Author Topic: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?  (Read 2252 times)

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Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« on: May 22, 2018, 12:49:07 AM »

Offline CelticsElite

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The guy is able to completely stop horford from scoring, rebounding, or running offense. Also our other players play different

What are Thompsons weaknesses? I read a lot of cavs forums.. The guy can't hit a jumper outside 5 ft. Why can't we contain this guy or make his defense ineffective. I'm going to go ahead and guess its because we're focused on lebron, love, and korver and that causes us to sputter on Thompson

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2018, 12:51:54 AM »

Offline Ogaju

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you can’t teach size

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2018, 12:55:22 AM »

Offline Beat LA

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Well, for starters, Thompson is stronger than Horford, so he can push Al off of his favorite spots, whether that's in terms of passing or scoring, but the real reason as to why Thompson has consistently destroyed the Celtics over the years is primarily due to our stupid "switch everything" "defense" ::).

It's tough enough for anyone not named Baynes, at this point, to check Thompson off of the offensive glass, but when the only obstacle between him and an offensive rebound is someone like Rozier, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Morris, and/or Horford, well, barbecue chicken alert ;D.

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2018, 01:02:40 AM »

Offline Chris22

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Baynes needs to start.

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2018, 02:07:14 AM »

Offline bknova

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Well, for starters, Thompson is stronger than Horford, so he can push Al off of his favorite spots, whether that's in terms of passing or scoring, but the real reason as to why Thompson has consistently destroyed the Celtics over the years is primarily due to our stupid "switch everything" "defense" ::).

It's tough enough for anyone not named Baynes, at this point, to check Thompson off of the offensive glass, but when the only obstacle between him and an offensive rebound is someone like Rozier, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Morris, and/or Horford, well, barbecue chicken alert ;D.

its the other way around, he's not stronger than Al, just more athletic. 

our "stupid switching everything " defense was number 1 in the league and got us here.

this is fair weather fan nonsense, its awesome when it works, but its "stupid defense" when it doesn't.
This "stupid switching" got us through the first two rounds. 

But now we're playing the greatest basketball player in the world.  You need to reevaluate your critique. What won us all these games and got us this far without our two best players doesn't compare when you're playing the greatest player in the world. The "stupid switching everything defense" is ludicrous because its already been proven that method has actually gotten us this far. We're just dealing with one of the most dominant and cerebral players in the history of the game.  Sometime you just have to tip your hat.   
« Last Edit: May 22, 2018, 02:23:09 AM by bknova »

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2018, 07:41:32 AM »

Online Smartacus

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Thompson has been borderline out of the Cavs rotation at times but there is one aspect of the game that he excels at... If you run a large portion of your offense through a highly skilled PF/C, Thompson is going to do everything in his power to negate that player.

Most teams don't run much action through a guy like Horford because they don't have a player like Horford, so most of the time Thompson's impact is marginalized. But when the Cavs go up against an Al Horford lead offense there's essentially no player you could put in that spot that would do a better job at taking Al out of what he does best.

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2018, 07:44:30 AM »

Offline Androslav

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Because Thomson plays with Lebron and because TT tries hard.
That's it, no mystery.
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Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2018, 07:59:22 AM »

Offline Jvalin

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LeBron-Thompson is a great pick n roll combo.

Horford is quick enough to guard the pick n roll, but he gets outmuscled in the paint(-->rebounds).

The opposite goes for Baynes. He is strong enough, but he is too slow to guard the pick n roll.

Normally we 'd put Theis on Thompson. Unfortunately he is injured. :(

« Last Edit: May 22, 2018, 08:23:53 AM by Jvalin »

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2018, 08:22:28 AM »

Offline mr. dee

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Yabusele have both muscles and speed to keep up with Thompson. But he needs more seasoning before he becomes a regular rotation player, let alone assign to guard Tristan consistently.

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2018, 08:25:16 AM »

Offline celticinorlando

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TT will suck ball vs every other team in the NBA but will come out and play like his is a Hall of Famer vs Boston. Always.

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2018, 09:33:25 AM »

Offline td450

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Tatum and Morris are the guys who have to up their game on Thompson. They just aren't locating him and boxing out.

Horford isn't usually on him. I'm not sure what's up with Tatum. He's looked like a deer in the headlights out there. Multiple times he was caught standing and watching, and got burned. We are going to need him to get re-engaged.

