Overpassing or underpassing?

[Spicoli]

What is your stance on how the team distributes the ball? We saw during the Heat series that when the team overpasses, the turnovers mount up quickly, which keeps the other team in the game. If they underpass, the turnovers go way down, but the offense stagnates because guys like Ray and Perk are in need of ball movement to score the majority of their points (even though Ray is more than capable of scoring in other ways as well). What do you think. Is overpassing or underpassing better for this team?

[LB3533]

I think underpassing is better for this team.

We have a lot of weapons on this team if we just make the right pass we can score on a good opportunity.

We don't need to make more passes to get an even better opportunity.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Both are extremes, hence bad. Ball movement is important, but not at the expense of missing good opportunities.

Turnovers are not a consequence of overpassing though. Turnovers are a consequence of laziness, lack of focus, and carelessness.

[PosImpos]

Generally making the extra pass is a good thing but I think the one player on our team who absolutely needs to look for his shot is KG.  I believe we're going to need KG to score in the high teens each game to have a good chance of beating the Cavs.

[Brendan]

Generally making the extra pass is a good thing but I think the one player on our team who absolutely needs to look for his shot is KG.  I believe we're going to need KG to score in the high teens each game to have a good chance of beating the Cavs.

Perk should generally go right up with the ball and not make a move or an extra pass looking for an assist. (I'm fine if he grabs the board and resets with a kick out.)

Ray Allen should always shoot when he's open - except if he doesn't I have to assume he knows something.

Pierce is more likely to force a shot.

KG is more likely to force a pass.

Rondo is probably just right.

[ballin]

What is your stance on how the team distributes the ball? We saw during the Heat series that when the team overpasses, the turnovers mount up quickly, which keeps the other team in the game. If they underpass, the turnovers go way down, but the offense stagnates because guys like Ray and Perk are in need of ball movement to score the majority of their points (even though Ray is more than capable of scoring in other ways as well). What do you think. Is overpassing or underpassing better for this team?

Good observation.

To be honest, I think part of the problem is we don't have players that are as adept at making their own shot anymore, so we're FORCED to pass in order to create decent shots. So we're pressured into what most teams would probably call overpassing, but for us it's just about right. It's just one of the weaknesses we have with our current personnel and the way our offense runs.

If we passed any less, we'd have too many forced opportunities. If we passed any more, we'd get even more turnovers. Screwed if we do, screwed if we don't. That said, I think KG in particular CAN still create his own shot (moreso than he thinks) and he needs to do so. If we could get him to be more aggressive in the post that would do this team a world of good.