Sorry, I guess I didn't make my point super clear. The triangle offense makes bank, essentially, by creating space for jump shooters on the weakside and exploiting the time differential between a person moving, and the ball moving i.e. a pass is quicker than a close out. The 'Triangle' is just a reference the to the shape of the passing lines created by movement. Pre 2001, the triangle was nigh unstoppable because of the zone laws. Space could be created just by overloading one side and then passing through it. Combined with the personnel he had, Jackson had a brilliant system. Post introduction of the new zone rulings (allowing them), the weakside could no longer be exploited as easily in a lot of cases. The system was modified by Jackson (to great effect) then. But lest we forget that the Lakers were hardley bereft of talent during this time. But regardless, it relies heavily on athleticism and good shooters to work. Interestingly, it doesn't require a PG to run smoothly, but all players must be crisp passers. The problem for the Lakers is two fold. Firstly, they don't have the requisite athleticism outside of Dwight (who is clearly waning) and Kobe. Pau/MWP are not super fast off the ball and neither has a great jumpshot. Secondly, outside of Nash and Kobe, they don't have great mid/long range jumpshooters. This essentially kills the system. D'Antoni has failed here aswell by playing Pau out of position. D'Antoni was brought in because of Nash. The Lakers acquired a ball dominant PG who thrives on PnR situations. D'Antoni lives and dies by PnR offense. It was the logical choice given that acquisition. If you get Jackson, Kobe thrives along with Jamison and maybe Howard, but Pau suffers and Nash serves no purpose. If you get D'Antoni, the idea is that you end up running PnR with Howard, with Pau on the opposite block doing his thing (in my mind). The problem is that Dwight has lost his step, so the ball is getting held up 20ft from the hoop. So Pau got moved out 5 feet to try and keep the defense honest (and out of the paint). Unfortunately, his jumpshooting isn't that great, he is a post player. So they have lost Pau's passing and ability to draw double teams on the post, and are not able to exploit Nash's sweet basketball IQ. Kobe ends up taking to many shots and getting lazy on the defensive end.
Rondo is out with a torn ACL and of course will be out indefinitely. Feel bad for the kid. Celtics hopes of making the playoffs really in danger now. Pistons increase only if they get back on task and beat out the sixers and stay ahead of the suddenly surging Cavs and Wizards
LaMarcus Aldridge scores 5 points in the last 5 seconds of the game against Dallas to win the game for Portland. Great stuff. LaMarcus Aldridge scores 5 points in last 5 seconds, hits game-winner as Blazers beat Mavs (VIDEO) | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports
Spurs have quietly won nine straight and have the best record in the league.. Tim Duncan has sat out the last four games and five of the last six. Maybe they don't need him and we can swap Stuckey, CVand Max for him?? After all Joe is in a dealing mood..
This was very impressive: Joe Johnson’s crossover shakes Chris Bosh into setting screen on Udonis Haslem (VIDEO) | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports
Houston gave up 109 points tonight... and won by 31! 23 three point makes on 57.5% shooting from deep was rather helpful. Lin made 5 of them with 28 points, dished out 9 assists to 2 tov, and was +37 on the night. They got 140 points and Harden didn't even go off (18 points). Bogut was back and he and Lee both had strong, efficient games en route to the massacre as Golden State's starting backcourt was shut down. Warriors at Rockets - February 5, 2013 - Game Preview, Play by Play, Scores and Recap on NBA.com
Also, Rubio getting his game back. In yesterday's close loss, 15 points (on 9 attempts) and 14 assists... despite 2 MIN starters with 1 point and 2 points!?? Seems impossible.
Houston tied the NBA record for the most 3-pointers. They were trying to break the record, but Marc Jackson had his players intentionally foul the Rockets every time they touched the ball before they could shoot a three. This is complete hogwash, in my book....intentionally fouling when you are down by 30 with 2 minutes left. Very bogus, loser-move by Jackson.
What was the team that was intentionally fouling to break the Pistons' sub-70 opponent scoring streak?
Golden State went back to bad boys basketball.......good for them. Bout time that team wasn't so soft.
One side was trying to break a record which seemed reachable and the other one was trying everything to stop it, cool, they were just doing their job.
