Every offensive possession needs to start with KG in the post

[EJPLAYA]

We need to take advantage of a big mismatch we have on the offensive end of the floor that we did a horrible job of tonight. Unlike the Atlanta series where their length and athleticism gave KG trouble, the Cavs have no answer for KG on the block. Ben is not tall enough to defend his turnaround. Joe Smith can be taken easily to the rim. If Z gets switched over he also gets blown past or shot over. Side Show Bob (Vareajo) can't defend him and gets blown past. We went to him a couple times early and he scored 6 quick points, and then we stopped.

When they start to double team to solve this problem we can take advantage of his passing out of the post with cuts by Rondo and PP, dunks by Perk, and open shots by Ray. We need to stop this stupid dribbling out the clock and not isolating this big mismatch. He is the only one that really has one against this team. We know PP can't consistently score on LeBron. We know that Ray isn't being used to create right now. Rondo can't seem to get open. Had we done this tonight we wouldn't have had a 26 pt deficit that was virtually impossible to come back from. We may not have won, but it would have been closer.

[wdleehi]

I agree.


Leads to better shots.  Leads to more Cleveland fouls. 

[Team Green]

I 100% agree.

I wonder if the team's reluctance to feed one player is a result of the ease with which the team ran through the regular season. There were so many blowout wins that the Celtics rarely needed to keep working the hot man.

Rivers needs to emphasize the importance of getting the ball to #5. Our offense is in shambles right now.

[Big Ticket]

After a Cleveland made basket and when there isn't an obvious other option... then yes, for the most part.  He's the biggest mismatch and he's the only one that can force Cleveland into a tough decision-double or single.

[jay_jay54]

EJ as usual,you hit it out of the ball park here...they were doing this,but went away from it quickly.KG took advantage of the matchup situation in Boston.Tonight,just when he was starting to get some touches,they went completely away from it all together,with as you say one on one pounding the ball out at the top of the circle.If it wasn't Rondo doing it,Sam did it,then Pierce a few times.I mean,they didn't even look to exploit the KG matchup in the third at all.I was ****ed when the game was over,but i feel its up to Doc,to push it in their noggins to do this.TP for bringing it up.

[Bahku]

I agree for the most part EJ (TP) ... Ticket should be one of the major options here ... always. The ball should start out in Rondo's hands and he should be running it up the court every time, with the rest of the team running with him. He should be attacking the basket and getting the D on their heels. With the defense off-balance the ball should get to either Ticket or Pierce right away, if there's no quick option for Rage.

Pierce is the guy who should be creating, and when he gets the D to collapse on him, or Rondo does the same, KG is gonna have an easy time inside, and will be the major scorer. I don't think he's the number one option every time, I think our power comes in the ability to make many things happen, but I DO agree that KG is the main offensive focus.

With either Rondo or Pierce penetrating and attacking, Ticket is going to be the first option out, when the initial thrust isn't a scoring one, and the defense is collapsing. With his dominance in the paint, he'll be able to do just about anything he wants, including going back to the perimeter if he's shut off.

If Cassell is running the point, KG's going to hardly ever get touches ... the fast-break benefits everyone, and every time Sam has point, the defense has all the time in the world to adjust, and KG is the last one to get the ball. Attack, attack, attack, and when the first thrust is thwarted, KG will be open or at least will have the room to do his thing on the post.

[NYDan]

I agree with this to a point in the fact that Garentt can terrorize the Cavs frontcourt and he needs more touches, good things happen when he makes his decisions in the post. But really what we need is to have every offensive possession starting with crisp ball movement - the passing and patience that we had grown so accustomed to seeing in the regular season, which then leads to Garnett in the post in a better position than just Rondo dumping it to him with 20 seconds still on the shot clock. Too much useless dribbling going on in the half court though, no question.

[blueygreen]

Where's Mike to yell for more pick and rolls?

Not that it's a bad thing. Every time we set a screen both defenders pressure the ball handler, and we're not giving the right people the ball when setting the screen. I'm fine with Rondo and Pierce having the ball with someone like KG setting a screen. Cassell we saw had trouble and had to play for a foul, Ray just doesn't have handles and gets pressured easily. If we can stay calm with a double at the very top of the 3-pt line, we can find way more easy shots. If we can do that it's like playing 5-4 (which, coincidentally, we did yesterday), which is always a lot of fun.

I was amazed that we didn't give it to the player who has easily been the best for us during the playoffs. I want KG to get it, but not way out at midrange, I want Rondo to cut through after making the pass, I want Allen on the STRONG side for the open trey if they collapse on KG. I want Perk as safety, yeah you heard me. If KG gets in trouble he has an easy lob, and Perk can drag someone out of the paint. If they go and double then Perk can go and be near the rim. I want Pierce to stay weakside and cut in once KG goes to work. Or something. I want a lot of things. Most of all I want #17.

[celticmaestro]

completely agree. if he can do what he's been known to do then it will open things up for ray and paul. it's what we were picturing in the summer before the season began and it's what needs to happen.