Defense at the end of games...

[cavincali]

We have all noticed that the defense has been improving as the season has progressed. Most of the defense can be credited to Eric Snow, because he takes the most talented scorer on the opposing team.

Now, Ira Newble has come back, and although he isn't Ron Artest, he has given snow a break from the bigger bodied offensive performers. As a result Snow has more energy to perform his tough defense at the end of games.

Against the Suns Steve Nash was using the screen and roll, like he had been doing so the entire game, and took the Suns to a 17 point lead. During that stretch we had Gooden/Marshall/Z guarding Nash. We all know Gooden is absent minded, Z is to slow while Marshall is just a little quicker than Z.

Enter Anderson Varejao into the equation. His non-stop energy confused Nash at end of the game, the most important part of the game. Nash wanted to drive but Anderson played the drive and when Nash acted to shoot he was their again. All the while Snow was able to switch men with Anderson and guard Nash.

The Suns scored only 19 points in the fourth and I beliebe Gooden and Z played little if not none in the fourth.

Because of the defensive energy and the quickness that Anderson brings to the floor he should be played at the end of games when we need stops.

 

[Karma]

It was good coaching by Brown to stick with Varejao despite the temptations to bring in the talented Ilgauskas. He kept faith in Varejao, and Anderson repayed that faith with an inspiring effort. Great play on and off the court.

 

[Kypus]

Good post Cali. Ira Newble blows chunks but he's still getting strength back in the foot, so he can only get better. If he shoots 30%, that'd be way more than he has been shooting so far (What was he, 1 for 20 in jump shots or something after the injury) I can't shake that image of Carmelo Anthony driving straight through Newble in isolation, but I"ll just hope his reflexes get better as the foot gets stronger. ray:

AV kicked ass. Glad coach left him in. Brown will come to rely on AV a lot from here on out- his defensive intensity is exactly what Brown needs to make his system work.

 

[cavincali]

I was mostly suprised on how well he played the pick and roll. We usually get burned by that, but not this time.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

What a freakin' site for sore eyes huh?

Andy's hustle and quickness is what we have all clamored for out of the 4/5 position. Opposing teams knew the pick and roll ate up Z/Gooden/Marshall - its almost like they overfront at times, leaving the roll open or allowing the ball handler to beat them off the dribble - then help comes, leaving a wing wide open. Andy played with what I term cautious aggressiveness. It was great to see, and something I didn't realize I missed so much.

This makes Drew even more expendable, and we can even move Marshall for all I care. When hughes comes back, and the insurgance of Sasha, we have enough scorers - Andy will get his on offensive boards and putbacks. If I was Brown, I would log him at least 25 minutes a night.

 

[KI4MVP]

Yesterday Nash didn't get an assist in the final 20 minutes of the game, and the Suns shot just 37 percent in the second half - that's playing some strong defense. Without that defense, even LeBron's 44 points aren't enough.

And it continues to baffle me why anyone would want to make a trade. This team is just fine just the way it is. How would it help our team to bring in a PG that will take the ball out of LeBron's hands?

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

And it continues to baffle me why anyone would want to make a trade. This team is just fine just the way it is. How would it help our team to bring in a PG that will take the ball out of LeBron's hands?

IMO, its more of a plan for the future thing. I think we all agree we are just not good enough to win it all this year - we can make waves and get some breaks, but we are not complete. Snow and Jones are getting older, and Drew will prolly get offered a ton of money over 5 years to play elsewhere. We need to use that commodity to bring in a young PG that has potential.

There are rumors of a Banks for Jackson deal - would you have a problem dealing Luke today? Especially to a non-conference team like the Wolves?

 

[KI4MVP]

I really see no reason why we can't win it all this year. We aren't the favorites, but we belong in the discussion.

 

[Pioneer10]

As far as I'm concerned Marshall should see the most reduced minutes: he's nothing but a 3 point gunner at times. If starts playing like he did in the beginning of the season then he should see time but the the dude is sucking balls excpet for a huge quarter here and there

 

[natedagg]

no trades please. Keep same guys, get some chemistry, make decision in offseason. Also in offseason, consider getting a FA SG and playing hughes at point.

 

[CleveRocks]

I really see no reason why we can't win it all this year. We aren't the favorites, but we belong in the discussion.

And they accuse me of homerisms.. We need to win on the road before we start talking about the second round, much less the finals. It will be great to see the team with Larry and AV back, especially if Pavs continues to play well. But even the return of the injured does not address the underlying need for a true back up center and a viable back up point guard.

 

[KI4MVP]

after tonight we'll be 10-12 on the road, the spurs went 21-20 on the road last year and won it all. We only have 7 road games left against teams with winning records. I don't think it's a stretch at all to do as well on the road as the spurs did last year. Also, we will have home court in the first round and likely in the conference finals if we make it past the pistons. We have to take 1 of 4 in detroit to get to the conference finals.

 

[cavincali]

Did i tell you guys that i called Coach Brown and told him who should be playing at the end of games, Anderson once again came up huge when we needed a defensive stop.

 

[Maximus]

Can you call him back and ask him why Sasha was glued to the pine the whole 4th? And why did Marshall get so many minutes in the 4th? His rotations are awful.

 

[RuanuLaw]

Maybe we are trying to advertise our few tradable players?