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Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

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  • #16
    Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

    define "great".

    Regards,

    Mourning
    2012 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

    2011 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

    2006 PD ABA Fantasy League runner up, sports.ws

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

      Originally posted by Hicks
      So if JO's not one of the greats, what then?
      ... a continuing process of maturity.

      -------

      One of Dirty Harry's famous lines was "A man's got to know his limitations."

      I firmly believe that. And, perhaps we should re-word it to "A coach has got to know his players' limitations."

      One of the problems that I've had with JO's play has been his shot selection. I posted during the playoffs about his complete lack of success in shooting the fadeaway-turnaround jumper outside 6-8 feet. When he shot it from about 12 feet or more, his accuracy was atrocious.

      BUT, I don't know whether it was by JO's decision that the shot was taken, or by offensive design. All I know is that when JO gets face up jumpers up to 18 feet, he shoots very accurately.

      However, I will admit that his shot may have been affected by his shoulder injury. But when a player shoots right at 25% on his turnaround and over 60% facing the basket (on the 3 games we actually kept track of), then I think both the player and the coach should take notice.

      So, since Rick could be to blame, JO gets a reprieve from me on that one. [But I sure hope his shot mix is changed next year accordingly.]

      Jermaine doesn't get a reprieve from me regarding rebounding. No one can throw his RB total in my face for any one particular game, even if Jermaine happened to have hauled in 20, when JO also refuses to block out, resulting in extra rebounds and easy put backs for our opponents.

      It's obvious that Jermaine has put in some very hard work to improve his FT percentage. But that one resulted in a benefit to himself... more points. Now I'd like to see him do something for the team... learn to block out.

      If these two things (shot selection and blocking out) about Jermaine's game were changed, I'd be one hell of a happy camper. Matter of fact, I'd even drink the Kool-aid.

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

        Originally posted by Mourning
        define "great".

        Regards,

        Mourning
        That's like saying, define "beauty." It means different things to different people. It's difficult to articulate, but you know it when you see it.

        Comment


        • #19
          Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

          Originally posted by Harmonica
          I honestly don't know. I imagine that some doubt about him has creeped into DW & LB's minds and they'll do what's needed if it comes to that.
          Jermaine should not be traded simply because he's not "one of the greats". He might be overpaid, but then so are others like him.

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

            Yeah I guess then Kevin Garnet is not great either

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

              Originally posted by beast23
              It's obvious that Jermaine has put in some very hard work to improve his FT percentage. But that one resulted in a benefit to himself... more points. Now I'd like to see him do something for the team... learn to block out.
              I'm not sure if I completely by into, for today's game, but I still find this very interesting. My dad has been reading a testimonial by Wooden and, obviously, he ties his religion into basketball so it's also explains his coaching philosophies. Anyways, in it he tells how that early in his coaching career he used to teach boxing out, but always seemed to be outrebounded, he then says that he started teaching his players not to box out but swarm the ball. He then states that they started outrebounding their opponents night-in and night-out.

              I just thought was very interesting, coming from a coach who says his first practice every year was devoted on teaching his players how to put on their socks.
              Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.” ― Ricky Gervais.

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                Originally posted by Harmonica
                That's like saying, define "beauty." It means different things to different people. It's difficult to articulate, but you know it when you see it.
                Great, like in the history of the NBA, or of the current league?

                If you're saying that he isn't even considered a great player in today's league, then you're crazier than I thought.

                This is a player that finished 3rd in mvp voting just over a year ago. There's very, very few players that are above him. He's definately in the top 20 best players, and I consider all them great players by today's standards.
                Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.” ― Ricky Gervais.

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                  Originally posted by Since86
                  Great, like in the history of the NBA, or of the current league?

                  If you're saying that he isn't even considered a great player in today's league, then you're crazier than I thought.

                  This is a player that finished 3rd in mvp voting just over a year ago. There's very, very few players that are above him. He's definately in the top 20 best players, and I consider all them great players by today's standards.
                  Reading his posts the past few weeks I just belive he likes to say crazy stuff just to start arguments with people.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                    Originally posted by Harmonica
                    That's like saying, define "beauty." It means different things to different people. It's difficult to articulate, but you know it when you see it.
                    Ah, ok, but then it comes down to perception, right? I mean "knowing it when your seeying it" can be quite subjective/opiniated.

                    Regards,

                    Mourning
                    2012 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

                    2011 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

                    2006 PD ABA Fantasy League runner up, sports.ws

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                      Originally posted by Mourning
                      Ah, ok, but then it comes down to perception, right? I mean "knowing it when your seeying it" can be quite subjective/opiniated.

                      Regards,

                      Mourning
                      Absolutely. I mean, I think there are players we can all agree are great, and others where it's open for debate.

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                        I think the argument that JO was banged up against the Pissed-On's both of the last two years is true, but when is he NOT going to be banged up after a preseason, 82 games in the regular season, and either a first-round, or first- and second-round series already played?

                        I have serious doubts that this team can survive long enough to make a title run....It seems we have a team made of glass sometimes.

                        Also, you don't cut slack to someone with a max contract....You just don't do it.



