Finally, a sane discussion on this blog. The insanity is everywhere on the home page.
A few thoughts as I wind through this disgraceful exhibition of unfocused basketball:
1. We must find a way to defend the screens more effectively. The blitzes are too tight, and the defenders are bailing out far too frequently on first contact, handing over one open three after another.
2. The rotations are slow on almost every possession. We look tired. Magic is right on TV: The length of the series appears to be catching up with us.
3. The ball movement is horrific. Too many possessions deteriorating into late-clock isos.
4. Defensive rebounding was atrocious. No effort on the defensive glass far too often.
It's shocking to me, really, how badly our game has deteriorated this week. We didn't do much of anything that I liked tonight, and I've seen 2.5 quarters thus far.
We have gone away - in total - from the recipe that won the first three games, from Rondo attacking with the basketball at the point to the ball movement and great rotations on defense.
What worries me is whether we can get it back. Fatigue appears to me to be a real issue here, and a shorter bench Friday night isn't going to help.
That botched Four Down at the end of the game Monday night may haunt me for a long time.
