I have no problem going for two shots last night. Mathematically its almost certainly the right call, and whether we like it or not pretty much every coach in the NBA would do what Joe did that situation. When you are down you want to maximize the number of shots you take at the hoop, that why teams down one or 2 typically shoot well before time expires to get a chance at a tip.
The issue was more with the play calling. The first play resulted in a Tatum pull up three, which he shoots 28% on. Not a good shot. The second resulted in grant touching the ball as a decision maker. Not a good play design. You have to draw up better looks than that.
Pretty much this. I think it’s context dependent. I think in general the 2 for 1 when you’re down in a late game scenario like that and you’re coming off the timeout is generally the right call, but you HAVE to draw up a good look if you’re doing it. The 2 for 1 they drew up the other night for JB on the baseline in Cleveland was good and produced a good look at the basket; the one last night was awful. A Tatum pull up, above the break three was not only a poor shot based on his performance that game but also his season-long percentages on that shot, as Keevs points out.
I think the first three quarter 2 for 1s are the bigger issue. They seem to always pursue them regardless of time remaining, and the majority of the time it leads to two, poor quality rushed shots instead of one good look.
This is pretty characteristic with the rest of Joe’s philosophy and the team’s overall demeanor - no nuance and always an absolute or extreme.