Farewell, Richard Jefferson.

[The Human Q-Tip]

One of the great chess moves this year might be bringing TT off the bench and letting Channing Frye start against Zaza. I know last year Kerr said any time Frye was on court, they'd go small with Draymond. With as much offensive efficiency they're getting out of McGee and Zaza on court, I wonder if that holds true?

I've said it before -- we do best against GSW when they're forced to play small, because it gives us a significant advantage in terms of physical dominance/strength. Curry, in particular, wears down when there aren't big guys setting screens for him.

So I actually like that idea. Start Frye, which will force Zaza/McGee away from the basket. Then when they sub in Draymond, put TT in.

TT and LBJ together are a physical load that give GSW a tough time.

 

[chuck0609]

Korver has been one of the better team defenders on the roster and is too much of a weapon to be sitting against anyone. He'll be in the lineup against Golden State.

Yep- No way Korver sits. His d is solid and his effect on the offense is becoming immeasurable.

 

[Gus Zing]

he's a weapon but think he'll struggle more vs Warriors

I do worry about that. Golden State might try to do to Korver what we use to do vs. him in Atlanta.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I do worry about that. Golden State might try to do to Korver what we use to do vs. him in Atlanta.

Which was...?

 

[Gus Zing]

Which was...?

Stick a defender in his hip pocket.

Shump/JR denied Korver the ball all series that he couldn't get a shot off.

Outside of one game Korver didn't have much of an impact last year. The year before (his all star year) we did a really good as well before he got hurt.

If we go small

TT
LeBron
Korver
JR/Shump
Kyrie

They'll probably have Iggy draped all over him.

If we're moving the ball it might not be a problem though.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

They'll probably have Iggy draped all over him.

I'd love to watch Iggy try to chase Korver around the court.

GS is at a dilemma as well. Thompson can stay glued to Korver, but then who guards Kyrie? Steph? BAHAHAHA.

 

[billmac91]

Stick a defender in his hip pocket.

Shump/JR denied Korver the ball all series that he couldn't get a shot off.

Outside of one game Korver didn't have much of an impact last year. The year before (his all star year) we did a really good as well before he got hurt.

If we go small

TT
LeBron
Korver
JR/Shump
Kyrie

They'll probably have Iggy draped all over him.

If we're moving the ball it might not be a problem though.

Which would be a good thing...If Iggy is draped on Korver, who is draped on LeBron?

GS can try and take Korver away all they want...if it means more attention on the perimeter and less focus on the interior, he's doing his job already.

 

[Gus Zing]

Which would be a good thing...If Iggy is draped on Korver, who is draped on LeBron?

GS can try and take Korver away all they want...if it means more attention on the perimeter and less focus on the interior, he's doing his job already.

Believe it or not Durant has been a good defender this year. Will he stop LeBron? No. No one on the Warriors can stop him.

However, unlike last year its going to be tough for LeBron to rest on defense because do we really want Shump or Korver guarding KD?

 

[Gus Zing]

I'd love to watch Iggy try to chase Korver around the court.

GS is at a dilemma as well. Thompson can stay glued to Korver, but then who guards Kyrie? Steph? BAHAHAHA.

TT - Draymond
LeBron - KD
Korver - Iggy
Shump - Steph
Kyrie - Klay


This is why I say whether its Shump or JR...they have to be a threat on offense so the Warriors can't hide Curry.

Should probably move this to the Warriors thread tho, lol.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

Believe it or not Durant has been a good defender this year. Will he stop LeBron? No. No one on the Warriors can stop him.

However, unlike last year its going to be tough for LeBron to rest on defense because do we really want Shump or Korver guarding KD?

Like I said in another thread, whatever defensive strategy we employ is going to involve giving SOMETHING up. There's just no way to have every base covered with this team given how stacked and talented they are.

