It starts with the?.

[TheReaLPuba]

?defense.

Particularly the perimeter

Holiday has been out here and there but our guards and wingman have trouble containing the ball on consistent basis

We have guys that can shoot and score

We absolutely need better perimeter defense not just to keep the ball and man in front of you but also to put some pressure on the dribbler

Also either Tatum or Brown need to specifically prioritize being the stopper on defense which means sacrificing scoring - would be great if they both did this but this team needs a focal point on offense in the waning moments when games get close so someone needs to be in a regular offensive rhythm night in and night out

The team also needs to create other types of scoring options besides chucking the 3?s

There needs to be more pick and rolls/pops, some lobs to the bigs, some transition/easy buckets, some more post ups, etc.

This team has become way too one-dimensional on offense and it?s easy to stop because bad shooting is contagious

But offense isn?t the biggest problem - it?s the defense or lack of mentality of playing stronger defense

It?s possible we are just going through the motions and will turn it up defensively in the playoffs? Sure. But bad habits tend to creep up when you commit them regularly - which is why we blow leads and without a strong base defensively we are not a good come from behind team

And it?s also possible the coaching staff is playing end of the bench guys more to offer rest and boost their confidence but it?s hurting the present chance of winning regular season games

Does this team need home court to win in the playoffs? Probably not but it?s helpful mentally/emotionally - truth of the matter is this season we are dreadful at home and the lack of pride defending our home court is troubling

Some how this team is still favored to win the title despite holding the 3rd best record and playing .500 ball since early December - Vegas knows something

[Roy H.]

I agree that our success will start with defense.

I have a hard time criticizing Holiday for not being able to stay in front of SGA.  What defender in the NBA can keep the quick, elite-scoring guards in front of them *consistently*?  Answer:  nobody.  Without hand-checking and physicality, it can't happen.  No defender can "out quick" SGA.

I think Tatum would struggle as the primary cover for him.  Brown is the guy I would try.  He's got a big size and strength advantage, while still have good (not elite) quickness and defensive smarts.

Another part of the problem is that, outside of KP, we have nobody that can protect the rim.  Between Al, Kornet, Queta, and Tillman, not a one of them really deters drives to the basket.  And, KP's rim protection hasn't seemed as effective this year as last (that's completely anecdotal on my part; I haven't looked up stats).

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I'm getting frustrated that the default offense is "chuck threes".  There's a philosophy of "if it's a good shot, take it, no matter the circumstances".  However, 1) a lot of the threes we're taking seem rushed and aren't "good shots"; and 2) sometimes your team just needs a bucket, and there is a much higher percentage of scoring inside than there is from outside. 

[TheReaLPuba]

This team is shook.

Has no pride.

Playing like they have nothing to prove.

Defending their championship means nothing to them.

[Phantom255x]

There are a handful of issues but one thing that is glaring is... I feel like of our 11 losses most of them have happened where we literally can't get stops in the 4th quarter. That's alarming.

Yes some of it is also our own poor shooting, but our defense in the close, clutch moments has been a complete 180 from 2024.

SAC felt like they couldn't miss in the 4th and they were also generating many open looks.