For sure. I think as we get closer to the playoffs you're likely to see a lot of opponents only getting 10-20 point fourth quarters when the game is close. The Cavs (granted on a back-back), only had 14 points in the final 10 minutes. I'd expect a lot more of that type of stuff.
Yeah I’ll admit most of the concern in this area is definitely a bias tied to watching and focusing on this team every game. Have to remember to enjoy the ride especially before the games really matter and I won’t be able to enjoy anything through the nerves.
Pritchard hasn't shot well, but I feel he's done everything else better. Playmaking and defense are much improved. To me he's been a pleasant surprise.
I wrote this after the 2022 Finals loss, but this post-2016 team has been one of the most fun team-building runs to watch of my life, and it looks set to continue. My routine for the past 4 years since I've been overseas has been waking up in the morning and watching the previous night's game. Many more good times than bad.
Probably the former, but honestly a fair question IMO because...
Yeah you're probably right. Because adding KP (massive actual rim protection) and Jrue (lockdown guard defender who can actually guard quicks) probably helps stabilize on that end come crunch time. No need to keep the defensive gas pedal down for 48x82. I'm sure that you're right. A good reason for a lot of last night's Cleveland point total was just hot shooting, which happens. The other guys are good too.
Im enjoying this season very much. they've had several games of taking the other teams best punch and winning with some ease anyways.
One and the same. He's listed as a guard, I believe, his height notwithstanding.
In 2023, that's basically the absolute wrong height to assume a guy's position. Woj should know this. Josh Giddey and Daniel Theis are this height.
I mean, he's at least partly in. Pritchard is a top-10 short guy in the league.
Enjoyed. Shows how, when the team is giving up unassisted 3s, it's not all "low effort" or an obvious adjustment. Lot of tradeoffs to make and different things to take away or give up.
Thanks for posting.
Agree with this. The other thing that isn't mentioned is that we really don't want KP to be switching or blitzing PnRs for 30 minutes in December.
I hope “lower calf tightness” is akin to Al’s “lower back soreness” the past couple years. Basically just an excuse to rest him on back to backs.
I am perfectly fine with the team finding him as much rest as possible this season. Its hard to see this team going deep in the playoffs without his skillset.
I really hope so too, but considering we did see him pull up a bit lame when he first hurt the calf a couple of weeks ago (and this isn't a back to back), I'm not optimistic.
I almost feel like you fucked up that potential joke on purpose
It was there but like the professional messageboarder I am, I posted before everything was fully formed in whatever remains of my brain. IOTW, its a day ending in Y.
Tomorrow is a back to back though so the idea of him sitting one while Horford sits the other seems logical. I'm going with a bit to do about nothing unless he misses both games.
This is my read too.
Ah I didn't realize that. I feel slightly better, although the fact that he's already played both ends of a couple back to backs this year doesn't help.
Yeah, they’re 39.4% as a team on catch and shoot 3s. Flip side:
Scheduled loss, rest everyone.
And....just as we say that, they go play KP and Al up to touch the whole game. Definitely gave up some stuff in the paint, but they totally took away the pull-up 3s. Cleveland's looks from outside were tough.
If you want to take shots at me, that's fine, though maybe keep it in the Hot Take thread? At any rate, I've never critized either of them for their scoring averages, though I have mentioned that Tatum's assist rate is as low as it has been since 2019-20. Along with the fact that Tatum's tunrovers have risen to a career high level even has his usage has declined. (Of the two, Brown is the guy who has gotten his turnvoers under control so far.)
