Mike D'Antoni brother with a subtle dig at the new Spurs' antiquated offense..

[MaNu4Tres]

Shooting all threes is insane strategy. It's only worked for one team in the playoffs, ever, and that's the Golden State Warriors, and because they have insanely gifted players. When things slow down and get physical you need to get scores down low somehow.

You can't shoot all 3's, but you can optimize 3's and layups/dunks with the right personnel. Of course there will be some mid range jumpers taken here and there, its part of the game. However, the best teams optimize the best opportunities. Spurs had it all their championship seasons. They've never been as reliant on the mid range, avg. post up game as they are now.

[tdominate21]

This concept of corner threes and other threes is Wayyyyy to simplistic. Yes those are the most efficient ways to score. But its about how they are produced. Penetration. Pick n roll. The teams that can penetrate and kick are the teams that will win. Clippers 2 years ago. Thunder last year. Their pick n roll offense was better than ours and their pick n roll defense was better than ours. That's it. Cleveland's defense on the pick n roll last year against Golden State turned the series. Golden State was just chucking it from 3 or taking bad shots cuz they couldn't penetrate.

[Kawhitstorm]

Prime example is OKC last year, they played LA straight up even after his 40 point outbursts because they knew in the long run he couldn't maintain that level of efficiency from the post area and open 3's were limited and the offense struggled often the last 4 games.

You're ignoring that OKC kept leaving Softridge open on the PnP in Gm 1 which got him rolling & he couldn't miss whatever shot he took including his fadeaway. Gm 2 was an ugly game that the Spurs lost b/c they missed a bunch of point blank shots in the 1st quarter especially Tim who Adams was cheating off to double Softridge.

OKC changed their PnP coverage by forcing Porker to be a SCORER & he had a decent Gm 3/4 but it ed up Softridge's rhythm. Their strategy paid off in Gm 5 when Softridge couldn't hit a shot & Porker shot the Spurs out of the game in the 4th quarter.

[exstatic]

It's funny to see Dan Dan Tony pimp the offense of his brother, who has never even made it to the Finals. Yeah, that is airtight, alright.

[Spurs_619]

You can't shoot all 3's, but you can optimize 3's and layups/dunks with the right personnel. Of course there will be some mid range jumpers taken here and there, its part of the game. However, the best teams optimize the best opportunities. Spurs had it all their championship seasons. They've never been as reliant on the mid range, avg. post up game as they are now.

04???????

[TheGreatYacht]

These analytics dweebs think they're on par with Einstein.

Morey ball

chucking threes and flopping lmfao. That won't work when it matters

[GSH]

The fetal flaw on the Spurs roster is ...

It's not a FETAL flaw, you ing troglodyte. YOU are a fetal flaw. But there isn't any fetal flaw on the Spurs' roster.

As for Manu4Tres' "blanket statement"? The Rockets are spoilers. They're damned giant-killers. If they happen to have the 3's falling, they can beat anybody - especially in the regular season. They're a threat to any team in the league, if shots are falling. In the playoffs, defense has something to say about that over a 7-game series.

The corner 3 IS dangerous. It works because someone else on the team demands that the defense pays attention to them first. No team... absolutely no ing team... gives up an open corner 3 intentionally. Regardless of what lil' D'antoni says, a layup is still a better shot. The stuff he says in that interview is not only wrong, it's totally ing ignorant. He says that a covered post-up scores .78 points per attempt. What he doesn't say is that a really good post-up player scores a lot more than that. And that a really good post-up player is often responsible for getting the corner-3 shooter an uncontested shot.

Here's the biggest thing you have to ask yourself: How many championships has anyone named D'Antoni ever won? Answer that, and then ask yourself why you would ever use them as a basis for your argument. The corner 3 really IS the most dangerous shot in basketball. Just like the left hook is the most dangerous punch in boxing. Everyone knows it. And they don't let you have either one, unless they have no choice. Beat the out of an opponent with jabs and body blows, and they give up the left hook. Beat the out of the defense with an inside game, and they wind up giving up the corner 3.

[pgardn]

This times 1000. Even the smug idiots at 538 have since acknowledged, after promoting that the mid-range shot is the "worst" shot in basketball, that for some players with a high level of skill, the mid-range shot in the right context is a perfectly fine and efficient shot.

