JJ needs to take 25+ shots vs Orlando

[TheNorthCydeRises]

When I watched that game last night, it became apparent to me that the only way this team is going to beat the Magic, is if our star players look to completely take over the game offensively. And if that means that JJ and Crawford have to jack up 45 - 50 shots combined to lead us to victory, then so be it.

As much as people hate the ISO offense that we run here with JJ, it was effective last night in getting people quality shots. JJ not only got his points, he got guys a ton of open looks on the perimeter. JJ finished with 7 assists, but he could've easily had 12 - 13 assists, had people made just half of the open jumpshots that they missed last night. 4 of JJ's assists were 3-pointers. JJ played exactly the way people want him to play around here, and we still got handled because his teammates missed open shot after open shot.

I see the thread about Marvin not being aggressive after that first quarter. Well . . . that was because he was he was 2 - 8 FG in that first quarter. With the limited touches that he gets in the first place, he really has to be 4 - 8 FG to justify him continuing to try to score. He simply missed too many shots to justify keep feeding him the ball.

The Hawks were 3 - 14 FG with shots within 10 feet ( that aren't right at the rim ). In that area, Horford and Smith were a combined 1 - 7 FG. Almost every shot taken in that area was due to an ISO play called for Horford or Smoove. But they're so worried about Howard coming from the other side to challenge their shot, that they never get the type of look they need.

So it's my contention that for us to beat the Magic, Horford and Smith should concentrate more on offensive rebounds to score, and simply let JJ and Crawford do as much damage on the offensive end as they possibly can. He and Crawford are the only guys on this team that can create AND MAKE tough shots. So in a game like that, they need to be the primary scoring options ( even more than usual ). Keep Smoove and Horford around that rim, to challenge Howard for defensive rebounds and possibly get offensive putbacks, or even draw fouls.

Honestly folks, this was the same thing going on in the San Antonio game, with Duncan dominating, and our frontcourt disappearing, Smith and Horford HAVE to be set up on offense, in order for them to be efficient halfcourt offensive players. When asked to create their own shot, they can't make a decent percentage of those looks. Teams do not double team Smith and Horford, because of this. When the double doesn't come, they're forced to create their own shot, something that is not their strength. And because they're the primary rebounders on the team, a missed shot by them usually ends with the other team getting the defensive rebound.

In that same area within 10 feet in which we were 3 - 14 FG in the Orlando game, we were 4 - 12 FG in the San Antonio game. In that game, Smith and Horford were 0 - 5 FG. Two games vs 2 of the best big men in the league, and Smith and Horford were a combined 1 - 12 FG from within 10 feet.

The one thing about this team, is that outside of Smith ( sometimes ), we're not going to draw a ton of fouls and be able to stop runs by getting to the FT line. And we know that Smith doesn't get the calls even when he gets hit sometimes. So while people may not like it, we're better off just trying to "ugly" the game up vs Orlando, and let JJ be a heavy volume shooter. If he misses, he just misses. But if he misses, we may have a better chance at getting offensive rebounds off of his misses.

But when JJ is doubled, our perimeter guys ( Bibby, Marvin, Crawford, Mo ) MUST hit open shots. You can't miss open shots and expect to beat the Magic, because Howard is normally not going to give you a 2nd chance on that possession.

JJ just needs to try to go into SUPERSTAR MODE against Orlando. Don't worry about being called "selfish" or not a "team player". Just do what you have to do to win the game. If guys aren't going to make open shots, then I'd much rather see JJ take a tough shots ( because he can make those shots ),

Edited January 31, 2010 by northcyde

[Buzzard]

I agree that someone needs to step up against this team. And with the way they dominate us it will take more than one someone. It will really take a Kobe/Lebron like effort from a couple of players to offset Orlando's ability to score at will against us.

They just seem to somehow come up with an answer. So what if we hold Carter, Williams, Pietrus, and Barnes to 14 pts; they get 78 from Howard, Nelson, Lewis, and Anderson. Its obvious we have to score against this team. They are just to talented offensively for us to stop them.

Edited January 31, 2010 by Buzzard

[dhawk]

I like it although Woody probably wouldn't try it, but after the Magic destroy us for the fourth time this season, they should consider it if we face them in the playoffs because all bets are off at that point.