Teams Will Start To Double Kyrie Like They Did Isaiah Last Season

[Phantom255x]

Yes, losing Hayward (easily our 2nd best scorer) for most of the season, if not the entire season, was a big blow.

But it's kind of made it so that teams will try the same strategy they did last year after about 35 or so games, and that is, start doubling our best player late in games.

Now between Kyrie and Isaiah, it will be harder to cover Kyrie because of his size and handles, BUT it can still be done and teams can at least contain him and force others to cover up and shoot.

AND THERE LIES THE PROBLEM. I love what Kyrie has done for us, and I love our youth. But lets be honest, this team has started to become extremely reliant on Kyrie late in games, and when Kyrie has been contained, it's been a struggle for the C's, and is a factor (out of many) that's contributing to this rough stretch.

Now in terms of the Christmas Day game, it does help for Washington that they had arguably the best defending PG on Kyrie late and he did his job, but I saw others make it tough for Kyrie to drive, and it also led to some poor turnovers late.

THE SOLUTION? DRAW UP more plays for Tatum and Horford late in games on offense.

Seriously, even Doris Burke said that Tatum at 19 years old is a secondary 4th quarter scoring option along with Kyrie, but it baffled me how it seemed the final 2-3 minutes, they didn't draw up many plays for him when it seemed evident Kyrie was going to be contained/doubled. Same with Horford. It was a combination of hero-ball and poor play that led to that brutal 21-8 run to end that game.

Unlike last year (where poor Isaiah had to do it all pretty much since there was no real 2nd scoring threat), we actually have a few more legitimate scoring options (even w/Hayward injured) and guys who can create their own shots, and they need to be utilized better late in games.

Now I'm aware, rebounding sucked late in the game as well, and this isn't the only factor, BUT it's reminding me a lot of last year where we had some real cold stretches once teams "figured out" Isaiah better (and now, they're figuring Kyrie out a bit late in games).

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Yes, losing Hayward (easily our 2nd best scorer) for most of the season, if not the entire season, was a big blow.

But it's kind of made it so that teams will try the same strategy they did last year after about 35 or so games, and that is, start doubling our best player late in games.

Now between Kyrie and Isaiah, it will be harder to cover Kyrie because of his size and handles, BUT it can still be done and teams can at least contain him and force others to cover up and shoot.

AND THERE LIES THE PROBLEM. I love what Kyrie has done for us, and I love our youth. But lets be honest, this team has started to become extremely reliant on Kyrie late in games, and when Kyrie has been contained, it's been a struggle for the C's, and is a factor (out of many) that's contributing to this rough stretch.

Now in terms of the Christmas Day game, it does help for Washington that they had arguably the best defending PG on Kyrie late and he did his job, but I saw others make it tough for Kyrie to drive, and it also led to some poor turnovers late.

THE SOLUTION? DRAW UP more plays for Tatum and Horford late in games on offense.

Seriously, even Doris Burke said that Tatum at 19 years old is a secondary 4th quarter scoring option along with Kyrie, but it baffled me how it seemed the final 2-3 minutes, they didn't draw up many plays for him when it seemed evident Kyrie was going to be contained/doubled. Same with Horford. It was a combination of hero-ball and poor play that led to that brutal 21-8 run to end that game.

Unlike last year (where poor Isaiah had to do it all pretty much since there was no real 2nd scoring threat), we actually have a few more legitimate scoring options (even w/Hayward injured) and guys who can create their own shots, and they need to be utilized better late in games.

Now I'm aware, rebounding sucked late in the game as well, and this isn't the only factor, BUT it's reminding me a lot of last year where we had some real cold stretches once teams "figured out" Isaiah better (and now, they're figuring Kyrie out a bit late in games).

Question to y'all who have been closely analyzing the games. When teams double Kyrie, who gets left open most regularly? I am imagining that as much there is someone open because of doubling Kyrie, that someone might not be Al Horford of Jason Tatum.

[Eddie20]

Off-topic...

Why do you bold certain parts of your posts? The bolded sections are pretty random and not more important than other thoughts, yet I still find myself only reading the bolded and skipping the rest.

[Phantom255x]

Off-topic...

Why do you bold certain parts of your posts? The bolded sections are pretty random and not more important than other thoughts, yet I still find myself only reading the bolded and skipping the rest.

Lol I just consider the bold parts the more important parts of the whole post, since it's fairly long as you see.

I can just take out the bolds if you want.

[Phantom255x]

Yes, losing Hayward (easily our 2nd best scorer) for most of the season, if not the entire season, was a big blow.

But it's kind of made it so that teams will try the same strategy they did last year after about 35 or so games, and that is, start doubling our best player late in games.

Now between Kyrie and Isaiah, it will be harder to cover Kyrie because of his size and handles, BUT it can still be done and teams can at least contain him and force others to cover up and shoot.

