Aloha ,
I don’t have much to say about last night. We lost the game in the 3rd quarter when we couldn’t hit a shot. But one thing stuck out to me. Rui had 17 in the first half on 8-10 shooting. He scored 29 in the last Kings game. It’s obvious they had a matchup issue with Rui. So why did Rui get his first shot of the 2nd half at the 6 minute mark of the 4th quarter? Ham has done this before. I don’t understand a coach going away from a hot hand. Makes no sense to me. We didn’t score a basket for 7 minutes in the 3rd. Our big 3 scorers couldn’t shoot. Why not look to run things for Rui? I can’t figure it out.
“We didn’t score a basket for 7 minutes in the 3rd. ”
This is where we lost the game. Somebody needs to let Ham read this article. This article is Coaching 101.
Thanks. Michael.
Me either, nothing but angst and BS. The “why”, to me, is simple: he wanted to juice the trio of AD, LBJ, and DLo. It didn’t work. AD had his hands full and never got lift off against DA, LeBron looked like he wanted to start a new hobby called “I’ll Just Watch You Shoot and ohhhhh you made it…” and DLO didn’t have the hot hand.
What was also irksome was the lack of anything resembling fire from anyone the 2nd half. Also not sure why Jax barely played when he could have paired with AD for a very different look defensively. Could have put AD in Barnes, for example.
A few things…
I would imagine there aren’t a whole lotta plays in the book for your #5 scoring option for just about every team. Rui gets his in the flow of the offense.
Also, current success has been heavily based on D.Russell taking alotta shots and AR’s improvement. AR was hot early on as well. D.Ham won’t switch up a formula that quickly; it just isn’t the way he does things.
And finally…take a look at our offensive possessions to open the 3rd.
Lebron turnover #1.
Lebron 3pt brick.
AR 25ft brick.
Rui charge turnover #2.
D.Russell turnover #3.
AD free throws.
LeBron turnover #4.
AD missed bunny.
D.Russell turnover #5.
D.Russell 22ft brick.
AD free throw.
5 empty trips due to turnovers, 3 long range bricks, coupla trips resulting in AD free throws, and a missed layup. Hard to get anything going like that…especially your #5 option.
That was the game right there. Thanks @ MongoSlade.