Brown's strategy not working

[spectre]

Winston Salem Journal - AP (http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/apr/23/browns-strategy-not-working/sports-professional-basketball-bobcats/)


The extra practice didn't help the Bobcats. Coach Larry Brown's motivational speech on Orlando taking a day off while they worked failed, too.

So maybe it was a good idea Charlotte took yesterday off Perhaps some time away will help the Bobcats solve the riddle of putting the ball through the hoop when they return home for Game 3 on Saturday.

For all the talk of how Charlotte would attempt to contain Dwight Howard and Orlando's 3-point shooters, the major reason the Bobcats are down 0-2 in the best-of-seven playoff series is the Magic has exposed their turnover-filled, dysfunctional offense.

"You can't afford on the road to take bad shots and turn the ball over," Brown said.

The Bobcats have struggled offensively all season, ranking 28th out of 30 teams in scoring (95.28 points per game) and 22nd in field goal percentage (45.3).

Only Minnesota averaged more turnovers than Charlotte's 15.7 a game.

The Bobcats' limitations have been magnified playing against NBA defensive player of the year Howard and the Magic, which allowed teams to shoot an NBA-low 43.8 percent during the regular season.

Charlotte fell behind big early and committed 16 turnovers in a 98-89 series-opening loss Sunday. While the Bobcats practiced the next day, Coach Stan Van Gundy gave the Magic the day off, prompting Brown to tell his players, "That's how (expletive) seriously they're taking us."

Trouble is, the Bobcats were even worse in Game 2 on Wednesday. Getting off to another tentative start, they had 30 points at halftime, 77 for the game and committed 21 turnovers in a 15-point loss.

So while the Bobcats have limited Howard to 20 points amid foul trouble in the first two games, the Bobcats are in desperation mode, despite holding the Magic to an average of 95 points.

"We really didn't get much ball movement," center Tyson Chandler said. "In order for us to the keep Magic on their heels, we have to move the ball and get good shots at the basket. We can't just come off looking for our jump shots. We are not a jump-shooting team."

The Bobcats were able to make it to the playoffs for the first time on the strength of Stephen Jackson's acquisition and their aggressiveness in taking it to the basket. Charlotte attempted 470 more free throws than its opponents during the regular season, and its stout defense set up easy baskets.

But the Bobcats went to the line 18 times on Wednesday while the Magic shot 35 free throws. Howard's presence in the lane -- he had six blocks in the first quarter of Game 1 -- has limited Charlotte.

"We're having a hard time getting to the free- throw line," Brown said. "I thought we were doing some pretty good things to fight back from down 22 (in Game 1). But again, you make those mistakes early you've got to play perfect late. And you're playing against a quality, quality team."

There are many culprits for Charlotte's plight. Jackson scored 27 points on Wednesday, but had seven turnovers. All-Star Gerald Wallace, struggling to drive with Howard clogging the middle, managed one point in the first half.

Point guard Raymond Felton was torched by Jameer Nelson in the opening game, then got off to a poor start Wednesday, too. Boris Diaw had as many points as turnovers (five) in Game 2, while Chandler fouled out in just over 13 minutes.

[spectre]

Add to that Theo's terrible 2nd half start (2nd game) letting Dwight set the tone.

Their D has pretty much screwed up our team offense. When that happens no one looks good.

[CatNation]

Maybe we shouldn't run the offense through Boris and THEO (wtf) for the first 5 minutes of every game.

[spectre]

Maybe we shouldn't run the offense through Boris and THEO (wtf) for the first 5 minutes of every game.

Thing is we've been running it thru Boris all year. Having a point/forward dictate the offense is usually an advantage, but their perimeter D is hindering that.

If we're going to expect our C to score outside of 5 ft maybe we should start Nazr instead? Since we're starting out so weakly on O...

[kickazzz2000]

It's time for a hard foul on somebody. Anybody.

[G Force]

Relax guys, it's a 7 game series and the next two are at home.