                        RESIDENT COUNTING THREAD PHILOSOPHIZER

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                        • #27
                          Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                          Ehmm.... excuse me, we aren't talking about beying just a tiny bit injured here, we are talking about someone who came back early from a pretty serious injury. I don't think we should be pissing on that, sorry, just my opinion, max. contract or not. Actually I think because he has a max. contract we as a team might be MORE cautious ... we don't want to get something structurally "broke" in his body, do we?

                          Regards,

                          Mourning
                          2012 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

                          2011 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws

                          2006 PD ABA Fantasy League runner up, sports.ws

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                            if u do not have 5 players on the court that are all offensive threats, the pistons will expose u....they are all outstanding defenders....they have no individual weakness on defense....which really makes it quite simple then.....if u have an offensive weakness, they will be able to offer help at all times by shading away from that offensive weakness...

                            the spurs have offensive weaknesses in the front court....therefore its easy for them to have one of the other guys to help on tim...or jo...or whoever...

                            only when u have 5 guys that can score, remember game 4 of the ECFs, will they be in a bit of trouble....then they cant help....because if they do u can then make them pay....and thats what the pacers did in game 4 of the ECF and what every team that beats them does....

                            you have 5 guys who can score....and if u have enuff solid defenders to contain the 4 good offensive players they have....u will win....

                            and yes...i would tell u that if the pacers had brad miller they would present more problems for the pistons than u could ever imagine....and if david harrison becomes that offensive threat that he can be, they will again have huge problems....they would rarely beat the pacers....

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                              My problems with JO do not rest on the series with the Pistons. My problem with JO lies with the fact he is a max $ player and IMHO this season exposed him as having lots of work to do. He is not a player making the team better. In fact, many times the team was better without him.

                              He could get there but there is plenty of room for doubt. We need to quit talking about JO being close (or better) than Duncan. He's far from it.

                              Actually, Beast23's thoughts were similar to what I'd say in a lot of ways.

                              --

                              If the blackhole offense is not JO's idea and JO is performing how Rick wants him to then I'll be glad to give Carlisle a ride to the airport. But I have a hard time seeing Carlisle as that stupid... I think we have a player who is more focused on his own scoring and 'meism' over the good of the team. He may usually talk a good game but once he hits the court he plays a different way.

                              DK mentioned wanting to see JO pass out of the doubleteams better but then added the Pacers didn't have anyone hitting their shots anyway so the point becomes moot... I have to disagree. IMHO it would balance the Pacers offensive attack better AND unbalance the opposing defense. Therefore, we should get better looks at outside shots in the flow of the game.

                              And it keeps the defense honest. That is not something they (defenses) needed to worry about much last season. Just play physical with JO and he'd quickly forget the team game and revert to a player whose idea of a good game is how many he scores and his idea of defense is collecting blocked shots. All the while he'd argue with refs and forget about the game at hand. No blocking out. Whining. Forced shots. ...etc...

                              Heretical statement ahead:
                              IOW, JO can be more poser than player.

                              -Bball
                              Nuntius was right for a while. I was wrong for a while. But ultimately I was right and Frank Vogel has been let go.

                              ------

                              "A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork."

                              -John Wooden

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Can we cut J.O some slack after watching Duncan struggle

                                Originally posted by Bball
                                My problems with JO do not rest on the series with the Pistons. My problem with JO lies with the fact he is a max $ player and IMHO this season exposed him as having lots of work to do. He is not a player making the team better. In fact, many times the team was better without him.

                                He could get there but there is plenty of room for doubt. We need to quit talking about JO being close (or better) than Duncan. He's far from it.

                                Actually, Beast23's thoughts were similar to what I'd say in a lot of ways.

                                --

                                If the blackhole offense is not JO's idea and JO is performing how Rick wants him to then I'll be glad to give Carlisle a ride to the airport. But I have a hard time seeing Carlisle as that stupid... I think we have a player who is more focused on his own scoring and 'meism' over the good of the team. He may usually talk a good game but once he hits the court he plays a different way.

                                DK mentioned wanting to see JO pass out of the doubleteams better but then added the Pacers didn't have anyone hitting their shots anyway so the point becomes moot... I have to disagree. IMHO it would balance the Pacers offensive attack better AND unbalance the opposing defense. Therefore, we should get better looks at outside shots in the flow of the game.

                                And it keeps the defense honest. That is not something they (defenses) needed to worry about much last season. Just play physical with JO and he'd quickly forget the team game and revert to a player whose idea of a good game is how many he scores and his idea of defense is collecting blocked shots. All the while he'd argue with refs and forget about the game at hand. No blocking out. Whining. Forced shots. ...etc...

                                Heretical statement ahead:
                                IOW, JO can be more poser than player.

                                -Bball
                                i dunno....thru the course of last season and the playoffs when JO was playing we seemed to get a LOT of good looks...i dont think the quality of shots was the problem...it was the inability to hit those shots that was the real problem.....

                                teams will not change their strategy of doubling the post player because other players are getting good looks....some teams wont even change that strategy when u do hit some of those open looks-they prefer to pick their poison and see jo as a more serious threat than open looks...

                                the key is the same in either case....u must be able to make a team pay....and u really only do that if u consistently hit open shots....till we do that jo as well as the offense will never be as productive as it could be....

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