Adjustments for Cleveland Heading Into Game Five
Basketball is a game of matchups and adjustments but sometimes the best adjustment is no adjustment at all. The favored 67-15 Golden State Warriors had to do something after falling behind 2-1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals because it was clear that the slow down style of play that predominated in the first three games favored Cleveland. Golden State Coach Steve Kerr elected to try to speed up the tempo by going with a small lineup, replacing starting center Andrew Bogut with Andre Iguodala. The Cavaliers promptly took a 7-0 lead in game four by taking advantage of their size inside but the Warriors took control after the Cavaliers went small to match up with Golden State's small lineup; Golden State won 103-82 to even up the series.In my newest article at The Roar, I explain why Cleveland's best adjustment now is no adjustment at all, but rather sticking with the team's strengths and forcing the Warriors to match up with them or get pounded in the paint:
Cleveland Needs LeBron--and Timofey Mozgov's Height--to Win the Title
Labels: Cleveland Cavaliers, David Blatt, Golden State Warriors, LeBron James, Steve Kerr, Timofey Mozgov
posted by David Friedman @ 6:23 PM
6 Comments:
I actualy am sorry to point this out becausei i respect your objective analysis and historical (factual) knowledge of this game that we all love.
Igoudala actually started for the warriors last year...
Great call again... this is what objective analysis of the game is all about
Well Blatt did the exact opposite, played small ball which worked for 3 quarters then fell apart in the 4th. There were some crucial, crucial offense rebounds that ultimately decided the game. Blatt then got blasted in the post game interview.
They'll probably go back to Mosgov in game 6 but if the Warriors continue to shoot effectively, it won't make a difference.
Jackson888:
The sentence in question now refers to Iguodala not starting any games this regular season with Kerr as head coach.
I reread your article. I might have been mistaken when i made that comment. Sorry for that.
Your analysis is brilliant. I also believe that coach Blatt should have game planned around his advantages rather than adjusting while giving up his team's overwhelming advantage (board control both offensive and defensive).
It is very interesting to note how the two coaches reacted to these 2 game situations both of which happened in the first few minutes of the first quarter of games 4 and 5.
Kerr made a tactical switch by starting Igoudala to maxmize Igoudala's minutes opposite James defensively and quicken the pace offensively. Cavs started out hot, grabbed multiple offensive boards, zoomed to 7 to nil lead and generally had the whole stadium rocking. Kerr called a timeout but stuck to the same lineup upon play resumption.
Blatt substituted Mozgov and did not field him back for the rest of the first half when the wariors zoomed to 8 to 2 lead. Cavs lost their foremost rim protector, lane clogger, offensive rebouner and James's effective pick and roll partner.
David, please disregard my previous comment as it was discussed in your latest article.
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