Author Topic: Why can't people figure out how to stop a 1-dimensional player who ..........  (Read 4527 times)

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Offline BitterJim

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.......... drives to the basket 99% of the time and can't hit a shot outside of 5 feet?

Its sickening.  There was Shaq, then LeBUM, now Giannis.

His size, length, athleticism, and ability to cover ground literally gives teams zero margin for error on the perimeter.  It's also game over if you turn the ball over on offense.  His "one dimension" is unbelievably dominant.  Let's also not pretend that there aren't five players on the court.  Imagine if Giannis had a shooter like Reddick or Korver to pair with Middleton.     

Yup. It's easy to figure out how to stop him. The issue is actually doing it.
I'm bitter.

Offline keevsnick

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Because his one dimension is really, really, really, really, really, really (deep breath), really good? I mean its not like nba coaches dont know how, in theory, you should treat Giannis. Sag off him and defend the rim seems like an easy idea but then you give a guy who can cover half court in three steps a runway, with his athleticism and length theres no way to stop him. So you stick closer to him and he's either by in two steps or will find the open man off the drive since he's an exceptional passer for his size. Even if you do stick with him all the way to the rim he's bigger than 99% of guys who can run with him so he finished over you. There a reason FREAK is in his nickname. And ya, the refs help, but half the problem is the refs rarely see somebody that big move that way, and he dominates so often he gets the benefit of the doubt. 

Offline GreenEnvy

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I mean Shaq always got the ball down low and had the strength, skill, and athleticism to get to the rim.

LeBron wasn’t a great shooter coming into the league but by the time he got to Miami he was a pretty good shooter and now can hit daggers from anywhere on the court.

But Giannis? I really don’t get how they let him catch the ball beyond the 3 point line and still allow him to penetrate as far as he does (often getting to the rim) without daring him to shoot. I’d sag off him, collapse onto him earlier, whatever they need to do. I know he get more steps than 99.7% of NBA players and uses his shoulders as battering rams. But still, we need to figure him out. Once you adequately defend him (sounds easier said than done, but Brad can gameplan specifically for him), the rest of their offense should fold.
CELTICS 2024

Offline td450

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Consider how late in his development it was before he was exposed to the kind of coaching and resources that virtually all top prospects in the US get. He's 23. I would be really surprised if he's not the best player in the NBA next year.

Offline PhoSita

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Giannis is an extremely talented player who can score many ways.  I just think he lacks imagination on the court.  Compare how he uses his talents to Simmons or LeBron.  Doesn't have the same kind of court vision or unpredictability in how he attacks a defense.
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Offline konkmv

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He is not one dimensional... He just cannot shoot 3s... wouldn't you be happy to have him with the Celtics?

Offline Chris22

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NBA anoints certain players

Lebron is losing some of his referee love past year .  Imagime that he has to play under the same rules ....wow....not quite , but the time is closing in.

A selete group of players are THE NBA fanchise and that is that . They are protected by the refs above all others.

Giannis. Harden. Davis and now Simmons recieve the Diva Calls and fans expect it as such.

When you have a bright new shiney car .....you wash , wax it and don't want it scratched .

TP

Offline droopdog7

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Not taking this thread seriously at all.

Offline bellerephon

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You can stop him, it's actually fairly simple. You pack the defense in and collapse when he drives, so there are multiple defenders there no matter which way he goes. The problem is that this leaves the shooters open at the 3 point line. Milwaukee may not have great 3 point numbers, but if you let Middleton, Brogdon, or Terry set up uncovered on the 3 point line they are going to make you pay.

So you try to mix it up, sometimes you collapse when he drives, and try to recover when he passes out of the paint, other times you play him straight up and hope the defender can get it done. I'm actually not too concerned with Giannis, he's going to get his points. The Celts want to make him work hard, mix up defensive looks, keep him off balance, try to get him to take jump shots, but don't worry too much if scores 28 +.

What the Celts can't do is allow Middleton or Brogdon or Bledsoe to go off and score a bunch. They need to keep those guys under control. The Celts were fortunate to get the win last night given how effective Middleton was.

Offline Sophomore

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You can stop him, it's actually fairly simple. You pack the defense in and collapse when he drives, so there are multiple defenders there no matter which way he goes. The problem is that this leaves the shooters open at the 3 point line. Milwaukee may not have great 3 point numbers, but if you let Middleton, Brogdon, or Terry set up uncovered on the 3 point line they are going to make you pay.

So you try to mix it up, sometimes you collapse when he drives, and try to recover when he passes out of the paint, other times you play him straight up and hope the defender can get it done. I'm actually not too concerned with Giannis, he's going to get his points. The Celts want to make him work hard, mix up defensive looks, keep him off balance, try to get him to take jump shots, but don't worry too much if scores 28 +.

What the Celts can't do is allow Middleton or Brogdon or Bledsoe to go off and score a bunch. They need to keep those guys under control. The Celts were fortunate to get the win last night given how effective Middleton was.

All of this. Also, you try to make it hard enough on him early, and if you’re lucky tire him out a little, so he’s not coming downhill on you late in the game when the buckets are really hard to come by. Giannis scores a lot, but in the second half he settled for a bunch of jumpers and even a pull-up 3 above the break.

If that kid ever figures out how to hit jumpers, yikes.

Offline hpantazo

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NBA anoints certain players

Lebron is losing some of his referee love past year .  Imagime that he has to play under the same rules ....wow....not quite , but the time is closing in.

A selete group of players are THE NBA fanchise and that is that . They are protected by the refs above all others.

Giannis. Harden. Davis and now Simmons recieve the Diva Calls and fans expect it as such.

When you have a bright new shiney car .....you wash , wax it and don't want it scratched .

It goes double for him because he draws a large international audience. It broadens the NBA brand which is their long-term goal.

Offline nickagneta

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If he couldn't hit FTs it would be a lot easier to game plan for him. That will be Simmons problem. But Giannis is a very good free throw shooter so it makes it ridiculously hard to gameplan him.

Offline Beat LA

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With respect, I think that we're looking at this incorrectly in devoting so much attention to posing various ideas as to how to, at least theoretically, defend the guy, as was the case with Lebron, who looks like he'll get out of the league without anyone having ever exploited his principle weakness. Don't wear yourself out trying to defend guys like that - attack them.

For example, and as I said in another thread, Giannis, like Durant, simply cannot guard post players owing to his body type, so we should be pounding the ball inside with Horford as much as possible, but beyond that, did anyone else notice as to how Giannis goes for every pump fake? In one possession, Tatum faked the guy out of his shoes at least twice with the same move, so more of that, only this time get the contact and Giannis will be on the bench before you know it. He can't hurt you if he isn't on the court.

That said, the one guy who could give him fits, on both ends, is Pascal Siakam, imo. Brb, inventing time machine ;D.

Offline Androslav

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I am just waiting for a Greek CB members response on the one-dimensional part of the title :)

How many dimensions did Steve Novak had, or our own K.Perkins?
Do players with 0-dimensions even exist?
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"The joy of the balling under the rims."

Offline gouki88

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I am just waiting for a Greek CB members response on the one-dimensional part of the title :)

How many dimensions did Steve Novak had, or our own K.Perkins?
Do players with 0-dimensions even exist?
(X-files theme song)
I wish we had a one-dimensional All-NBA level player in addition to our multi-dimensional one, albeit an injured one
'23 Historical Draft: Orlando Magic.

PG: Terry Porter (90-91) / Steve Francis (00-01)
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PF: Terry Cummings (84-85) / Paul Millsap (15-16)
C: Chris Webber (00-01) / Ralph Sampson (83-84) / Andrew Bogut (09-10)