Couple questions...

[ScoobyDoo]

Overall I thought Doc did well with his substitions. In general, I'm not a big fan of his rotations aand ingame adjustments but I thought he did well for the most part last night. Credit where credit is due.

One question though:

With Rondo having such a great night at point, why:

A) Was Pierce running the point at the top of the key down the stretch. he threw the ball away twice. Was it because he'a better foul shooter than Rondo so if he got fouled...

B) Along the same lines, why were he and Ray bringing it up the court? Same reason, for foul shooting purposes.

I understand this theory when it's obvious that it'a foul and shoot three or quick baskets for the other team, like in the last 30-40 seconds.

But with Rondo playing so well why wouldn't he be running the point?

any theories on this? It seemed like Pierce waved Rondo off a few times. And tiwce this resulted in turnover by Pierce that I doubt Rondo would have created. 

[crownsy]

Overall I thought Doc did well with his substitions. In general, I'm not a big fan of his rotations aand ingame adjustments but I thought he did well for the most part last night. Credit where credit is due.

One question though:

With Rondo having such a great night at point, why:

A) Was Pierce running the point at the top of the key down the stretch. he threw the ball away twice. Was it because he'a better foul shooter than Rondo so if he got fouled...

B) Along the same lines, why were he and Ray bringing it up the court? Same reason, for foul shooting purposes.

I understand this theory when it's obvious that it'a foul and shoot three or quick baskets for the other team, like in the last 30-40 seconds.

But with Rondo playing so well why wouldn't he be running the point?

any theories on this? It seemed like Pierce waved Rondo off a few times. And tiwce this resulted in turnover by Pierce that I doubt Rondo would have created. 

they played that set to long but it worked three times in a row for good looks before that.

They did it as a change up to punish the cavs for denying rondo the ball and doubling pierce. by having rajon set the pick and paul be the point, the cavs were left with a difficult choice, they could either set a double on paul 25 ft from the basket, which didnt work the first 2 times, because paul gave it up to rajon, whos man was gone to double pierce. This let rono have a free run into the paint while Kg rolled down and ray went to the corner, or he could shoot.

The third time they let pierce have a one on one to the basket, which i belive he didnt take, but they got rid of the double team.

Now, i am fully on board that they tried it to many times, on the foruth attempt delonte got wise, faked the double, then tipped the ball away when paul tried to hit rajon to give him the free run.

Its not a bad set once in awhile, certainly not one you want to run alot though.

[jr_3421]

I just saw it as Paul being Paul. He is a closer and wants the ball in his hands at the end of games. Plus im not sure he completely trusts Rondo with end of game decsions.

[crownsy]

it wasent paul being paul, rondo called the set. He gave it up to paul pointed to ray to go left, kg to go right, and set the pick on delonte all three times.

That was a set play, not some randomness.

[Celtic]

I think it was used, as you mentioned, to keep the ball in the hands of a good free throw shooter, and proven scorer. It was also effective because it gave Cleveland a look at something the C's hadn't thrown at them yet in the series. It was very similar to much of the offense that the Cavs run, small forward at the top of the key, trying to create/get to the line, or kick out, with the help of a pick and roll.

[jr_3421]

At least one of those possessions Rondo came back to get the ball from Pierce but he repeatedly waved him off. It didnt seem like Rondo wanted to run that set. I felt he was just adjusted to what Paul wanted to do...just my interpretation of the situation.

[EJPLAYA]

Often it was just the rebounder giving the ball to Ray or PP. If it is in their hands then they are just bringing it up the floor. At end of games you want to get into that play that much quicker for more options.

[hwangjini_1]

Overall I thought Doc did well with his substitions. In general, I'm not a big fan of his rotations aand ingame adjustments but I thought he did well for the most part last night. Credit where credit is due.

One question though:

With Rondo having such a great night at point, why:

A) Was Pierce running the point at the top of the key down the stretch. he threw the ball away twice. Was it because he'a better foul shooter than Rondo so if he got fouled...

B) Along the same lines, why were he and Ray bringing it up the court? Same reason, for foul shooting purposes.

I understand this theory when it's obvious that it'a foul and shoot three or quick baskets for the other team, like in the last 30-40 seconds.

But with Rondo playing so well why wouldn't he be running the point?

any theories on this? It seemed like Pierce waved Rondo off a few times. And tiwce this resulted in turnover by Pierce that I doubt Rondo would have created. 

they played that set to long but it worked three times in a row for good looks before that.

They did it as a change up to punish the cavs for denying rondo the ball and doubling pierce. by having rajon set the pick and paul be the point, the cavs were left with a difficult choice, they could either set a double on paul 25 ft from the basket, which didnt work the first 2 times, because paul gave it up to rajon, whos man was gone to double pierce. This let rono have a free run into the paint while Kg rolled down and ray went to the corner, or he could shoot.

The third time they let pierce have a one on one to the basket, which i belive he didnt take, but they got rid of the double team.

Now, i am fully on board that they tried it to many times, on the foruth attempt delonte got wise, faked the double, then tipped the ball away when paul tried to hit rajon to give him the free run.

Its not a bad set once in awhile, certainly not one you want to run alot though.

good analysis. thanks for helping me see the game a little better.