My humble observations....sometimes there are little things that you don't notice. During our next game, look for these points and see if they are wrong..these are generalities, so there is always an exception.
1. Out of bounds defense under basket - drives me crazy...teams continue to burn us on under the basket in bounds. Folks don't move and easy baskets are given up because of our front court guys are being lazy. It was not overly evident tonight, but just watch. It happens five to seven times a game at least. The big guys are not fighting through the screens and we give up a layup or wide open three.
2. Much of this is related to play calling, but Paige makes his threes consistently from two spots on the floor - above right elbow area in front of bench, and in left corner. 25% to 30% shooter from 3 elsewhere. Just watch....Berry makes his from 5 to 7 feet on left and right top of key area. Sometimes on out of bounds plays, he shoots from corner. But it's mostly in a small 10 foot area of either side of top of key. Britt, Theo normally towards top of key like Berry. Again, this is related to play calling. But notice Jackson - Jackson is the only guy who takes threes halfway in between elbow and corner - I think this is the big reason he is struggling. He's not getting to the "practice spot". Coaches will know what I mean. You work a play in practice and you always end up in a certain spot on the floor when you shoot. This is where the coach also puts you to practice threes - So in the game you are always shooting from the same spot you practice at. Jackson is not getting there. Only when he gets closer to HIS spot, does he makes the shot. That would be more in the area of where Berry shoots from, or in the deep corner. Jackson is often caught in between because he can't work through the screen or the pass is late because it's often called when Britt or Theo are in game. I rewound game after game an this is the case, just watch. Often he has to wait on the ball pushing him off the spot. Or he gets pushed away from the basket coming around the screen. This is why he is struggling with his 3 ball. When you see him firing from more of the key area, or deep in corner, his percentages will go up. He's simply is not getting the ball in the right spot.
3. Britt's defense - I'm telling you, he does not get enough credit. On the ball defense is what folks notice, but his off ball defense is unbelievable. He can deny folks the ball better than anyone we have and he covers up for a lot of others mistakes by being smart. Just watch him when his guy does not have the ball. He is simply great.
4. Internal screening on offense - watch who is doing all the work for Brice and Hicks in getting them open on ball reversals - it will surprise you. He is not getting the credit he deserves - just watch and you will be like- "my gosh, I never noticed he was doing all that"....and it's over and over and over....when you see Brice slam it and scream, it's because of him.
5. Our wins and even the margin of victory are directly related to one major stat....and one only...points in the paint. This means we are doing three things good - we are getting to ball inside, we are rebounding for second chance points, and we are having fast break points. Nothing so far this year is a better indicator of a win. When teams don't allow us to run, and rebound, it keeps the game in more of a half court set with one and done shots. Nothing hurts us more. That's why it is big for us if Someone besides Paige can hit threes. We are unbeatable in games where we shoot 45% or more from three in an acceptable level of attempts. We simply won't lose if Jackson, Berry, Britt, and Theo can up their game from three.
1. Out of bounds defense under basket - drives me crazy...teams continue to burn us on under the basket in bounds. Folks don't move and easy baskets are given up because of our front court guys are being lazy. It was not overly evident tonight, but just watch. It happens five to seven times a game at least. The big guys are not fighting through the screens and we give up a layup or wide open three.
2. Much of this is related to play calling, but Paige makes his threes consistently from two spots on the floor - above right elbow area in front of bench, and in left corner. 25% to 30% shooter from 3 elsewhere. Just watch....Berry makes his from 5 to 7 feet on left and right top of key area. Sometimes on out of bounds plays, he shoots from corner. But it's mostly in a small 10 foot area of either side of top of key. Britt, Theo normally towards top of key like Berry. Again, this is related to play calling. But notice Jackson - Jackson is the only guy who takes threes halfway in between elbow and corner - I think this is the big reason he is struggling. He's not getting to the "practice spot". Coaches will know what I mean. You work a play in practice and you always end up in a certain spot on the floor when you shoot. This is where the coach also puts you to practice threes - So in the game you are always shooting from the same spot you practice at. Jackson is not getting there. Only when he gets closer to HIS spot, does he makes the shot. That would be more in the area of where Berry shoots from, or in the deep corner. Jackson is often caught in between because he can't work through the screen or the pass is late because it's often called when Britt or Theo are in game. I rewound game after game an this is the case, just watch. Often he has to wait on the ball pushing him off the spot. Or he gets pushed away from the basket coming around the screen. This is why he is struggling with his 3 ball. When you see him firing from more of the key area, or deep in corner, his percentages will go up. He's simply is not getting the ball in the right spot.
3. Britt's defense - I'm telling you, he does not get enough credit. On the ball defense is what folks notice, but his off ball defense is unbelievable. He can deny folks the ball better than anyone we have and he covers up for a lot of others mistakes by being smart. Just watch him when his guy does not have the ball. He is simply great.
4. Internal screening on offense - watch who is doing all the work for Brice and Hicks in getting them open on ball reversals - it will surprise you. He is not getting the credit he deserves - just watch and you will be like- "my gosh, I never noticed he was doing all that"....and it's over and over and over....when you see Brice slam it and scream, it's because of him.
5. Our wins and even the margin of victory are directly related to one major stat....and one only...points in the paint. This means we are doing three things good - we are getting to ball inside, we are rebounding for second chance points, and we are having fast break points. Nothing so far this year is a better indicator of a win. When teams don't allow us to run, and rebound, it keeps the game in more of a half court set with one and done shots. Nothing hurts us more. That's why it is big for us if Someone besides Paige can hit threes. We are unbeatable in games where we shoot 45% or more from three in an acceptable level of attempts. We simply won't lose if Jackson, Berry, Britt, and Theo can up their game from three.
