
The tip is at 7pm on TNT. Game thread will land around 5.
What do you think the Sixers need to improve upon? And which underperforming PF do you think breaks out of it first in this series: Thad, Brand or Bass?
As usual, nice and informing preview, Brian. What I am looking for for tonight is a rebound game by Jrue. I usually expect him to be able to craft a few good buckets in crunch time no matter how he's been playing throughout the game. That did not happen in Game 1 and I am confident he will deliver in Game 2.
Let's hope Iggy and Turner will keep the same level of playing displayed in the first game.
In particular it would be great if Turner turned out having a good game along with Jrue: that would be a great confidence booster for the two kids in the series.
I think the sixers need to adjust their mindset. Know that Boston is craftier and more experienced and will do the little things that can really matter in the scope of a game...maybe not a quarter...all the sudden you realize you dont have the lead anymore etc.
The Sixers needs to improve on playing with the lead. That means not settling for jumpers, applying constant pressure, and when you have the C's in the penalty with five minutes left, driving continuously.
As much as I'd love to see Brand turn it around on offense I think it's set in stone that he'll continue to reserve his energy for the defensive end, which may be a shrewd coaching decision by Collins. I think it will be Bass as his success is predicated on a shot that Collins is just going to feed him.
Better free throw shooting, more aggressive going at the celtics, get them in foul trouble.
Quick hook for Brand if continues with his horrible shooting. Has he had a good game yet? Lavoy on the other hand has been phenomenal. I would prefer starting Lovoy, Thad, Iggy, ET, and Jrue. Or at least go to that line up early if the regular crew isn't getting it done. Sixers can win this game. No doubt. But if they lose it, there is no way in hell they are winning four straight.
4 times only. 3-0 deficits, 4 straight to win series:
'42 Maple Leafs over Red Wings
'75 Islanders over Penguins
'04 Red Sox over Yankees
'10 Flyers over Bruins
3 hockey.
1 baseball.
0 basketball.
Tonight, Wednesday: important.
Probably the single biggest adjustment I'd like to see is when there is a lead do NOT run the play through Lou Williams. He is too unreliable to protect a lead. It's probably a positive to have him available in that role if we are trailing 10 points and desparate for offense - but we should consciously take the ball out of his hands when maintain a large lead.
When Sixers have a lead, if Bradley guards the ball, post up Iggy or the off ball guard and take high percentage shots - not quick shots that can be turned the other way easily. This allows us to get back into a stifling defense if there is a miss ... the surest antidote to a 10 point run by an opponent.
I also think if Garnett starts out hot again shooting long twos, DC should consider inserting Vucevic and have him hard foul a couple of times intentionally to push Garnett off his spot and try and disrupt his rhythm.
All in all, I'm expecting a strong game by the Sixers and potentially not as close a game as Game 1.
Defenses that bounce Lou around a bit render him fairly useless.
Sixers, not many high percentage playoff shooters. .412 as a team (and that's with Hawes and Allen playin' above their heads, .516 & .552 respectively), .263 from 3.
Does Vucevic have a couple of hard fouls in him? Decent shooter for his size, but docile. Besides, you don't wanna stoke Garnett; he's good enough to begin with.
Great write-up. Like the little analysis. I think it will most likely be Thad; neither Brand or Bass have any mismatch opportunities but no big in this series is quick enough to guard Thad (see ya Gibson) . Can't wait for tonight's game, should be interesting
Blog from shootaround (with Evan Turner video on subject): Sixers must do better job against Celtics' small lineup in Game 2:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/sixers-trying-to-solve-celtics-small-lineup/article_2a51334f-1741-5779-8500-e9d7885dcf38.html
One thing I forgot about Garnett. He scored a bunch on the long twos, but he also had 4 or 5 makes on post ups. They need to double him hard when he gets the ball on the blocks. He's so slow and methodical, double off Rondo immediately, make him give it up, and if it winds up in an open look for Rondo from 18 feet, I'm fine with that.
Also forgot to mention, my favorite moment from game one was Turner throwing Garnett to the floor. That was a foul on Garnett before the shove, but I'd like to see more retaliation when he's pulling his cheap shot crap.
The retaliation is what tends to get the technicals, sadly the NBA doesn't use instant replay in those situations (though it should)...i say just use battie to hack the crap out of garnett - him and hawes should be instructed to foul garnett hard every time he shoots...you won't get technicals, and it'll get under his cheap shot skin. For some reason everyone in the NBA seems afraid of him...he's a bully, when you stand up to a bully they don't know what to do
Two problems that concern me with garnett:
1) His long two's were completely uncontested pick and pop long two's. Hawes or Brand would sag off to help with Rondo, and they never even got remotely close to putting a hand in his face. He'll consistently make that shot.
2) When Young was on him, he immediately went to the post.
We just don't have a particularly good defender on him when he's playing well.
According to this, Brand is dealing w/ shoulder and neck issues: link
Also the few minutes Meeks spent guarding Allen were the minutes he torched us. Dc needs to treat this like Iguodala/Deng, once Allen hits the floor, Jrue checks back in. Allen is the only legit threat they have for a big run. Meen I loved watching Holiday block those shots.
I think iggy can handle Pierce easily although I expect Doc will toss in some more screens and plays just to free him up and get him going.
