James Young - better defender than I thought

[D.o.s.]

See, from your initial post I was gathering that you'd prefer to see the game played like this:

https://twitter.com/johnschuhmann/status/523093254712360960

[LooseCannon]

I use isolation plays to refer to plays where the idea is to get a player to create his own shot in a one-on-one situation.  Usually this begins on the perimeter, but an isolation play in the post is also an inefficient shot.

[Asher77]

I would prefer to see assisted baskets, drives to the hoop to get the other team in the penalty, and run run run like Tommy enjoys preaching. I am on board with the new termed "motion offense"

Overall I do not love the 3 point shot the way it is played today. Mid range game is fine with me if it is done right.

I like a PG who can keep all players involved and a team who makes quick decisions to attack good match ups while they are available.

Defenses in today's game do a good job switching on plays and collapsing on guys down low. The mid range game is harder in the NBA now and therefore the 3 point shot is more efficient as it is the more open shot and statistically more viable.

I like analysis. I am a financial analyst by trade.

[D.o.s.]

I would disagree with that, actually -- I think the open mid range jumper is easier to come by than an open three against a modern day NBA defense. Portland basically destroyed Houston last season in the playoffs by virtue of having an above-average midrange jump shooter getting wide open looks all series long.

There's definitely some boredom involved in watching a team like the Rockets, though. Aesthetically speaking, I really enjoy the long two in isolation.

[Asher77]

One thing that bugs me about the "Motion Offense" BS is running. Guys like James or Smart are often out there doing nothing.

Brad will have them run a 2 man or 3 man game to the point that the other guys could go get a drink of water because they absolutely know AB will be taking the shot or ET will drive once all the screen and re screen game comes to completion.

When these guys do run through the lane nobody is looking for them.

I thought we were supposed to see ball movement, player movement, and creativity.

We knock Smart for just taking 3's, same with James, but it is clear that this is the game they are being coached to play.

[Asher77]

I would disagree with that, actually -- I think the open mid range jumper is easier to come by than an open three against a modern day NBA defense. Portland basically destroyed Houston last season in the playoffs by virtue of having an above-average midrange jump shooter getting wide open looks all series long.

There's definitely some boredom involved in watching a team like the Rockets, though. Aesthetically speaking, I really enjoy the long two in isolation.

I would say it depends on how the defense is being coached.

 Teams are closing out on the 3 point shooters and collapsing back into the paint to protect the rim. This is by design and will give up the mid range game. It also lends it self to more effective small ball.

If a team where to look to stop a mid range game via defensive scheming they would be much more effective in today's game ( increased overall size/speed of players ). I think this is why teams went away from this originally. ( also less skilled players offensively in this style )

It is a back and forth swing, give and take away.

[Asher77]

Portland is a heck of a team that needs to be respected everywhere on the court. They take what they are given by the defense and have the personal to be effective at it.

[D.o.s.]

I would disagree with that, actually -- I think the open mid range jumper is easier to come by than an open three against a modern day NBA defense. Portland basically destroyed Houston last season in the playoffs by virtue of having an above-average midrange jump shooter getting wide open looks all series long.

There's definitely some boredom involved in watching a team like the Rockets, though. Aesthetically speaking, I really enjoy the long two in isolation.

I would say it depends on how the defense is being coached.

 Teams are closing out on the 3 point shooters and collapsing back into the paint to protect the rim. This is by design and will give up the mid range game. It also lends it self to more effective small ball.

If a team where to look to stop a mid range game via defensive scheming they would be much more effective in today's game ( increased overall size/speed of players ). I think this is why teams went away from this originally. ( also less skilled players offensively in this style )

It is a back and forth swing, give and take away.

Agreed -- that's part of the reason the Blazers got slaughtered by San Antonio in almost every game in that second round.

[spikelovetheCelts]

He is a couple years behind some of the other young potential elites .

He's not a "potential elite". He's a potential NBA player.

He has Potential Elite Stroke now. He is going to be a shooter in this league.
If he works like Allen, Reddick or Korver. He will be an elite shooter.