-
Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.
Game 72 -|- Cavs @ Hornets -|- Sunday, March 31st, 6:00PM ET
- Thread starter Pyro
- Start date
This is where I have an issue with "the tank" sometimes.
It feels like this team is littered with "effort" issues that are always just written off as tanking.
I don't think players are wired to half ass it though if they have any semblance of competitive drive, so that makes me somewhat nervous at times going forward that we always just assume they will throw a switch when ready and start playing balls out like gang busters.
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2007
- Messages
- 21,158
- Reaction score
- 58,033
- Points
- 148
Completely agree. Once they got behind in the 3rd (or as they got behind), the effort has not been there. I wouldn't call it tanking either. They got their butts kicked by a team just barely ahead of them in the standings. Part of it is due to some questionable lineups, but the effort has not been there.
Rich
Saucin'
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Messages
- 45,992
- Reaction score
- 71,044
- Points
- 148
Irving and Thompson are the only guys who have played most of the game with effort. That includes the vets everyone loves. Livingston was dogging it. Speights was. Gee, for most of the game, and especially in the second half, was barely trying. Fucking Zeller is almost glued to a spot in the floor on defense. Thompson just spent the last two plays covering his ass while Zeller still manages to give up offensive rebounds to his man.
Thelorn
Gold Star Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2012
- Messages
- 1,062
- Reaction score
- 875
- Points
- 113
I really hope Kyrie was dogging it on defense all game otherwise he's in the discussion for worst defensive pg in the league.
Rich
Saucin'
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Messages
- 45,992
- Reaction score
- 71,044
- Points
- 148
Well, he is. He's been in that discussion for two years now. This isn't new.
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2007
- Messages
- 21,158
- Reaction score
- 58,033
- Points
- 148
I guess that's something? :chuckles:
Rich
Saucin'
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Messages
- 45,992
- Reaction score
- 71,044
- Points
- 148
The game plan is simple, have Kyrie's man and whoever Zeller/Speights is guarding run a pick and roll, and watch as Kyrie doesn't get around the screen and Zeller either gets split or fouls. Either we get a Center who can move his feet (Varejao obviously works) or Kyrie has to fight harder on screens.
Rich
Saucin'
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Messages
- 45,992
- Reaction score
- 71,044
- Points
- 148
But, it isn't all on Kyrie. Our bigs, aside from Thompson, don't even try and move their feet to help out. Zeller just fouls. Speights just sort of waves his arms. They are terrible, terrible, pick and roll defenders. Thompson can actually hedge and get back, he can also switch and put up a decent fight 1on1 against a guard.
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2007
- Messages
- 21,158
- Reaction score
- 58,033
- Points
- 148
I'm actually not going to criticize Kyrie's defense tonight. He was in there in large part to just see if he could trust his shoulder, and he hasn't played for 3 weeks. I'm not saying he was fantastic before, but expecting him to be any better today doesn't seem likely either. I don't think we'll see defensive improvements from him until next year, and I just hope we will see those improvements.
I agree that Tristan is the only healthy big who can function on the defensive end.
I agree that Tristan is the only healthy big who can function on the defensive end.