We don't win play-in vs. CLE w/o Trae. We ALSO don't win last night if not for...

[sturt]

The praise for Trae's 2nd half last night has been deserved and persistent since the final horn.

But.

It all would have been for naught if not for... what? What were the primary contributions/reasons beyond Trae that allowed this team to eek out a 6 point win?

Who else deserved applause and isn't getting all they're due in your opinion?

I'll start.

KVon. If KVon doesn't make that crafty sneaky steal there in the waning seconds, CLE has a very real opportunity to pull out the win.

[JayBirdHawk]

And this guy...he locked up Garland.

 

 

[Spud2nique]

Big … medium O. My guy! He just wants to win the game, that’s it. 
 

When OO, Hunter and Delon lock down folks, it’s just fun to watch.

Again though, this team has been laser focused vs the hornets and last night. This team we are watching is better than last year’s playoff run even I’d say, at least so far. The defense looks sharper.

[Diesel]

This is the face of a guy whose Soul is getting Lifted on National TV!

 

[Diesel]

 

Darius Garland's Shoes: "Oh No.. we're losing Integrity!!!  We're about to have a Zion moment!!"

[Spud2nique]

1 minute ago, Diesel said:

This is the face of a guy whose Soul is getting Lifted on National TV!

 

Delon wanted PALMING too! GIMME GIMME GIMME. Skilled defender.

[sturt]

11 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

Big … medium O

[Diesel]

 

+

 

=

 

The Long Walk 

[benhillboy]

2 hours ago, sturt said:

KVon. If KVon doesn't make that crafty sneaky steal there in the waning seconds, CLE has a very real opportunity to pull out the win.

Back to back cuts to the basket for easy lay ups in the second quarter as well.  That was huge.  
 

Miami gets a lot of points off back doors, they’re gonna target Trae often off the ball, we gotta try to match it.

Edited April 16, 2022 by benhillboy

[Diesel]

14 minutes ago, benhillboy said:

Back to back cuts to the basket for easy lay ups in the second quarter as well.  That was huge.  
 

Miami gets a lot of points off back doors, they’re gonna target Trae often off the ball, we gotta try to match it.

I noticed last night... That Trae funnelled his man into CC/OO and matched up with whoever came into his zone.   The only time Trae's defense looked really bad was when he got caught trying to make a switch with Hunter and Hunter didn't know that Trae was trying to switch.

It seems that Trae plays high in the zone unless there's a PNR and then he switches and escorts his man to CC/OO and if his man fans off, he follows and when possible switches back with Hunter (for rebounding purposes). 

This type of zone is complicated but it slows the PNR action if everybody plays their role. 

[JeffS17]

2 hours ago, sturt said:

The praise for Trae's 2nd half last night has been deserved and persistent since the final horn.

But.

It all would have been for naught if not for... what? What were the primary contributions/reasons beyond Trae that allowed this team to eek out a 6 point win?

Who else deserved applause and isn't getting all they're due in your opinion?

I'll start.

KVon. If KVon doesn't make that crafty sneaky steal there in the waning seconds, CLE has a very real opportunity to pull out the win.

No one has talked about Bogi much... I thought he might be the x factor last night and he scored 19 on like 8 shots... super efficient, kept us in the game in the first half.  Him and Kev and Delon had really nice games.

[Diesel]

I found this gem...

 

 

Right now.. we play a lot of 2-3 zone.  Probably the most studied zone defense in the world.   When JC gets back... better for us would be the 1-3-1.  I think it would be great to have JC play the mid middle... and then allow our wangs... to cover the perimeters.   From the mid middle, JC can help Trae with the high Screen and roll or with the defense at the top of the key.   Our other guys have to get off their but and move.  Then Clint can roam in the low post area.

 

[benhillboy]

47 minutes ago, JeffS17 said:

No one has talked about Bogi much... I thought he might be the x factor last night and he scored 19 on like 8 shots... super efficient, kept us in the game in the first half.  Him and Kev and Delon had really nice games.

I’ve never made a Bogi thread but I did after last night.  He’s up and down but you never have to worry about him being scared.  Big balls.

[JeffS17]

49 minutes ago, benhillboy said:

I’ve never made a Bogi thread but I did after last night.  He’s up and down but you never have to worry about him being scared.  Big balls.

Yep, my favorite thing about him -- definitely lives for big moments similar to Trae.  It's nice not having a team of dudes who shrink in the spotlight.