Iztok, maybe for the off-season, in a 7 game PO series, what role does analytics play in decision making, esp with in game adjustments? Is this down to instinct/experience or are analytics still playing a heavy role in a very small sample size?
I retract my earlier comments about the Lakers having the better closers. In a normal series, maybe, but not with the physicality the referees are allowing in the playoffs. (Did you see the Pistons-Knicks game yesterday? A 1990 throwback rock fight.). Other observations: AR is not playing as well as he did in the regular season. He’s got to average 25+ for them to win. Agree that JJ’s rotation is not sustainable. He’s going to have to play crazy to have any chance for the lakers to compete. Knecht, Vincent, and Goodwin all need to play 10-15 minutes to give the core five time to rest. Hayes needs to play smarter, and stay on the floor. They just need his size, any size. Finally, JJ’s rookie coach experience is showing. That’s all fine, especially when you add in Luka’s stomach flu which has still got to be affecting him ( still dehydrated, weak legs, no wind). They need to play with a big lead and play with greater physicality, but you can’t fake size - and the wolves have too much of it. Lakers priority has to a lob threat, shot blocker in the offseason. And Luka needs to come into camp about 15 pounds lighter and in the best cardio in his life if he wants to make a deep run in the insanity that is the Western Conference.
I didn't say or am saying now it was wrong. But slaps like that happen 100x times in each game, and watching live, in-studio first 10x times i was sure there was no foul. They had to look hard to find an angle to show that. Again, in a vacuum the call I guess is correct, but what happened on the McDaniels trip and how the whole game was called, that thing happens plenty of times with the physicality allowed.
I agree, the initial reviews were inconclusive, thank god the hawk-eye cam was available. regarding the trip I will not try to reason or oppose your view. I think McDaniels defended him the same way as the whole time, but that time Luka stepped on his foot. Was that intentional, or foul-worthy I guess...but the way these playoffs are called the refs probably can justify it. Unfortunatelly JJ blew his opportunity for a challenge in the 1Q (totally misused it imho), Finch kept his one and it helped to decide the game.
The problem with the allowing jiujitsu basketball in the playoffs is that you can’t do it consistently. You have to call somethings and then we’re left asking why you didn’t call the other fifty fouls. 🤷🏼♂️ The Knicks game was the same thing - Hardaway was clearly fouled on a three pointer at the buzzer, but they let it go. Replay forces them to call fouls they don’t call in the rest of the game. It is whatever it is. If this was Phil Jackson coaching he would’ve had a meltdown in the postgame and primed the referees for the next game. Play the game, play the refs.
I think that in a PO series, games 3 and 4 heavily depend on the quality of the coach. In these two games, Redick simply wasn’t mature enough yet and he's been outcoached by Finch.
Doncic’s defense was also missing. He played with much less energy than in game 2. LeBron is 40 years old. At his age, he can’t be the main pillar of defense.
Iztok, maybe for the off-season, in a 7 game PO series, what role does analytics play in decision making, esp with in game adjustments? Is this down to instinct/experience or are analytics still playing a heavy role in a very small sample size?
Great question, thanks!
Taking nothing away from Chris Finch, Ant, or Randall. Wolves are a great team.
I retract my earlier comments about the Lakers having the better closers. In a normal series, maybe, but not with the physicality the referees are allowing in the playoffs. (Did you see the Pistons-Knicks game yesterday? A 1990 throwback rock fight.). Other observations: AR is not playing as well as he did in the regular season. He’s got to average 25+ for them to win. Agree that JJ’s rotation is not sustainable. He’s going to have to play crazy to have any chance for the lakers to compete. Knecht, Vincent, and Goodwin all need to play 10-15 minutes to give the core five time to rest. Hayes needs to play smarter, and stay on the floor. They just need his size, any size. Finally, JJ’s rookie coach experience is showing. That’s all fine, especially when you add in Luka’s stomach flu which has still got to be affecting him ( still dehydrated, weak legs, no wind). They need to play with a big lead and play with greater physicality, but you can’t fake size - and the wolves have too much of it. Lakers priority has to a lob threat, shot blocker in the offseason. And Luka needs to come into camp about 15 pounds lighter and in the best cardio in his life if he wants to make a deep run in the insanity that is the Western Conference.
Ps. I think JJ looks in the mirror and they fight for Game 5.
Oh, yeah...I think this one bothers him (and others) as hell
controversial call on Lebron James where he slaps ANT on the wrist...i respect your knowledge of the game, but this is just unbelievable homerism.
I didn't say or am saying now it was wrong. But slaps like that happen 100x times in each game, and watching live, in-studio first 10x times i was sure there was no foul. They had to look hard to find an angle to show that. Again, in a vacuum the call I guess is correct, but what happened on the McDaniels trip and how the whole game was called, that thing happens plenty of times with the physicality allowed.
I agree, the initial reviews were inconclusive, thank god the hawk-eye cam was available. regarding the trip I will not try to reason or oppose your view. I think McDaniels defended him the same way as the whole time, but that time Luka stepped on his foot. Was that intentional, or foul-worthy I guess...but the way these playoffs are called the refs probably can justify it. Unfortunatelly JJ blew his opportunity for a challenge in the 1Q (totally misused it imho), Finch kept his one and it helped to decide the game.
steped on his foot. lol you could also step into my fist you know ;)
Ohh digital threats. How cute. 🤦🏻♂️
The problem with the allowing jiujitsu basketball in the playoffs is that you can’t do it consistently. You have to call somethings and then we’re left asking why you didn’t call the other fifty fouls. 🤷🏼♂️ The Knicks game was the same thing - Hardaway was clearly fouled on a three pointer at the buzzer, but they let it go. Replay forces them to call fouls they don’t call in the rest of the game. It is whatever it is. If this was Phil Jackson coaching he would’ve had a meltdown in the postgame and primed the referees for the next game. Play the game, play the refs.
I think that in a PO series, games 3 and 4 heavily depend on the quality of the coach. In these two games, Redick simply wasn’t mature enough yet and he's been outcoached by Finch.
Doncic’s defense was also missing. He played with much less energy than in game 2. LeBron is 40 years old. At his age, he can’t be the main pillar of defense.
Stomach flu is the worst. Luka probably should not even have been playing.