It's not Larry's fault that we are outmatched in almost every facet of the game. The Magic are outstanding. Our players have to be at their best in every minute of the game for us to contend with a team like this. Being in the playoffs is a great accomplishment for the city and its fans. Let's just have fun and hope for the best.

[WAM9]

I agree with you that it is a long series. You all know the old playoff saying that a series doesn't really start until someone wins on the road. There is no need for panic. As long as we win our next 2 at home, which we are more than capable of doing, we are right back in this thing. Anyone that thought we would win this series without going at least 6 or 7 games was really wearing the orange colored glasses (I have a pair myself).

With that being said, I am not happy with Theo having the ball at the elbow and Dwight being able to back off him completely. It gives Dwight a great view of the floor and it clogs the middle for cutters as well. I still think Tyson would get into quick foul trouble so I am actually for Nazr starting. He can knock down that 15 footer and can maybe force Dwight up and out of the paint.

Again, this is not panic, just an observation. I fully expect us to play to our potential and win at home tonight. Go Bobcats!

[spectre]

It's not Larry's fault that we are outmatched in almost every facet of the game

Yeah I agree with that. I thought about changing the title but just left it as is.

2010 First Round NBA Matchup Analysis (http://www.mysynergysports.com/playoffdataviews/MagicVsBobcats.htm)

A comprehensive breakdown so far. Lots of interesting stuff here. One that stood out to me was Jax's % on "isolation" now vs the regular season:

Regular season: 17.6% of his offense converting 0.955 points per play.
Post season: 23.9% of his offense converting 0.55 points per play.

Not to pick on him because everyone's numbers are down, but after a quick perusal that was the first to jump out at me.

[G Force]

I fully expect us to play to our potential and win at home tonight. Go Bobcats!

Too bad this could never happen.

[teej]

Brown's strategy is perfect (outside of Theo), it's the less talented bunch isn't capable of executing it. Philly and Detroit were far superior teams, so LB looked like a genius. But now, Jack and G-Dub can't shoulder the load that Rip and Sheed/AI did.

And it's clear that Theo is gassed, he's done. Sorry, but he's not nearly what he was two months ago. Nazr + Tyson is our best chance. Theo needs to foul Dwight and stay in the paint on O. Anything else he sucks right now.

[biz]

Theo's offensive deficiencies have always hurt us, but versus the Magic the problem is magnified. Theo is unable to hit any type of jumper, and Dwight knows this. Dwight is able to just sag off of Theo and play a free-roaming style defense and shut down the paint. Theo can be a valuable asset in certain matchups - but the Magic is not one of them.

[Fred Williamson]

Maybe we shouldn't run the offense through Boris and THEO (wtf) for the first 5 minutes of every game.


Ironically, our point guard is even worse at making plays than our power forward :facepalm:

[spectre]

Ball movement is a team-wide issue, but most of the time it starts with the point guards. Raymond Felton said he was not happy with the way he initiated the offense, but DJ Augustin was quick to point out that sometimes you have to take what the defense gives you.

"Ray and I have to initiate everything, but as a team we all have to move the ball, we all have to find the open guy. I think everybody wants to do that, but things don't always go that way in the game. We have to take open shots, and we just have to keep playing together."

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16029#ixzz0m0JjGFLL

I'm shocked (shocked I tell you!) that Felton didn't morph into Chris Paul during the playoffs.

We've run the offense thru Boris all year. Felton has deferred to the other guys all year (something "everyone" wanted up til now right?). He had one sucky half where he had to deal with screens and no help off them (he busts thru them Nelson passes to the screener, a wing; he goes around it Nelson hits a 3)...and then he had an outstanding half going into "hero mode"...scoring 10 points in the 4th quarter.

So now that Felton's D has stepped back up (just ignore that Nelson's shooting was just insane that 1st half)...I take it we now want him in "hero mode"? I need an answer cuz honestly I'm having a hard time keeping up.

The 2nd game first Dwight & then VC (along with a dose of Pietrus) shredded us in the 3rd quarter. Funny thing; I've seen Felton blamed for VC getting the ball off screens from Nelson!