I'm quite certain Shaq and TD in the post are well ahead of 0.78. Plus, that figure completely ignores that the post is used to draw in the defense, so you can get those 1.3 point corner 3's. You may not have that MParker (in his prime) level penetrator to free up those 3's.

Analytics-based approaches by themselves also ignore the variability in basketball. To the point that it's circular logic. If a game doesn't go their way, why it's just because the percentages didn't fall on their side.

Dammit.

Someone sees it!
Why in the don't you post more often.
A person that can actually look at the game and see the shortfall of the numbers guys.

Apologies if I have missed others.

[exstatic]

It's not a FETAL flaw, you ing troglodyte. YOU are a fetal flaw. But there isn't any fetal flaw on the Spurs' roster.

As for Manu4Tres' "blanket statement"? The Rockets are spoilers. They're damned giant-killers. If they happen to have the 3's falling, they can beat anybody - especially in the regular season. They're a threat to any team in the league, if shots are falling. In the playoffs, defense has something to say about that over a 7-game series.

The corner 3 IS dangerous. It works because someone else on the team demands that the defense pays attention to them first. No team... absolutely no ing team... gives up an open corner 3 intentionally. Regardless of what lil' D'antoni says, a layup is still a better shot. The stuff he says in that interview is not only wrong, it's totally ing ignorant. He says that a covered post-up scores .78 points per attempt. What he doesn't say is that a really good post-up player scores a lot more than that. And that a really good post-up player is often responsible for getting the corner-3 shooter an uncontested shot.

Here's the biggest thing you have to ask yourself: How many championships has anyone named D'Antoni ever won? Answer that, and then ask yourself why you would ever use them as a basis for your argument. The corner 3 really IS the most dangerous shot in basketball. Just like the left hook is the most dangerous punch in boxing. Everyone knows it. And they don't let you have either one, unless they have no choice. Beat the out of an opponent with jabs and body blows, and they give up the left hook. Beat the out of the defense with an inside game, and they wind up giving up the corner 3.

So much this...

[Yuixafun]

It's more than just what shot scores the most points per attempt though...

Strategically playing some bully ball, against these zippy free wheeling, shooting teams... is like running the ball in football, or going to the body in boxing.

It slows the game down, you physically tax the opponent, you get them in foul trouble, you have a better chance of getting back on defense etc...


If this was Magic the Gathering, Pop built a Black and Blue Control deck, with this team.

[Yuixafun]

It's not a FETAL flaw, you ing troglodyte. YOU are a fetal flaw. But there isn't any fetal flaw on the Spurs' roster.

As for Manu4Tres' "blanket statement"? The Rockets are spoilers. They're damned giant-killers. If they happen to have the 3's falling, they can beat anybody - especially in the regular season. They're a threat to any team in the league, if shots are falling. In the playoffs, defense has something to say about that over a 7-game series.

The corner 3 IS dangerous. It works because someone else on the team demands that the defense pays attention to them first. No team... absolutely no ing team... gives up an open corner 3 intentionally. Regardless of what lil' D'antoni says, a layup is still a better shot. The stuff he says in that interview is not only wrong, it's totally ing ignorant. He says that a covered post-up scores .78 points per attempt. What he doesn't say is that a really good post-up player scores a lot more than that. And that a really good post-up player is often responsible for getting the corner-3 shooter an uncontested shot.

Here's the biggest thing you have to ask yourself: How many championships has anyone named D'Antoni ever won? Answer that, and then ask yourself why you would ever use them as a basis for your argument. The corner 3 really IS the most dangerous shot in basketball. Just like the left hook is the most dangerous punch in boxing. Everyone knows it. And they don't let you have either one, unless they have no choice. Beat the out of an opponent with jabs and body blows, and they give up the left hook. Beat the out of the defense with an inside game, and they wind up giving up the corner 3.

Wow were literally thinking in the same realm at the same time, and posting lol... Great minds eh?

[pgardn]

The fetal flaw on the Spurs roster .

Wow.

Fetal flaws...
Well lets abort them how bout it...

