Phenom's_Revenge wrote:Yea I am also missing the old Rubio flair that so many fell in love with. I often wonder if it can be recaptured? Is it a Ricky issue? A coaching issue? Did the league figure him out? Probably all of the above. Maybe this team should hire Mike D'Antoni.
Because the NBA scouting report on Rubio says that he can hurt you with his passing but can't make you pay with his jump shot. Try to take his passing lanes away and make him beat you with his shooting.
It's as simple as that
It is definitely part of it. I don't think it's the whole story though. When Ricky gets the ball he is often the last man to cross half court. There isn't enough attack in his game/the offense. I would like to see more tempo. The walking offense is letting Ricky's opponent off the hook too many times.
Yea I am also missing the old Rubio flair that so many fell in love with. I often wonder if it can be recaptured? Is it a Ricky issue? A coaching issue? Did the league figure him out? Probably all of the above. Maybe this team should hire Mike D'Antoni.
Or Lionel Hollins, or anybody. Flip does NOT have anyone playing well. What is Flips grade?
There is a team defense concept being taught in Philly, but not here. I dont think Flip is a good coach.
Great point Papal. As coach, Flip gets a D in my book. Defensively we have been putrid most of the year. Offensively he runs old-fashioned sets that value the long 2 point shot. Developmentally, who has improved throughout the season? Wiggins is the only one and he's come back down a bit since a hot January. All the other players that have improved are the ones he traded away: Mo Williams, Thad Young, and Corey Brewer. That is the most damning evidence of all.
I'm sure I could nit-pick a few of the player grades, but they seem about right.
Ricky certainly seems to play with less flair than in past seasons. But I'm not sure he's been less effective. However, having gone to nearly every home game this season and watched Ricky live, I'll offer several observations on why his playmaking may be less effective this season:
1. Opposing defenses get extremely physical with him, constantly banging and holding him. That seems to be #1 in every team's playbook for defending Ricky and NBA officials allow a level of physical abuse against Ricky they generally don't allow against a Chris Paul, Damion Lillard or Derrick Rose. Not sure why, but that's what I've noticed.
2. Ricky looks like he hasn't fully recovered from his ankle injury. He looked great those first few games before the injury. He hasn't looked as quick or comfortable since his return, especially more recently.
3. He has been highly focused on his shooting to a point where it seems to have distracted him and taken him out of his natural instinctive game.
4. A Flip Saunders offense that shrinks the court for the Wolves in theI half court offense. I'm talking of course about Flip's mid-range jump shooting offense, which limits Ricky's room to operate. Adelman's offense with Love's three-point shooting was more conducive to Ricky's style and strengths.
I agree that Ricky's continued poor shooting has allowed defenses to play off him and shut down both passing and driving lanes. But that's something defenses were doing to him before this season. These other things I memtioned are largely new this season. Even the physical defense against him has ramped up significantly this season.
To get the most out of Ricky and get him back to where he was and even better, we need the following:
1. A summer without Ricky playing international ball, allowing his body to heal as he focuses on his shooting and finishing skills.
2. An offense that focuses far more on three-point shooting and spreads the floor more.
3. Another competent ball-handler at SG in the backcourt with Ricky to take away some of the defensive pressure and physical pounding he takes every minute of every game.
LiP----
To get the most out of Ricky and get him back to where he was and even better, we need the following:
1. A summer without Ricky playing international ball, allowing his body to heal as he focuses on his shooting and finishing skills.
2. An offense that focuses far more on three-point shooting and spreads the floor more.
3. Another competent ball-handler at SG in the backcourt with Ricky to take away some of the defensive pressure and physical pounding he takes every minute of every game.
Great post Lip. Question - do you see Lavine becoming that two guard, or would we be better served with Wiggs playing the 2, Bazz the 3, and Lavine off the bench? I am assuming our current lineup. If we somehow end up with Hezonja, then we have a 2, dont we?
4. A Flip Saunders offense that shrinks the court for the Wolves in theI half court offense. I'm talking of course about Flip's mid-range jump shooting offense, which limits Ricky's room to operate. Adelman's offense with Love's three-point shooting was more conducive to Ricky's style and strengths.
You're right about Flips offense stifling him somewhat. But I don't think Adelman's offense was very suited to him either. Often times Rick's offense took the ball out of Ricky's hands early in the shot clock and he never got it back. It was only his first year that I though Rick allowed him to play the way he should.
