Score points.
Everyone is saying this team isn't playing defense but it's their inability to score that is leading to big runs. How do we score more points?
Ray has to get out of his slump. Pierce needs the spring back in his step that he had in the beginning of the year. Rondo needs to push the tempo more and be more aggressive.
KG being able to actually jump and catch lobs would be gravy.
Not sure if any of that is possible. But really...all of the team's go to scorers are old and limping. They needed rest. Was the AS break enough? Well see.
Hit the nail on the head. We've scored over 100 points in only 5 of 18 games since the new year. 2 of those 5 were against the Raptors, AKA the worst defense in the league, 1 was against the Nets, the 3rd worst defense in the league, and 2 against the heat (1 of which went into OT).
Consider that we started the season scoring over 100 pts in 50% of our games (16 out 32 games).
To stop the huge runs we need to: a) hit shots, especially 3s, b) grab offensive rebounds, c) draw fouls consistently, d) turn the ball over less, or e) revive the defensive performances of 07/08.
A is at least theoretically possible, given that Ray/Eddie/Sheed are shooting well below career averages, but seems unlikely given the duration of their slumps to date. B doesn't seem possible with our current personnel and Doc's preference. Unless Pierce goes back in time, I can't see C materializing. D is again difficult to depend on given the historic turnover rates of key cogs like Rondo, Pierce and Perk, but perhaps Daniels replacement of TA will do something to stem the tide. E is entirely contingent on KG returning to optimum performance levels, which has to viewed as doubtful.
So in conclusion, we probably won't be able to stop huge runs unless we get KG back at early season levels and/or our bombers start hitting their targets more consistently.