Felton's not played exceptionally well, but the issues are much more than just him. Ball movement has stagnated, and it's because 1) players not moving off screens 2) guys like Jax doing too many isos 3) wings settling for jumpers 4) stupid passes.

In regards to Theo we're dealing with one of LB's deficiencies. We've seen it time and again with Jax, DJ, Hughes and Theo. LB will let players "play" thru struggles. By rights he should have pulled Theo a minute into the 3rd last game, but instead he let's Dwight abuse him for 4 quick buckets.

Is that Theo's fault?

It's amazing to me how quickly some will start eating their own.

[Marvel]

Doris sucks

[-Ian-]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/04/24/1396945/browns-horse-pulling-up-lame-in.html

[OMagic941]

I'm really trying to be constructive here but the thought process of you guys are saying that the flaws are.... with the tactical plans on countering the magics' offensive strategy or.. just too many turnovers... or.... Look, the magic went to the finals last year, they have beaten the cats something like 14 of 17 times, won almost 60 games twice in two years. Do you think that it might not be the tactical plans of larry brown or felton can't guard nelson or anything in particular but the Magic, are in fact, a much, much, better, experienced, deeper and talented team?

The magic went through many years of growing pains, but at some point you have to be honest with yourself and your analysis. Thats all.

[110oldeast]

Thanks for the legitimate perspective. It's the point I keep trying to make when folks want to pin it on one single thing. The Magic are a horrible matchup for us and are too balanced, experienced (with each other), and have too many shooters for us. I would MUCH RATHER defend a team with wings like ours who like to isolate and drive but not spot up as much. Our defense is much more effective here.

That said, I would much rather us not double Dwight and see him score 40 and beat us than let Jameer and crew get their confidence off wide open kickouts from Dwight as we scramble on defense.



I'm really trying to be constructive here but the thought process of you guys are saying that the flaws are.... with the tactical plans on countering the magics' offensive strategy or.. just too many turnovers... or.... Look, the magic went to the finals last year, they have beaten the cats something like 14 of 17 times, won almost 60 games twice in two years. Do you think that it might not be the tactical plans of larry brown or felton can't guard nelson or anything in particular but the Magic, are in fact, a much, much, better, experienced, deeper and talented team?

The magic went through many years of growing pains, but at some point you have to be honest with yourself and your analysis. Thats all.

[GoBobs]

Not having a good offensive plan has been our problem all year. It is worse when we play teams that play great D like Orlando and Boston.

There have been very few plays where somebody gets in the lane draws Howard and then passes it to his man. Not once have I seen a screen and roll with a lob to Tyson Chandler. We have seen no back door lob plays to Gerald.

I would have liked to see us go Diaw on Howard a lot more to draw Howard away from the basket. On the other end we are doubling every time he gets the ball anyway.

I think part of the blame should go to the coaches and part to the players for some of there bone headed decisions, see last 3 minutes of game number 3.

[OMagic941]

Thanks for the legitimate perspective. It's the point I keep trying to make when folks want to pin it on one single thing. The Magic are a horrible matchup for us and are too balanced, experienced (with each other), and have too many shooters for us. I would MUCH RATHER defend a team with wings like ours who like to isolate and drive but not spot up as much. Our defense is much more effective here.

That said, I would much rather us not double Dwight and see him score 40 and beat us than let Jameer and crew get their confidence off wide open kickouts from Dwight as we scramble on defense.

It's funny when certain teams have your number and they torment you so you spend your offseason trying to sign players and develop a strategy designed to beat that team. I'm not saying that is for the bobcats, but I will tell you the pistons had our number for several years and killed us, even when they were rebuilding they gave us a tough time because of the matchups. Only this year, I think we may have swept them but I'm not positive. The point is, you spend several years developing a roster to beat that one team and before you know it, you are in the ECF. Those flash in the pan teams are the teams that never heard from again. Think of the knicks or Nets teams that went to the finals and fell off hard afterwards. I like the bobcats and the nucleus, now you need a savy GM to help build up the roster and fill the weaker spots.