Scouting fun

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 1, 2007 11:46 PM CDT

I always enjoy stuff like this, especially since I admittedly know little at this level of depth about game strategy:

But now that Detroit has a best-of-seven date with the Chicago Bulls, let's take a look at how one Eastern Conference scout would defend the Pistons' popular "horns" set.

"By horns, we mean a post player lining up at each elbow, usually with two shooters spacing the floor at each wing or corner and a one-guard front," the scout said. "There are several different options a team like the Pistons can run off of this because the wings can shoot and both post players are good passers as well as shooters.

"The key to defending horns, which generally begins with a brush screen by one post for the point guard, is for the defender guarding the screener to maintain contact with the screener while showing to slow down the ballhandler. If the defensive post player loses contact, the screener can slip to the basket; because of the alignment, the backside is empty."

That means there's nobody to rotate over and deal with the post player slipping the screen.

"Some teams attempt to have the opposite post defender drop to the middle on the slip screen," the scout said, "but that leaves you vulnerable for a pass to either (Chris) Webber or (Rasheed) Wallace who can eat up that shot."

Unsure of why the Pistons don't get the 'jump-shooting team' label that the Bulls are always pegged with :-)

For more reading up on the Pistons, check out this post at DetroitBadBoys going over 'what they learned' after the Pistons' first round series with the Magic.

And the NBA announced that the series starts Saturday. But, uh, no time yet. It's on TNT so you'd think it'd be a prime-time game, but they've had early-afternoon games in these playoffs as well.

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Detroit gets pegged with it too..

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 1, 2007 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

badger!

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 1, 2007 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Or why Dallas never got pegged with it.

71% of their shots were jump shots the highest % in the league. The Bulls were at 68% and the Pistons at 67%. Courtesy of 82games. I was looking at the jump shooting % for various teams because of the whole "jump shooting team" rap. The Bulls are pretty much in line with the average.

by Scotter on May 1, 2007 5:22 PM CDT reply actions

Clicking around

I see there was a Bulls version of that "how to defend" feature:

It's Gordon and Hinrich and Deng ... oh my.

While Ben, Kirk and Luol may not reach Springfield as a reward for their individual accomplishments, the Bulls' perimeter trio can make it tricky for foes to reach the NBA Finals.

In addition to specific sets run for Gordon and Deng, the biggest challenge defined by the Chicago offense is the drive-and-kick option.

"All three of those guys can shoot along with (Andres) Nocioni," said one Eastern Conference scout, "and the guards can take guys off the dribble, making gap help a risky proposition."

Explanation: gap help refers to a defender sliding over to help a teammate who's about to be beaten off the dribble by Gordon, for example. If the help defender is guarding Deng, an open jumper (that figures to go in) could be the result.

"Here's my recommendation," said the scout. "Almost never leave Gordon or Hinrich or Deng to help on the drive. With (Ben) Wallace and (Ty) Thomas on the floor, the key is making the guys guarding them aware of penetration. That means your bigs must be the primary helpers because Wallace and Thomas, especially Wallace, aren't threats to make that mid-range shot. P.J. (Brown) can make it, but his release is a bit slow and he's not looking at threes like the perimeter guys."

How about a caveat?

"Well, if you leave Wallace or Thomas to stop dribble penetration and nobody rotates to them, either one will dive to the rim for a pass and dunk. I'd rather live with that risk, though, than watch Gordon, Hinrich and Deng shoot open threes."

by kos on May 1, 2007 5:50 PM CDT reply actions

w-w-w-w-wallace

once again, you couldn't even have that 'watch out for dunks' caveat if Chandler was there to fumble passes.

and a key will be if Gordon/Hinrich can get by the first man, as Billups and Hamilton are far better defenders than the corpses Miami had.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 1, 2007 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

that's a good point

It is nice this year to have Wallace's hands (not to mention that Chandler sprained his ankle badly last year) but I'd like to quibble with the above quoted scouting report (although I'm sure this report left something out):

Deng doesn't shoot threes (as opposed to what the scout says in the last line). But is automatic from 20 feet. He can also reliably hit thoughs shots on pull ups on the fast break.
Gordon doesn't depend on the offense to get shots. As you've pointed out, he is superior at creating his own shots. It will be interesting to see if the Pistons put Billups on him, and if Billups can stop him. That's the best way to disrupt the Bulls. I really think that Gordon's dissappearing act in the Heat Bulls series losses last year was the difference.
The scouting report doesn't mention how critical getting to the line is, especially for Gordon.
He's underrating Tyrus' game, by essentially equating him with Ben Wallace. He can blow past someone for the drive at any time. While TT doesn't have a reliable jumpshot, he can still create his own shots. The main problem with T is turnovers and being a so so passer.
He is also underrating Nocioni's ability to drive. Against a slower defender, like Walker or Webber, he does fine.

But I consider it progress that they are compared to Lions, Tigers, and Bears. ; )

by GWKD on May 2, 2007 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

and deng

doesnt shoot the three. i think its a religious thing.

by Sambossanova on May 1, 2007 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions

The chi

doesn't flow that far from the basket I think.

LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by cubbybear on May 2, 2007 3:27 AM CDT up reply actions

post has been moved to the front page

with a couple extra links. -management.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 1, 2007 11:47 PM CDT reply actions

Thomas

I think they will/should definitely run plays designed to get Thomas alleyoop jams so that the defense inside feels the need to stay at home rather than help.

Shouldn't the pistons be a little worried about their bench? If this is a long series, you're talking about some serious minutes for the starters. They're not old, but aside from Prince they're not that young either.

by jai on May 2, 2007 12:59 AM CDT reply actions

Pistons' starters

The age continues to come up...

Rasheed - 32
Billups - 30
Rip - 29
CWebb - 34
Prince - 27

Bench:
Dyess - 32
Delfino - 24
Murray - 27
Davis - 38

I don't think, outside of Webber, Detroit is worried about their age. They could use some more youth coming off the bench, but that hasn't hurt them.

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 2, 2007 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

I had to laugh

at the thuggery committed against Hamilton. I guess he thinks it's ok to give but not receive. Kirk has some commments on Hamilton in the Tribune.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-070501bulls,1,7822069.story?coll= cs-home-headlines

My team has no "super star". It has players who have desire, determination and heart making them a "super team". GO BULLS!!!

by sue369 on May 2, 2007 9:20 AM CDT reply actions

wow

boy I tell you, that really says a lot about the physical play of Hamilton right there coming from the king of grabbing and reaching and arm waving. Hinrich says a lot, but all the talk about Miami he sure didn't back any of it up ;)

by Boney @ Blog a Bull on May 2, 2007 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Kirk can pull wrists out from their sockets!

(according to Pat Riley)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 2, 2007 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Update!

Looks like SB Nation was right, voting for Brandon Roy. He got 127 of the 128 votes, winning Rookie of the Year

127 votes? Jeeze. I wonder if anyone has ever been unanimous

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 2, 2007 1:37 PM CDT reply actions

There has been and here is a link about the guy

who did not vote for him. http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/04/roy_will_not_be_unanimous_roy.html "The only unanimous Rookie of the Year winners were Houston's Ralph Sampson (1983-84) and San Antonio's David Robinson (1989-90)." Found it on ESPN Rumor central insider

by SRQman on May 2, 2007 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah, thanks

"They beat us. They beat us, period." - Pat Riley

by NittanyBull on May 2, 2007 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

How shocking . . .

That the guy who didn't vote for Roy ends up being from Toronto. I like Bargnani, and wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being a better player than Roy five years from now, but Roy was clearly the Rookie of the Year.

That's not quite as bad as the dude from New Orleans that gave PJ Brown a 5th place vote for MVP last season, though. I bet even PJ had to be laughing his ass off when he heard about that.

by Big D on May 2, 2007 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Chris Paul missed by one vote

because an SLC Fascist voted for Deron Williams. In retrospect it wasn't that bad of a vote, but still.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on May 2, 2007 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Ben Gordon's Blog

a new read up. thanks ben!

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/gordon_blog0607.html

DEE-TROIT, PREPARE FOR THE STAMPEDE! IT'S THE BULLS, BEWARE OF THE NEW BREED!!!

by hongydraw on May 2, 2007 9:47 PM CDT reply actions

The craziest thing....

Shawn Marion was fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, but was somehow left off both All-Defensive teams. He made that slight look downright silly Wednesday, posting three steals and two blocks along with 26 points and 10 boards as Phoenix beat the Lakers, 119-110.

Talk about ricockulous!!!!

by tyger1147 on May 3, 2007 7:57 AM CDT reply actions

wow

I was stunned when i heard that. He seemed shocked after the game when someone asked him about.

by SRQman on May 3, 2007 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions

More info on Bulls game times...

I am putting this here because I don't know where else to put it. From the Sun-Times:

"The Bulls and Pistons will begin at 3:30 p.m. if both the Dallas-Golden State and Utah-Houston first-round series go to Game 7s.

If only one of those series extends to a Game 7, the Bulls and Pistons will begin at 6 p.m. And if neither of them goes the limit, the Bulls and Pistons will begin at 7 p.m."

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/368670,CST-SPT-bullnt03.article

by 1958ChiTown on May 3, 2007 2:27 PM CDT reply actions

Out of the two Eastern conference semifinal series

Bulls/Pistons has to be the marquee matchup. They have to be at night.

by TkGoUWGB on May 3, 2007 9:03 PM CDT reply actions

Man, this blows.

Baron Davis hurt his hamstring and he is noticeably hobbled.

What a stroke of luck for Dallas.

I really wanted to see Baron at his best in this potentially historic game. He was the ringmaster of Golden State's mad, frenetic circus of roundball.

by 1958ChiTown on May 3, 2007 10:28 PM CDT reply actions

Doesn't seem to matter much right now.

This is seriously fun - it's not like I have anything against the Mavs, but how can you not root for Golden State? Even though it's going to blow my whole fantasy bracket.

"We're in trouble if we lose at home. If we lose at home, you come back and talk to me and I'll tell you: 'You know what? We're in trouble.'" Alonzo Mourning

by wjb1492 on May 3, 2007 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions