Post#48 » by doclinkin » Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:17 am
Geniuses. Please read the first post of the thread. This thread is for constructive critique and positive breakdowns, how to fix perceived problems. There are plenty of other threads you can wet your pampers and complain in, and you can feel free to whine in here but only if you offer a solution. This is the thread for _proving_ you are smarter than the coaches and deserve a contract, not for bitching and fussing unproductively. If you have nothing to say beyond 'yeah, he'b stoopid'-- find another thread.
In this case, if you disagree with the idea of challenging Dray to try to guard Big SF's, please offer a reasonable alternative, how this team (with this roster) can best defend that spot.
What's your gameplan for
LeBron.
Carmelo.
MacGrady.
pls thx.
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Personally I agree that Dray is footslow. Improved technique can help somewhat but won't change that fact. I think he'll do best against Centers actually, especially as he gains size and muscle.
That said, Dray frustrated and intimidated LeBron somewhat in the last series. His whine "they're trying to hurt me" followed Dray's fouls, and the elbow strike he lashed out with (that 'retroactively' earned a flagrant foul) was directed at Dray. LeBron has incredible straight-ahead speed, great vision, and a developing jumper, but his lateral speed isn't as quick and he's shown an ability to be intimidated into relying on perimeter shots. Dray and Songaila are the two players on the team who seem to have somewhat of the willingness to give a hard foul without apology. This tendency will take some players out of a game (vs Detroit late-season, Rasheed clearly got chippy with Dray and started yapping, fouling, lost focus).
Cleveland is a big enough crew that I can see the Wiz desiring to match-up with a Big frontline of their own. That means sticking someone on LeBro other than DeSteve. And other than Caron who is overmatched by LeBaby. In this case Dray wouldn't need to stop Lebron, just cut off the pass with long arms and funnel him to the baseline where Brendan etc might be waiting. Frustrate him with superior bulk if not strength. Or at times Zone up and fill the lanes inside the arc with Bigs and seven footers, force jumpers outside (if the perimeter players can cut off the pass to the threepoint shooters). Darius actually did a decent job of pestering his countryman Big Z. A Dray/Haywood/DSong line-up may work in spot duty against some of Cleveland's Super-big (but offensively challenged) front lines.
Otherwise, you're looking at 'defending' LeJames with Jamison, who's neither laterally quick nor willing to foul hard and force a retaliation. There will be times when you will want Dray and not Jamison on the floor. And match-ups or switches dictate that your Big is on LeBung.
Now, if Dominic has cured the habit of jumping on the hint of a shadow of a pump-fake then maybe he's a partial solution. But it's probably too early in his career to expect him to have figured it all out enough to be relied on. Yet.
Tracy MacGrady is a different story. Yes Houston can send out some HUGE frontlines (well Yao plus anybody will be huge, but his jumpshot stretches defenses and lets him play almost as a 4 at times), so it would be useful to be able to have a Big Set to toss out there. But TMac has too much wiggle in his game, and has a reliable shot from waaay outside. Chasing him down with Bigs out to the limit of his range takes Dray way out of position for the rebound. Dray does like to trap deep and chase the ballhandler way out to the timeline, and passing isn't TMac's best strength. But they have other ballhandlers on the team who can find TMac in good rhythm if he's playing off the ball. Pick your poison: Dray, Caron, Jamison, Dominic. I don't trust any of 'em. Which put DeShawn out there on an island trying his best.
As for Carmelo. No: lost cause. Caron defends him better, and the Nuggs are a team who will let you outscore them to win rather than try anything like Defense. You're not gonna stop them, but Caron can help keep pace. You need his points this game. Dray can't keep up.
So. In spot duty I can see the SuperBig line working at times, and some defensive switches may (by design) end up with Dray on LeBro instead of Varejao. If he's challenged early to work on his perimeter D and not be taken by surprise, it can't hurt too badly. But that said, his defensive bad habits and lack of fundamentals don't quite match his instinct and nose for the ball. He has room for improvement even with the realization that he's footslow and will need a wary defender behind him ready on the doubleteam trap or shotblock.
If Dom develops quickly I can see these two working as an effective baseline funnel/trap tandem. Especially with Brendan or (eventually) McGee underneath. But dreams are for the offseason only, few survive the grind of the first month much less the whole EightyTwo.
, that he might take a fresh approach to his rotations this year...perhaps do a little experimenting during pre-season.
One of these day's, we'll have a coach who knows how to use big-men.
