Tim Bontemps tidbit on Porzingis trade: The Js struggled against switching Ds

[obnoxiousmime]

Tim Bontemps had a tidbit on today's Hoop Collective podcast while they were talking about the Cs in the "free agent losers" segment. He said that from talking to people with the Cs on the Porzingis trade, they said Brown and Tatum had trouble scoring "at a high level late in the playoffs" against switching defenses and Porzingis would give them a different option against those looks.

https://youtu.be/8jhSNVXXPwY?t=333

I'm not the best Xs and Os guy, but shouldn't Tatum love going against switching defenses? Is he a good one-on-one player or isn't he? It's bewildering what has happened since his rookie year, but maybe that was a mirage because he wasn't the first option then. Since very few defenders can block his shot, what exactly is happening? Is he just too bothered by physicality? Does he settle for too many 3s in those situations? One of my pet theories is that Tatum is just too top heavy and doesn't have a large enough base to not be upended by physical defenders. Sometimes I think he should actually go back to being lighter if it gives him a little more speed on that first step.

Also, is there a reason why Butler could always get the switch he wanted onto White or Horford but we couldn't get Tatum a similar mismatch against someone tiny like Vincent? I never really understood why our switching D was like, "here you go" on a silver platter, but in the reverse situation the Cs took like 15 seconds off the clock just to get into just as bad of a matchup as they originally had.

[BackDoorCut]

I think it's Tatum's trainer. Very jump shot oriented.

[greg683x]

Tim Bontemps had a tidbit on today's Hoop Collective podcast while they were talking about the Cs in the "free agent losers" segment. He said that from talking to people with the Cs on the Porzingis trade, they said Brown and Tatum had trouble scoring "at a high level late in the playoffs" against switching defenses and Porzingis would give them a different option against those looks.

https://youtu.be/8jhSNVXXPwY?t=333

I'm not the best Xs and Os guy, but shouldn't Tatum love going against switching defenses? Is he a good one-on-one player or isn't he? It's bewildering what has happened since his rookie year, but maybe that was a mirage because he wasn't the first option then. Since very few defenders can block his shot, what exactly is happening? Is he just too bothered by physicality? Does he settle for too many 3s in those situations? One of my pet theories is that Tatum is just too top heavy and doesn't have a large enough base to not be upended by physical defenders. Sometimes I think he should actually go back to being lighter if it gives him a little more speed on that first step.[\b]

Also, is there a reason why Butler could always get the switch he wanted onto White or Horford but we couldn't get Tatum a similar mismatch against someone tiny like Vincent? I never really understood why our switching D was like, "here you go" on a silver platter, but in the reverse situation the Cs took like 15 seconds off the clock just to get into just as bad of a matchup as they originally had.

Tatum may be a little top heavy, but if physicality from defenders hasn’t deterred KD in crunch time over the years then it shouldn’t affect Tatum.  I don’t buy that Tatum isn’t as quick as KD either

[obnoxiousmime]

Tim Bontemps had a tidbit on today's Hoop Collective podcast while they were talking about the Cs in the "free agent losers" segment. He said that from talking to people with the Cs on the Porzingis trade, they said Brown and Tatum had trouble scoring "at a high level late in the playoffs" against switching defenses and Porzingis would give them a different option against those looks.

https://youtu.be/8jhSNVXXPwY?t=333

I'm not the best Xs and Os guy, but shouldn't Tatum love going against switching defenses? Is he a good one-on-one player or isn't he? It's bewildering what has happened since his rookie year, but maybe that was a mirage because he wasn't the first option then. Since very few defenders can block his shot, what exactly is happening? Is he just too bothered by physicality? Does he settle for too many 3s in those situations? One of my pet theories is that Tatum is just too top heavy and doesn't have a large enough base to not be upended by physical defenders. Sometimes I think he should actually go back to being lighter if it gives him a little more speed on that first step.[\b]

Also, is there a reason why Butler could always get the switch he wanted onto White or Horford but we couldn't get Tatum a similar mismatch against someone tiny like Vincent? I never really understood why our switching D was like, "here you go" on a silver platter, but in the reverse situation the Cs took like 15 seconds off the clock just to get into just as bad of a matchup as they originally had.

Tatum may be a little top heavy, but if physicality from defenders hasn’t deterred KD in crunch time over the years then it shouldn’t affect Tatum.  I don’t buy that Tatum isn’t as quick as KD either

Sure, but Durant is an otherworldly shooter while Tatum is notoriously streaky.

[tenn_smoothie]

Is there a reason why Butler could always get the switch he wanted onto White or Horford but we couldn't get Tatum a similar mismatch against someone tiny like Vincent? I never really understood why our switching D was like, "here you go" on a silver platter, but in the reverse situation the Cs took like 15 seconds off the clock just to get into just as bad of a matchup as they originally had.

You may want to look at our clueless head coach for the answer to this last question.

[CFAN38]

I thought the decline of Al post game was actually an issue last playoffs. Has basic as his post game is he used to be able to take advantage of size mismatches. With that wrinkle of the offense not available Tatum was forced to carry a heavy load bs a half court switching D. Brown also needs to be able to use his strength to abuse smalls in switches, not try to take 6’3 guys off the dribble.

BS saw these issues and added a big who will exploit any switch that leaves him with a non big.

[Roy H.]

I think we had a coach preaching bombs away from outside, without any versatility to the offense.  Joe doesn't know how to make adjustments.

[LilRip]

Tatum can score against any defender but the problems that I saw were:

1) poor roll threats
2) he often had to create his own shot ala Harden, instead of the team getting him to good spots
3) doubles forced him to give up the rock (which to his credit, he passed out of pretty well)

I agree that Kristaps will help him out. However, our offensive philosophy is the kind that shines during regular season and struggles deep in the post season. So that’s what I think REALLY needs a big change.

I think it’s hard to win by taking tough shots. It’s ok to take threes but they have to be good threes. Only Steph’s Warriors have ever bucked that trend and even then, Lebron almost single-handedly beat them (or they had KD aka one of the most talented rosters ever).

Ironically, we’re pretty similar to the Sixers. A lot of iso ball, not a ton of plays called, and a bunch of questionable looks. We both do well in the regular season but our best players can sometimes just “lose the magic” during the postseason, although both teams can still pull out wins because they can out-talent their opponents.

[gouki88]

One of the things Porzingis is really good at is punishing switching defences. He has become really good at taking advantage of smaller guys being switched out onto him - can score in the post at will on those guys. He's a really intriguing match-up problem, because with his shooting touch he is a real perimeter spacer, but at 7'3" he obviously provides vertical spacing too, and he punishes switches.

[Roy H.]

One of the things Porzingis is really good at is punishing switching defences. He has become really good at taking advantage of smaller guys being switched out onto him - can score in the post at will on those guys. He's a really intriguing match-up problem, because with his shooting touch he is a real perimeter spacer, but at 7'3" he obviously provides vertical spacing too, and he punishes switches.

Yeah.  There's a reason he was called a unicorn.  He's deadly in the paint, he can space, and he can be disruptive on defense.  I hope the coaching staff is spending all summer figuring out ways to maximize his skill set.

In the back of my head, I worry we'll see Joe use him like Horford, which means ignoring his inside skillset and focusing almost exclusively on the perimeter.  That would be a horrific misuse of skills for a 7'3" guy, but I haven't seen a lot of flexibility and adaptability in the past from Joe.

The one area I don't feel I have a good grasp on:  how is KP as a passer? 

[gouki88]

One of the things Porzingis is really good at is punishing switching defences. He has become really good at taking advantage of smaller guys being switched out onto him - can score in the post at will on those guys. He's a really intriguing match-up problem, because with his shooting touch he is a real perimeter spacer, but at 7'3" he obviously provides vertical spacing too, and he punishes switches.