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2018, 09:40:40 AM »

Online Atzar

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Tatum and Morris are the guys who have to up their game on Thompson. They just aren't locating him and boxing out.

Horford isn't usually on him. I'm not sure what's up with Tatum. He's looked like a deer in the headlights out there. Multiple times he was caught standing and watching, and got burned. We are going to need him to get re-engaged.

This isn't new with him.  It was an issue in the Milwaukee series as well.  He's a solid on-ball defender, though Lebron can just run over him.  But off-ball he relaxes and can give up some good looks, especially when he's responsible for a guy like Korver who moves a lot.  And he lacks physicality and awareness on the glass.  He arrives late and doesn't battle consistently enough.  These are things to fix going forward.

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2018, 09:55:01 AM »

Offline PhoSita

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In Games 3 and 4, three pointers by Tatum, Rozier, Morris, Brown, Smart, Baynes:

12 for 39 ... 30.77%


In Games 3 and 4, three pointers by Love, Hill, Smith, Korver, Green, Clarkson

21-49 ... 42.86%



WHY CAN'T STEVENS FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE GUYS HIT SHOTS AND OTHER GUYS MISS SHOTS?


There are a lot of factors here, but the make/miss league thing comes to mind and it seems to be the biggest one.
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Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2018, 05:50:06 PM »

Offline Beat LA

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Well, for starters, Thompson is stronger than Horford, so he can push Al off of his favorite spots, whether that's in terms of passing or scoring, but the real reason as to why Thompson has consistently destroyed the Celtics over the years is primarily due to our stupid "switch everything" "defense" ::).

It's tough enough for anyone not named Baynes, at this point, to check Thompson off of the offensive glass, but when the only obstacle between him and an offensive rebound is someone like Rozier, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Morris, and/or Horford, well, barbecue chicken alert ;D.

its the other way around, he's not stronger than Al, just more athletic.
 

I'm not sure about that, but Thompson is at least a bit longer in terms of wingspan, so that doesn't exactly help our cause, either, plus, the guy has long been one of the best offensive rebounders in the game, so it's not like this should be any kind of a shock/surprise as it's not exactly his first rodeo, lol ;D.

Quote
our "stupid switching everything " defense was number 1 in the league and got us here.

this is fair weather fan nonsense, its awesome when it works, but its "stupid defense" when it doesn't.
This "stupid switching" got us through the first two rounds.

One, with respect to your first fine, above, we said the same thing last year, and Thompson still killed us on da boards ;D; two, I've never been a proponent of the "switch everything" "defense", rain or shine, and three, are you honestly attributing the ability of the Celtics to get to the ECF solely on their use of said "defensive strategy"? Really - that's what got us through the first two rounds and not our talent? :o I realize that this is not an either/or type of question, but at the same time, come on ::)

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But now we're playing the greatest basketball player in the world.  You need to reevaluate your critique.

Nope.

Quote
What won us all these games and got us this far without our two best players doesn't compare when you're playing the greatest player in the world. The "stupid switching everything defense" is ludicrous because its already been proven that method has actually gotten us this far.

Hold on - did you just inadvertently contradict yourself, there?

Quote
We're just dealing with one of the most dominant and cerebral players in the history of the game.


No argument, there, lol ;D, but it doesn't exactly help that Boston is playing an incredibly stupid brand of basketball, at least imo, anyway, which I realize doesn't exactly count for much, if anything, here, hehe ;D.

Re: Why can't Stevens figure out how to stop Thompson?
« Reply #14 on: May 22, 2018, 07:01:19 PM »

Offline rocknrollforyoursoul

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The guy is able to completely stop horford from scoring, rebounding, or running offense. Also our other players play different

What are Thompsons weaknesses? I read a lot of cavs forums.. The guy can't hit a jumper outside 5 ft. Why can't we contain this guy or make his defense ineffective. I'm going to go ahead and guess its because we're focused on lebron, love, and korver and that causes us to sputter on Thompson

Thompson has no offensive game outside of the restricted circle, and I really think he can't keep up with Horford when Al's out at the 3pt line.

He is, however, a rebounding beast, and for whatever reason, he seems to play his best against Boston nearly every time out. I think Baynes needs to be out there, and needs to make boxing out Thompson his No. 1 priority.
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