I noticed a lack of sync in this Pacer game that is sometimes common for early season games. You just dont expect to see it from the defending champions with basically the same team intact and returning. The 24 turnovers and poor shooting are certainly not realistic examples of this team's regular season play.
I think we need to look at a couple of areas for explanation:
1-Late arrival. I have heard we were just getting to the hotel at 5AM. This is ceratinly very poor planning on someones part. Doc should address this with Danny Ainge IMO so it doesnt happen again.
2-Preparation. Did we possibly 'not' prepare and take this team as seriously as we should have? Indiana was a doormat level team last year. Many people have said they will fall further with the loss of J.O. There are also many who continue to underestimate Troy Murphy, Granger, T.J. and the rest.
3-Spark off the bench. We do still need to develop an identity for the second unit and someone (Scal buddy)
needs to step up as it's leader. They were no more cohesive at this time last year even with Posey, but later in the season did find an identity.
I think all of these issues will be addressed during film sessions and team meetings to some degree. Our first unit did not play well tonite for sure, but they also will not let this become a habit. I am sure that all 5 of them were agonizing over their combined overall poor play.
Clearly we will play through this performance and I think we will see a fired up group of players go into the Houston game. There had better be or we will get a whipping.
Topic: Playing Through (Read 1019 times)