AND THERE LIES THE PROBLEM. I love what Kyrie has done for us, and I love our youth. But lets be honest, this team has started to become extremely reliant on Kyrie late in games, and when Kyrie has been contained, it's been a struggle for the C's, and is a factor (out of many) that's contributing to this rough stretch.

Now in terms of the Christmas Day game, it does help for Washington that they had arguably the best defending PG on Kyrie late and he did his job, but I saw others make it tough for Kyrie to drive, and it also led to some poor turnovers late.

THE SOLUTION? DRAW UP more plays for Tatum and Horford late in games on offense.

Seriously, even Doris Burke said that Tatum at 19 years old is a secondary 4th quarter scoring option along with Kyrie, but it baffled me how it seemed the final 2-3 minutes, they didn't draw up many plays for him when it seemed evident Kyrie was going to be contained/doubled. Same with Horford. It was a combination of hero-ball and poor play that led to that brutal 21-8 run to end that game.

Unlike last year (where poor Isaiah had to do it all pretty much since there was no real 2nd scoring threat), we actually have a few more legitimate scoring options (even w/Hayward injured) and guys who can create their own shots, and they need to be utilized better late in games.

Now I'm aware, rebounding sucked late in the game as well, and this isn't the only factor, BUT it's reminding me a lot of last year where we had some real cold stretches once teams "figured out" Isaiah better (and now, they're figuring Kyrie out a bit late in games).

Question to y'all who have been closely analyzing the games. When teams double Kyrie, who gets left open most regularly? I am imagining that as much there is someone open because of doubling Kyrie, that someone might not be Al Horford of Jason Tatum.

Horford is typically covered inside, but I notice Tatum at times is given space more often since he typically is outside the paint or around the perimeter.

I feel with Tatum's iso-skills though, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give him the ball, dribble it out a bit, and have him go 1-on-1 trying to create separation and take a shot (not every single play, but occasionally when nothing else is working).

But sometimes, getting the ball to him becomes a problem as the shot clock goes down and then Kyrie starts to get covered/doubled.

[Eddie20]

Off-topic...

Why do you bold certain parts of your posts? The bolded sections are pretty random and not more important than other thoughts, yet I still find myself only reading the bolded and skipping the rest.

Lol I just consider the bold parts the more important parts of the whole post, since it's fairly long as you see.

I can just take out the bolds if you want.

Nah, it's cool. I was just curious since sometimes some solid points aren't bolded. 

[Phantom255x]

Off-topic...

Why do you bold certain parts of your posts? The bolded sections are pretty random and not more important than other thoughts, yet I still find myself only reading the bolded and skipping the rest.

Lol I just consider the bold parts the more important parts of the whole post, since it's fairly long as you see.

I can just take out the bolds if you want.

Nah, it's cool. I was just curious since sometimes some solid points aren't bolded. 

Ah okay. Cool 

[KGBirdBias]

Sounds like some are starting to notice what I've been saying for 3 weeks. Teams are blitzing Kyrie and we haven't come up with an answer. The answer has always been Tatum but no one wants to say it because he's 19. We end up with forced shots or Smart taking bad shots. If you're open they've left you open for a reason.

Run more PnRs using Kyrie\Tatum, Horford\Tatum and 3 man games with Kyrie\Tatum\Horford. We are going to get a good shot using one of those 3 sets every time down court. If none of those work, go to Brown on the weakside or as a cutter. They are using the two weakest offensive players man to help on Kyrie and then he either has to force a shot or pass to the open man (hence Smart, Theis, Rozier) and that's what they want.

How do you defend a 3 man strong side triangle with Kyrie\Horford\Tatum?? All 3 can shoot the 3, pass, drive and shoot good FTs. You're cooked

[wayupnorth]

I imagine it is a bit tough to draw up new plays, and run them well, without much practice time.

[chilidawg]

We should welcome the double teams, swing the ball to the open man.  That's one of the reasons for having "stars", that they command double teams and create opportunities for lesser players.

[Spicoli]

Seems to me that Stevens doesn't like drawing up plays for specific players. I could be wrong though. It seems the offense consists almost entirely of dribble handoffs, and swing passes to the open man. There is no feeding of the hot hand in this offense unless it's Kyrie. To me this offense is very bland and uninspiring.

[mctyson]

This has been happening and isn't an issue until late in games when Kyrie insists on having the ball more.  They will be fine if they let the offense run through Horford and Smart.

[Celtics4ever]

He can break those double teams easier than IT and is not as prone to the big body style that teams love to play on IT and will as soon as he comes back.

[nickagneta]

I think the proper way to stop double teams is to simply play your offense, and that offense starts with the Kyrie and Horford two man game then getting east/west ball movement culminating in the open shot, whether that be at the perimeter or going to the basket because the ball movement opened a lane. If doing this puts the ball in the hands of great three point shooters like Kyrie, Horford, Tatum or Brown or open lanes for anyone to drive, that's the best way to stop double teams.

[dreamgreen]

That's what happens when you become a one man team, CBS has to a MUCH better job of making the team play together vs. the terrible cycle he falls into.