Jan 24, 2022·edited Jan 24, 2022Liked by Eric Apricot
With where Looney was positioned on the clutch rebound+and1, I don't even really think it was lucky. I think if you break down all the places the ball could realistically go given the proximity and softness of Poole's shot, Looney is grabbing the majority of them with his position. If that ball goes to Paschall's side, Looney's probably grabbing it. If it goes to the open, opposite side, Looney is probably fending Ingles off or just using his reach advantage to get that (or perhaps more likely, OPJ is getting that). Unless that ball goes straight to Ingles or is a long rebound, I think the Warriors had it well covered. Poole missed the shot but his great ball fake made it pretty easy for Looney to cover a miss.
And then like you said, a smart play to just go up and get the ball as high as possible before releasing, knowing that the Jazz were too small to get up there.
EDIT: Regarding that transition defense, what they could have done is that Poole could have stayed more with Ingles and trusted that OPJ get O'Neale if he goes to the paint (and give up an O'Neale 3 rather than an Ingles/Bogdanovic 3). It's a bang bang play though and O'Neale is actually shooting a higher percentage from three than those guys, so it's tough to blame Poole for stopping the ball.
For the fast break 3, Wiggins got himself stuck going under the basket for the offensive rebound. Probably he should have just gone back for defense. In a 5 point game with 35 seconds left, you definitely need to prevent transition opportunity first.
Love it! Thank you for the breakdown of the Jordan vs Jordan ankle breaking play and celebration. One other thing we miss about Dray that your video highlights- we need someone to hold Steph accountable on D, preferably a player. As far as I know, Dray is the only one who will take Steph to task for not boxing out or closing out on his man. Maybe Iggy.
With where Looney was positioned on the clutch rebound+and1, I don't even really think it was lucky. I think if you break down all the places the ball could realistically go given the proximity and softness of Poole's shot, Looney is grabbing the majority of them with his position. If that ball goes to Paschall's side, Looney's probably grabbing it. If it goes to the open, opposite side, Looney is probably fending Ingles off or just using his reach advantage to get that (or perhaps more likely, OPJ is getting that). Unless that ball goes straight to Ingles or is a long rebound, I think the Warriors had it well covered. Poole missed the shot but his great ball fake made it pretty easy for Looney to cover a miss.
And then like you said, a smart play to just go up and get the ball as high as possible before releasing, knowing that the Jazz were too small to get up there.
EDIT: Regarding that transition defense, what they could have done is that Poole could have stayed more with Ingles and trusted that OPJ get O'Neale if he goes to the paint (and give up an O'Neale 3 rather than an Ingles/Bogdanovic 3). It's a bang bang play though and O'Neale is actually shooting a higher percentage from three than those guys, so it's tough to blame Poole for stopping the ball.
For the fast break 3, Wiggins got himself stuck going under the basket for the offensive rebound. Probably he should have just gone back for defense. In a 5 point game with 35 seconds left, you definitely need to prevent transition opportunity first.
Love it! Thank you for the breakdown of the Jordan vs Jordan ankle breaking play and celebration. One other thing we miss about Dray that your video highlights- we need someone to hold Steph accountable on D, preferably a player. As far as I know, Dray is the only one who will take Steph to task for not boxing out or closing out on his man. Maybe Iggy.
Per your query, Eric: apparently Gobert was out at the end of the game with a strained calf.
Great stuff as always!
n/m, dupe