[Kawhitstorm]

But there isn't any fetal flaw on the Spurs' roster.

[Kawhitstorm]

Shooting all threes is insane strategy. It's only worked for one team in the playoffs, ever, and that's the Golden State Warriors, and because they have insanely gifted players. When things slow down and get physical you need to get scores down low somehow.

It didn't work for them when Mr. Unanimous MVP couldn't score on switches even against Kevin n' Love.

Imagine the Duds w/ Porker as their PG.

The only reason I want Deron Williams is b/c he's STILL a very good PnR point guard & can score on switches if you put Enes Kanter on him which Porker couldn't in the 4th quarter of Gm 5.

Most Efficient Pick-and-Roll Guards: http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nb...d-roll-guards/

Deron Williams, Dallas Mavericks – Average Points Per PNR Possession: 1.20

Despite the Mavericks’ tough start to the season (2-6 thus far), Williams has been one of the bright spots, averaging 15 points and 5.8 assists through five games before going down with a calf injury. Williams is leading the league in points per possession off of pick-and-roll situations at 1.2. PNRs make up more than half of Williams’ offensive play types at 51 percent, per Synergy Sports. It’s safe to say that the veteran guard leans heavily on this action to facilitate offense for teammates and himself. Out of PNR action, Williams is shooting 56.4 percent and is extremely adept using the ball screen to get to his one or two dribble pull-up, per Synergy. Out of 65 of Williams’ PNR possessions thus far, about a quarter of them have resulted in pull-up jumpers. The Mavs guard has scored 21 points off of PNR pull-ups, per Synergy. On 38 possessions passing out of the PNR, he has assisted on 57 points, which ranks him in the 99th percentile in the league, per Synergy. Most of these passes are to the benefit of Dwight Powell and Dirk Nowitzki, who are natural pop guys, or spot up jump shooters Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews. The Mavericks are hoping Williams can make it back from his lower leg injury soon in order to continue his productive play.

[pgardn]

Wow.

Thats a fetus that will get a few looks.

[Yuixafun]

To be fair, Curry didn't look right after that, random slip on Montejunas sweat in the first round vs the Rockets.

But you might say it was karma from Last Last year, when every team GS faced, had a significant injury to a key player.

If any team deserves an asterisk next to their Championship, it's the 2015 Warriors.

[GSH]

You guys made me laugh tonight. I'm not one of the Parker-haters, but that pic made me laugh my ass off.

Have a good night, boys and girls.

Wow were literally thinking in the same realm at the same time, and posting lol... Great minds eh?

Wow.

Fetal flaws...
Well lets abort them how bout it...

[TheGreatYacht]

It didn't work for them when Mr. Unanimous MVP couldn't score on switches even against Kevin n' Love.

Imagine the Duds w/ Porker as their PG.

The only reason I want Deron Williams is b/c he's STILL a very good PnR point guard & can score on switches if you put Enes Kanter on him which Porker couldn't in the 4th quarter of Gm 5.

Most Efficient Pick-and-Roll Guards: http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nb...d-roll-guards/

That article is from November 15 (Fatron was 5 games into the season)

He's a 40% shooting cancer and has gotten outplayed by Parker his whole career lmao.

This is as bad of a scenario as when you wanted PJ Tucker and TOSB Chandler........

[TheGreatYacht]

Kiwistorm's dream Spurs roster consists of:

Tyson Chandler
????
PJ Tucker
Kiwi Leonard
Deron Williams

6th man - Michael Carter-Williams

[apalisoc_9]

I mean yeah sure, numeriacally speaking.

But the spurs aren't exactly going to exclusively shoot post up modrange jumpers. Teams can also easily force the drive.

Basketball is a lot more complex than numbers. I love analytics, but this is extreme.

[Kawhitstorm]

That article is from November 15 (Fatron was 5 games into the season)

You know the current stats exist on synergy.

Among players that try to score in at least 5 PnR possessions where they are the ball handler, Deron is ranked 5th in EFG% basically tied w/ Lillard/Harden: http://stats.nba.com/players/ball-ha...&CF=PossG*GE*5

If his best teammates wasn't Harrison freakin' Barnes then he would be even more effective.