Fouling Garnett is a losing tactic, unless refs swallow whistles (not likely @ TD Garden): FT - season .857, playoffs .900. 189-219!
It's a losing tactic if you're in the penalty. Putting him on his ass a couple times when he's setting illegal screens and you aren't in the penalty is a fine strategy. As for defending him when he has the ball, I don't think you foul him unless he's got a layup or a dunk. Otherwise, double in the post and don't abandon on the long twos. I'd rather they switch the p&r than double Rondo. Preferably, they'll hedge and recover, though Thad is the only big who's quick enough to do that effectively, and as you mentioned, he took Thad to the post (though I don't think Thad was on him very often, I remember him being in the post w/ Lavoy and Hawes on him more frequently).
Agree on your plan of on-ball defense of him.
Switch P & R or double Rondo - pick poison. Brand & Hawes are, shall we say, "wanting" exterior defenders. At least they're scarecrows in the paint. :) Thad does a nice job hedgin', usually.
Seein' Garnett take a hard hit or knocked on his ass might make you, the viewer, feel good; I don't think it'll deter him though; he's a certain future HOF on talent AND competitive spirit, whether his m.o. is reviled or respected.
Best Sixers hope: he's still a little tired from Saturday's give, is not able to crank it up to that level tonight. Or, simply, his outside shooting goes sour - happens to all on occasion.
In the short term, yeah he gets some free throws, in the long term the bully is rattled when people stand up to him...i'm saying foul him the moment he gets the ball, hard, but clean, make him expect contact - teams don't do that, teams are afraid to foul him, but since he's shown to be a punk, a bully, an immature twat, i say hit him hard, it'll rattle him...it's tony battie, it's not like losing him is going to make a different either way, just put him in to show garnett that while the refs might not notice he's a cheap shot artist, the sixers do...let him set those moving screens - have battie, or hawes, hell have voose, run him over every time...maybe he thinks twice about it
Man u really dont like Garnett I dislike the Celtics as well lol
I didn't like him when he was in Minnesota, he's a punk, always has been a punk, and he's treated like greatness...he's never carried a team on his own anywhere, just like carmelo, only time t'wolves got anywhere in the playoffs he had help, had help in boston winning a title. Titles make you a better player than you actually are.
The whole 'tough defender' when really he just gets away with cheating CONSTANTLY just is more irritating, but that's mostly on the NBA and officials and the start treatment program of the nba
I don't like bullys, plain and simple, and he's a bully. All bullys back down when you show them you aren't scared of him - running KG over a few times when he sets those moving screens would, I bet, lead to him getting at least ejected, if not a one game suspension for his reaction
I agree I think he's a punk as well I think carmelo situation was worst than kg though. I really don't like carmelo since he went to the Knicks
I have no opinions on Carmelo actually.
I think of all the 'moving stars' that everyone gives grief too - he handled his situation best - he didn't have a plan in place and then lie all season (Lebron) - he didn't keep changing his mind to make everyone happy (Dwight) - he said what he wanted - and he never waivered...whether or not you think all the team changing is good or bad, Carmelo handled it with the most 'class' as it were (for lack of a better word)
Here's hoping when Chris Paul begs out of LA next season he handles it well...
Yea he did it with the most class but he is way overated than kg ever was imo.
Congrats - you're making me like KG
You deserve each other
What player has carried a team on his own to a championship? I guess you could count Dirk. Who else?
What player has carried a team on his own to a championship? I guess you could count Dirk. Who else?
Agree, Battie's your 'defender and hatchet' sub. Read somewhere he's got a health issue though (outside of age, wear & tear); not sure what it is.
I watched game 1 in a sports bar in Boston, and couldn't see everything so clear. The one confusing play was when Iggy went to the cup in the 4th quarter. From far away it looked like he dunked it. then they showed the replay where it looked like garnet got 10% ball and 90% body with no call.
If you are the sixers you have to be a little frustrated. When you are going hard and get fouled the whistles are silent. And when you are trying to finesse it in since the calls will not be made you fall short (Lou vs Bradley).
They have to keep attacking, because that will wear out the Celtics. Steemsma has a bad foot, and so Garnet is really all they have to protect the rim. You need to turn him into Elton Brand where all his energy is used at the defensive end! If he gets away with fouls so be it, just let him get tired doing his beast mode so that his jumpshot gets heavy.
The Sixers need to be more disciplined in the half court period. That doesn't mean being some kind of great half-court team because they will never be that. What it means is not taking crazy rushed shots that are such bricks they lead to easy scores down the other end of the court. The Celtics offense the whole game was basically uncanny outside shooting plus they got a handful of cheap transition buckets they do not normally get because of assinine shots early in the shot clock. They cut out the easy baskets they gave the Celtics and I don't think the Celtics can score enough to win four games as banged up as Pierce is.
You have to defend Rondo the entire lenght of the court. Thats the best way to defend any point guard is to make him work every second he has the ball. Take him out of his comfort zone.
If you're going to do that, you have to switch Jrue onto him. Turner can't apply that kind of pressure full court, imo. Might be worth a shot if Allen isn't full strength, but I doubt we see it tonight.
I will say this, though. They don't have another PG on their roster. The Sixers should be mercilessly applying pressure for the 8 minutes or so when Rondo is on the bench.