Game Thoughts: Spurs @ Nets Mar. 2

[timvp]

I disagree with TimVP about the pick and roll being used too frequently. Two certain Hall of Famers (Stockton & Malone) used that play as the bread and butter of their careers at Utah without teams being able to defense it. Teams knew it was coming but couldn't stop it consistently.

It's not the frequency--Manu and Oberto simply aren't as skilled with it. That being said, Manu shouldn't try to make it work if it isn't there. He's reckless with his passes sometimes. Oh, well, Manu is Manu.

I didn't say that I had a problem with the pick-and-roll between Manu and Oberto. What is happening too often lately is Oberto goes to set the pick, he slips the pick and Manu tries to thread the needle to Oberto. It isn't successful enough to try the same thing two or three times a game. Everyone in the building knows it's coming these days. I'd rather Manu use the pick and try to score himself and limit the pass to Oberto to times when Oberto is actually open.

[hater]

Matt Bonner probably knocked up Pop's daughter.

that, and the fact that he sucks

[Cry Havoc]

The Nets need to establish their big men rotations. They love Krstic, but I think he's done. S. Williams makes mistakes, but he offers the most upside. Diop is their biggest defender. J. Boone is playing at the highest level of them all, but can't finish around the basket.

Boone also has a basketball IQ slightly higher than Amare's, which is frightening. The guy makes stupid plays all the time.

[wildbill2u]

I didn't say that I had a problem with the pick-and-roll between Manu and Oberto. What is happening too often lately is Oberto goes to set the pick, he slips the pick and Manu tries to thread the needle to Oberto. It isn't successful enough to try the same thing two or three times a game. Everyone in the building knows it's coming these days. I'd rather Manu use the pick and try to score himself and limit the pass to Oberto to times when Oberto is actually open.

But If you don't try the pass a couple of times per game the other teams will pick up on THAT trend and be better able to defense Manu trying to score himself.

Again, the problem isn't the frequency, it's the execution. Oberto has to get himself into position better so Manu doesn't have to thread the needle on a pass--although Stockton and Nash are able to see openings and complete passes that most players can't. Pick and roll passing is an art and an acquired skill that gets better with practice.

To be honest, our bigs through the years--including Tim and Oberto-- haven't shown much as much skill in rolling to the basket for the pass as Amare and Malone for instance. Granted you have to have the pass there, but our pick and roll alternatives other than the guard cutting off the pick are not very good.