In playoffs, who's the #2 option?

[The One]

So we know that teams will blitz and swarm IT during the playoffs, to make him give up the ball.  And that means the rest of the team will have to step up and hit the open shots

Who do you think is the best bet to take the pressure off our MVP?

[Donoghus]

It should be Horford but I could easily see AB being the guy.

[mmmmm]

Horford, as the high post pivot, will likely be the default 'second option playmaker' when IT gets swarmed.  But he may or may not be the 2nd option _scorer_.  That will probably depend on match ups.

Al is a great safety valve because he's easy to get the ball to.  In some games, he'll have a good match up and be the scorer.  In others, he'll dish.

I actually would expect Avery to continue to be the default #2 _scorer_.

But in some games, who knows?  It might Jae or Kelly who drops 20 points.

[pearljammer10]

Horford.

[Chris22]

#2 option?
Whoever is open.

[straightouttabahstun]

It could be any of Al/Jae/AB/KO honestly. There's been enough improvement in our core players/they are starting to show consistency. Plus it helps that they've been in the playoffs for the past two years. I think any of those 4 are ready to step up, which is why I'm confident they'll make it into the second round, especially if it's one of Charlotte/Indiana/Chicago.

[saltlover]

Definitely Horford, who can either hit jumper if he's left open, or easily find the open man as a result of the double team on Isaiah.

I knew Horford would be a good passer when we got him, but I didn't realize how good he'd be at finding the open man.  I'm sure a team will try to hound Isaiah early on in a series, but if we're healthy, I expect they won't find it effective, and shortly give it up but for an occasional surprise possession or two.

[Evantime34]

Horford, we actually already run most of our offense through him anyway.

However, if a team's strategy is to double team IT in the pick and roll, the C's gameplan will be similar to what they did against the Hawks. Have Olynyk or Horford slip the screen for open 3's.

This is the reason I was so happy about the Hawks game last week. They defended us in the same way that shut our offense down in the playoffs last year, except this year we had the shooting to make them pay for putting 4 guys strong side on every pick and roll.

[chilidawg]

#2 option?
Whoever is open.

Exactly.  Move the ball.  We have a number of good shooters, which is what makes us so much better this year.

[Moranis]

Carmelo Anthony?

[The One]

Carmelo Anthony?

Exactly, he would be a dynamite option.

[MasterEmile]

Horford, we actually already run most of our offense through him anyway.

However, if a team's strategy is to double team IT in the pick and roll, the C's gameplan will be similar to what they did against the Hawks. Have Olynyk or Horford slip the screen for open 3's.

This is the reason I was so happy about the Hawks game last week. They defended us in the same way that shut our offense down in the playoffs last year, except this year we had the shooting to make them pay for putting 4 guys strong side on every pick and roll.

I agree mostly.  But this year we have bradley, KO , Horford and (healthy) crowder, which is basically all of our shooters, swarming IT wasn't supposed to be even an option last year but we couldn't keep out team healthy.