We are a defensive team which is why Herb is such a great asset. CJ is the weak link in our teams strength.
This percentage has increased to 71%
Teams score 71% of the time while
Guarded by Christian James McCollum https://t.co/V3xs2d39wn— Ryan Jatho (@RyanTalksHoops) April 25, 2024
by LAlostcajun
10 Comments
Honestly, I don’t really care anymore. I would love to steal a game or two for the sake of the fanbase, but I really just want to properly build around Herb, Trey, and Z.
Our team is like a hodgepodge of random assets we just happened to stumble into. There’s good pieces all around, but they don’t work together. I’d gladly take a less talented team if it means we actually flow on either side of the ball
“aging 3rd option guard who is forced to play 40+ minutes a game as 1st option getting even worse on defense”
Two truths:
CJ is a very limited defender
These stats are trash
He’s never been a good defensive player and his age is beginning to show.
Should’ve kept NAW and Josh Hart tbh.
The scheme is also an enormous issue. OKC has two defenders they want on BI at all time, Dort and Williams. They fight over every screen, which has led to numerous moving screen turnovers. They stay attached at all costs. If the screen is set well enough that the screener’s defender has to step up, Dort and Williams stay with BI, and the proper rotations happen behind them.
On the other side, Herb is doing a really good job on SGA. When he is actually the primary defender, SGA is having to work really hard and not getting much. Because of our scheme, all the Thunder has to do is casually walk by Herb, and we are switching. SGA spent most of last night with CJ, Jose, Nance, or JV in front of him. He either went right around CJ, Nance, and JV or right over Jose when we didn’t send help. When we did send help, they wound up with a layup or wide open three. They targeted CJ and JV most of the night, and we just let it happen. Those two are terrible defenders, but that is on coaching.
This stat is trash. Basketball is a team sport and you don’t blame on only one person. The team should have done better on helping him on defense.
“Ain’t gonna be no lay ups as long as I’m around” -Cj McCollum
His offense is atrocious too
He has withered away to nothing under the pressure of a playoff atmosphere