4. A Flip Saunders offense that shrinks the court for the Wolves in theI half court offense. I'm talking of course about Flip's mid-range jump shooting offense, which limits Ricky's room to operate. Adelman's offense with Love's three-point shooting was more conducive to Ricky's style and strengths.
You're right about Flips offense stifling him somewhat. But I don't think Adelman's offense was very suited to him either. Often times Rick's offense took the ball out of Ricky's hands early in the shot clock and he never got it back. It was only his first year that I though Rick allowed him to play the way he should.
I agree, Cool. I think Adelman's offense (combined with Love's 3-point shooting) was better for Ricky than Flip's offense without Love. But Adelman's offense was not optimal for Ricky.
papalrep wrote:LiP----
To get the most out of Ricky and get him back to where he was and even better, we need the following:
1. A summer without Ricky playing international ball, allowing his body to heal as he focuses on his shooting and finishing skills.
2. An offense that focuses far more on three-point shooting and spreads the floor more.
3. Another competent ball-handler at SG in the backcourt with Ricky to take away some of the defensive pressure and physical pounding he takes every minute of every game.
Great post Lip. Question - do you see Lavine becoming that two guard, or would we be better served with Wiggs playing the 2, Bazz the 3, and Lavine off the bench? I am assuming our current lineup. If we somehow end up with Hezonja, then we have a 2, dont we?
WE NEED TO SMAKE SHOTS !!!
Good questions, Papal.
Let me address Hezonja first by predicting that there is no way Flip will draft him. Flip does not want head cases. He made thT clear to me when I takled with him last June. He clarified that he's not necessarily looking for choir boys. In fact he said it's important to have some players with a nasty steak or some attitude. That's part of what he liked about Baz. But he doesn't want whiners or quitters or guys who aren't team oriented. I've read enough to convince me that Flip would avoid Hezonja as a major head case risk.
Personally, I think we'd be better off with LaVine starting at SG with Wiggins at the 3 and Baz off the bench for instant offense. Starting both Wiggins and Baz would continue to leave Ricky exposed as the only true ball-handler in our starting lineup. If LaVine doesn't develop then Flip will have to find someone else to start in the 2-slot. Gary Neal's a possibility. He's a better ball-handler and defender than Martin. Or maybe that guy would be Russell or Mudyai from this year's draft, but it would be another year or two for
either of those two.
Yea I am also missing the old Rubio flair that so many fell in love with. I often wonder if it can be recaptured? Is it a Ricky issue? A coaching issue? Did the league figure him out? Probably all of the above. Maybe this team should hire Mike D'Antoni.
Or Lionel Hollins, or anybody. Flip does NOT have anyone playing well. What is Flips grade?
There is a team defense concept being taught in Philly, but not here. I dont think Flip is a good coach.
Great point Papal. As coach, Flip gets a D in my book. Defensively we have been putrid most of the year. Offensively he runs old-fashioned sets that value the long 2 point shot. Developmentally, who has improved throughout the season? Wiggins is the only one and he's come back down a bit since a hot January. All the other players that have improved are the ones he traded away: Mo Williams, Thad Young, and Corey Brewer. That is the most damning evidence of all.
I'm sure I could nit-pick a few of the player grades, but they seem about right.
I have to agree with both of you. I've been defending Flip's coaching this season, but the facts are undeniable. Putrid defense. Lack of improvement from anyone but Wiggins over the course of the season. Improvement and much better play from the 4 players traded away. And yes, the old fashion sets that emphasize the long 2. I've noticed recently how every player on the team consistently passes up threes and takes a dribble or two towards the bucket before shooting. It's clear all our players, even shooters like Martin, are coached to pass up threes in favor of closer shots inside the arc -- shots that Flip continues to over-value. I'll give Flip a C- because of all the bad luck with injuries and the youth of the team.
Since the board has clearly cooled on coach Flip, we should talk about Mike Malone. Anybody else think it's interesting that he is again travelling with the team on this road trip...second time Flip has brought him along. When asked what it means, Flip gives the same answer..."professional courtesy". What does that even mean? Are all the other coaches in the league not being "professionally courteous" to Malone? It's all very strange to me...kind of appears like an extended audition for Malone.