He's a 40% shooting cancer and has gotten outplayed by Parker his whole career lmao.

This is as bad of a scenario as when you wanted PJ Tucker and TOSB Chandler........

If Pau is going to fetch you Anthony Davis & Jrue Holiday then I'm all for it.

[gospursgojas]

How does D'antoni keep getting jobs anyway? Its the same ol score a lot of points never win anything but regular season games Phx Suns team in a diff uni and town.

[Chinook]

By far the Spurs' easiest path to beating GS is for LMA and Gasol to make it impossible for the Warriors to play small. The key match-up is LMA on Draymond. Traditionally, Green can't check Aldridge, but he's only shown that in two games while in a Spurs uniform. If LMA is going to go down and shoot like 60 percent by posting up Draymond, you damned better believe the Warriors will double, but they aren't shooting well enough to counteract that. And they're not shooting well enough to counteract the fouls LMA will be getting.

Of course, if Aldridge plays like a wuss, then the Spurs have no chance.

The idea that the Warriors reinvented basketball is absurd. The Spurs won in 2014 by having an elite post-up player kick the out of small-ball. If you commit to playing great D and moving on O, then a slowed-down inside-out game is the best.

That said, the Spurs are not doing a great job at generating threes in ways that don't rely on defensive breakdowns. They have the shooters to where the three needs to be something they work to get, especially considering their back-court scoring is sketchy at best when it comes to them getting their own shots.

[apalisoc_9]

By far the Spurs' easiest path to beating GS is for LMA and Gasol to make it impossible for the Warriors to play small. The key match-up is LMA on Draymond. Traditionally, Green can't check Aldridge, but he's only shown that in two games while in a Spurs uniform. If LMA is going to go down and shoot like 60 percent by posting up Draymond, you damned better believe the Warriors will double, but they aren't shooting well enough to counteract that. And they're not shooting well enough to counteract the fouls LMA will be getting.

Of course, if Aldridge plays like a wuss, then the Spurs have no chance.

The idea that the Warriors reinvented basketball is absurd. The Spurs won in 2014 by having an elite post-up player kick the out of small-ball. If you commit to playing great D and moving on O, then a slowed-down inside-out game is the best.

That said, the Spurs are not doing a great job at generating threes in ways that don't rely on defensive breakdowns. They have the shooters to where the three needs to be something they work to get, especially considering their back-court scoring is sketchy at best when it comes to them getting their own shots.

I don't understand why Aldridge doesn't just post up and dribble to the middle for a hook shot. Three things happen when he does this, an easy score, if he missses...perfect opportunity for an pffensive boards, and a foul. The refs respect him enough to whistle when he bumps the post defender. It's easily his best weapon..also the best way to grab offensive boards since his fadeways turn into long rebounds.

He's the best in the league doing this...but it's incredible how he never realized this instead he opts for worse shots.
Of course, he can be a wuss and refuse to do this...

[Mr. Body]

By far the Spurs' easiest path to beating GS is for LMA and Gasol to make it impossible for the Warriors to play small. The key match-up is LMA on Draymond. Traditionally, Green can't check Aldridge, but he's only shown that in two games while in a Spurs uniform. If LMA is going to go down and shoot like 60 percent by posting up Draymond, you damned better believe the Warriors will double, but they aren't shooting well enough to counteract that. And they're not shooting well enough to counteract the fouls LMA will be getting.

Of course, if Aldridge plays like a wuss, then the Spurs have no chance.

The idea that the Warriors reinvented basketball is absurd. The Spurs won in 2014 by having an elite post-up player kick the out of small-ball. If you commit to playing great D and moving on O, then a slowed-down inside-out game is the best.

That said, the Spurs are not doing a great job at generating threes in ways that don't rely on defensive breakdowns. They have the shooters to where the three needs to be something they work to get, especially considering their back-court scoring is sketchy at best when it comes to them getting their own shots.

The first game of the season is still the template for beating the Warriors, although the remainder of the games won't be as easy, of course. But hitting them in the land over and over, in post ups and drives. Whatever Gasol gives is good, although he's a defensive liability. The real keys are LMA and Kawhi, who rocked them on the offensive boards.