I wouldn't stray away from draping Green with LeBron. It allows LeBron to rest while neutering Green's biggest skill, which is his playmaking prowess. You turn Durant into the primary decision-maker and scorer. He can do the former but not the latter...he doesn't possess an iota of LeBron's intelligence and court vision. You don't leave him open, obviously, but at the end of the day you do the best you can and make him beat you. If the game is tight then no doubt LeBron will guard him but that's it.

Putting the vice grips on their original big 3 is the key.

 

[Jordan]

I've said it before -- we do best against GSW when they're forced to play small, because it gives us a significant advantage in terms of physical dominance/strength. Curry, in particular, wears down when there aren't big guys setting screens for him.

So I actually like that idea. Start Frye, which will force Zaza/McGee away from the basket. Then when they sub in Draymond, put TT in.

TT and LBJ together are a physical load that give GSW a tough time.

Option B would be to start RJ, Korver, or Deron and play Love at center. Run Zaza off the court, force GSW to go small, then bring in TT.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Stick a defender in his hip pocket.

Shump/JR denied Korver the ball all series that he couldn't get a shot off.

Outside of one game Korver didn't have much of an impact last year. The year before (his all star year) we did a really good as well before he got hurt.

If we go small

TT
LeBron
Korver
JR/Shump
Kyrie

They'll probably have Iggy draped all over him.

If we're moving the ball it might not be a problem though.

Playing 4 on 4 basketball is an advantage to the team with the best ISO offence, which is the Cavs.

The way to beat GSW on both ends of the court is to be physical, and to frustrate them. The only guy they've got who will stand up to physical play is Green, but he can be frustrated and lose his cool. So set hard screens for Korver, and let GSW run into them. Clutch and grab defensively, bump Curry every time he moves on either end. Force them to go small so they are running into bigger bodies. They are a fantastic ball movement team and inevitably will bust lose at times. But that physical play wore on them mentally last year, and made them vulnerable. And they get demoralized because they lack tough-minded vets. Guy like Jefferson annoy them because he knows exactly what he can get away with.

Honestly, I think that if Kyrie gets his shot back, we beat them.

 

[BigJ]

Like I said in another thread, whatever defensive strategy we employ is going to involve giving SOMETHING up. There's just no way to have every base covered with this team given how stacked and talented they are.

Well at least any lineup with Iggy will be easy prey for us then.. He shoots 3/22 from three in the Playoffs so far..

 

[BigJ]

Playing 4 on 4 basketball is an advantage to the team with the best ISO offence, which is the Cavs.

The way to beat GSW on both ends of the court is to be physical, and to frustrate them. The only guy they've got who will stand up to physical play is Green, but he can be frustrated and lose his cool. So set hard screens for Korver, and let GSW run into them. Clutch and grab defensively, bump Curry every time he moves on either end. Force them to go small so they are running into bigger bodies. They are a fantastic ball movement team and inevitably will bust lose at times. But that physical play wore on them mentally last year, and made them vulnerable. And they get demoralized because they lack tough-minded vets. Guy like Jefferson annoy them because he knows exactly what he can get away with.

Honestly, I think that if Kyrie gets his shot back, we beat them.

Thats the main thing i feel almost everyone forgot.. For two Finals in a row we really intimidated them because we are so physical..
We got into their minds.. we frustrated them and it really wore on them..

Kd is alot of things but not tough.. He is just one more guy who can me frustrated and forced into dumb decisions..

We still can rough them up and we know they wont respond with playing better but with beeing frustrated..

 

[Cavatt]

One of the great chess moves this year might be bringing TT off the bench and letting Channing Frye start against Zaza. I know last year Kerr said any time Frye was on court, they'd go small with Draymond. With as much offensive efficiency they're getting out of McGee and Zaza on court, I wonder if that holds true?

Bottom line is Green isn't playing 48 minutes a game. And if they want to try that more power to them. Every time GS has Zaza or McGee in game, I'd stretch court with Frye. Guy has been money and it's a great way to free up driving lanes which is imperative against the Warriors. It's what Utah lacked and why GS defense was so overwhelming. They just couldn't stretch the court at all and everything was congested. Love and Frye really need to be locked in assuming this match-up develops.

Great post.