Yeah.  There's a reason he was called a unicorn.  He's deadly in the paint, he can space, and he can be disruptive on defense.  I hope the coaching staff is spending all summer figuring out ways to maximize his skill set.

In the back of my head, I worry we'll see Joe use him like Horford, which means ignoring his inside skillset and focusing almost exclusively on the perimeter.  That would be a horrific misuse of skills for a 7'3" guy, but I haven't seen a lot of flexibility and adaptability in the past from Joe.

The one area I don't feel I have a good grasp on:  how is KP as a passer?

Yeah, I don’t want Joe to bury him in the corner. He has a lot to offer beyond shooting.

He seems to have made improvements in the last two seasons as a passer. He had quite a knack for finding Beal on cuts or sneaky dump offs when he was in the post. I think he should be able to hover around 3APG. Not Horford, but good enough

[Vermont Green]

My first thought on this is that the problem was not when they switched on Tatum, it is when they doubled him, which was often in the playoffs.  I think he has gotten better at dealing with the double, not as good as Jimmy Butler, but better.  Scheme is an issue too though.  The rest of the team needs to be moving, not just standing around.

As to Porzingis, I absolutely think he is going to help tremendously.  Most of the year, we played Horford and 4 guards/wings.  Horford mostly stayed in the corner.  Porzingis is going to add much more versatility to the offense.  This should make it harder for teams to double Tatum (or Brown).

[boscel33]

My first thought on this is that the problem was not when they switched on Tatum, it is when they doubled him, which was often in the playoffs.  I think he has gotten better at dealing with the double, not as good as Jimmy Butler, but better.  Scheme is an issue too though.  The rest of the team needs to be moving, not just standing around.

As to Porzingis, I absolutely think he is going to help tremendously.  Most of the year, we played Horford and 4 guards/wings.  Horford mostly stayed in the corner.  Porzingis is going to add much more versatility to the offense.  This should make it harder for teams to double Tatum (or Brown).

You know, if you remember, Pierce was horrible for a long time recognizing the double team and what to do.  I expect Tatum to grow like he did.

[Csfan1984]

Quick decisions and structured plays equal better execution. The Jays get caught holding the ball too long and follow it up by making bad decisions. Some of it is on them some on the coach for allowing it.

 Coach needs to force more plays and design open shots vs waiting for the Jays to draw doubles and make the call of who to pass to all the time. The Jays are not those kind of high vision playmakers.

 Porzingis does have some vision based on his height and the ability to not feel pressured. Running more of the offense off him could help generate better looks. But will the Jays be okay allowing Porzingis to playmake?

We seen these guys do their own thing with three different coaches. With some loud mouths out we will see if the Jays can reign in this team to form a more focused dialed in club on both sides of the ball. Try to steal from the other teams in the league on how to play off your bigs. With Al, TL, and now Porzingis there is no need for the Jays to handle the ball so much. Be finishers and get #18.

[Who]

One of the things Porzingis is really good at is punishing switching defences. He has become really good at taking advantage of smaller guys being switched out onto him - can score in the post at will on those guys. He's a really intriguing match-up problem, because with his shooting touch he is a real perimeter spacer, but at 7'3" he obviously provides vertical spacing too, and he punishes switches.

Yeah.  There's a reason he was called a unicorn.  He's deadly in the paint, he can space, and he can be disruptive on defense.  I hope the coaching staff is spending all summer figuring out ways to maximize his skill set.

In the back of my head, I worry we'll see Joe use him like Horford, which means ignoring his inside skillset and focusing almost exclusively on the perimeter.  That would be a horrific misuse of skills for a 7'3" guy, but I haven't seen a lot of flexibility and adaptability in the past from Joe.

The one area I don't feel I have a good grasp on:  how is KP as a passer?

Like Rick Carlisle did towards the end of Zinger's time in Dallas.